Chong Wei tawan Terbuka Korea (Utusan Malaysia)ba

aksi Chong Wei merai kejayaannya menumpaskan pemain Denmark, Peter Gade pada perlawanan akhir Terbuka Korea di Seoul, semalam. Chong Wei menang 21-12, 21-11. – AP

KUALA LUMPUR – Pemain No. 1 dunia, Datuk Lee Chong Wei hanya memerlukan 34 minit ketika menjuarai Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Korea, selepas mudah membenam pemain veteran Denmark, Peter Hoeg Gade pada perlawanan akhir, semalam.

Selepas mempamerkan permainan meyakinkan ke atas pemain China, Chen Jin pada perlawanan separuh akhir kelmarin, Chong Wei meneruskan kecemerlangan bagi meraih kejuaraan sulung kejohanan musim ini, dengan kemenangan straight set 21-12, 21-11.

Kejayaan tersebut bakal menyemarakkan lagi impian Chong Wei, 27, untuk terus memburu gelaran apabila turun mempertahankan kejuaraan Siri Super Terbuka Malaysia, di sini bermula Rabu ini.

Chong Wei, yang tidak beraksi pada Sukan SEA XXV di Laos Disember lalu ,akibat kecederaan lutut, awal-awal lagi melaungkan amaran kepada Gade, selepas meninggalkan lawannya itu, 9-2 pada set pertama.

Walaupun cuba bangkit, Gade gagal merapatkan kedudukan mata, dan pada satu ketika tersekat dengan kedudukan 15-6, sebelum Chong Wei memenangi set pertama 21-12.

Menyedari dia tiada pilihan, Gade cuba bangkit pada set kedua dengan mengutip mata awal sehingga meninggalkan Chong Wei 4-2.

Namun, ketinggalan dua mata tidak menghalang semangat pemain negara kelahiran pemain Pulau Pinang itu.

Sokongan padu penyokong yang rata-rata pelajar Malaysia yang menuntut di negara tersebut, ternyata membangkitkan semangat Chong Wei untuk kembali mengejar lawannya, sehingga mengikat kedudukan 4-4.

Mulai detik itu, Chong Wei tidak lagi memandang ke belakang, apabila semakin menjarakkan kedudukan mata ke atas pemain berusia 34 tahun itu 13-4.

Gade cuba bangkit merapatkan kedudukan 15-11, bagaimanapun ia sudah terlambat.

Chong Wei akhirnya dinobat sebagai juara kejohanan apabila memenangi set kedua 21-11, sekali gus mencipta sejarah sebagai pemain Malaysia pertama merangkul gelaran kejohanan tersebut.

Sementara itu, China masih menguasai kejohanan itu walaupun tanpa kehadiran bintang utamanya seperti Lin Dan dan Bao Chunlai, apabila merangkul tiga daripada lima gelaran yang dipertandingkan.

Pemain perseorangan wanita mereka, Wang Shixian muncul juara selepas mengenepikan pemain tuan rumah, Sung Ji Hyun 21-10, 25-23.

Bagaimanapun, dendam Korea berbalas dalam saingan beregu lelaki, apabila pilihan utama, Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae mengetepikan cabaran pasangan China, Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng 21-11, 14-21, 21-18.

Selain perseorangan wanita China turut meraih gelaran melalui beregu wanita apabila Cheng Shu-Zhao Yunlei menang ke atas pasangan Jepun, Fuji Mizuki-Kakiiwa Reika 21-16, 21-15

Pasangan He Hanbin-Yu Yang mengetepikan rakan senegara, Tao Jiaming- Zhang Yawen dalam aksi beregu campuran 21-15, 21-16.

Chong Wei jumpa Chen Jin (Utusan Malaysia)

KUALA LUMPUR - Berseorangan memikul cabaran Malaysia tidak menghalang jaguh No. 1 dunia, Datuk Lee Chong Wei untuk meneruskan kemaraan ke separuh akhir Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Korea, semalam.

Chong Wei semakin menghampiri sejarah peribadi, menjadi pemain Malaysia pertama menang di Korea, namun laluannya tidak mudah apabila bakal berdepan jaguh China, Chen Jin di separuh akhir hari ini.

Semalam, dia mudah mengetepikan jaguh Thailand, Boonsak Ponsana 21-14, 21-10 hanya dalam masa 33 minit.

Chen Jin, pilihan ketiga kejohanan juga tidak menghadapi banyak masalah ketika membenam cabaran pemain utama Vietnam, Nguyen Tien Minh 21-7, 21-19.

Chong Wei bagaimanapun memiliki kelebihan psikologi ke atas Chen Jin apabila menewaskan jaguh China itu 21-15, 22-20 dalam pertemuan terakhir pada separuh akhir Terbuka Indonesia, Jun tahun lalu.

"Terbuka Korea salah satu daripada empat kejuaraan Siri Super yang masih belum pernah saya menangi, jadi saya cuba memenanginya kali ini.

"Menentang Chen Jin tidak mudah, malah pertemuan terakhir kami berlangsung dengan sengit, namun saya melakukan persiapan yang cukup untuk menghadapi kejohanan ini, harap saya dapat melakukan yang terbaik esok,'' kata Chong Wei.

Malaysia menghantar tujuh perseorangan lelaki pada Terbuka Korea, kejohanan termahal dalam kalendar Siri Super yang menawarkan AS$300,000 (RM1.02 juta).

Namun, hanya Chong Wei berjaya melangkah ke peringkat suku akhir dan kemudian ke separuh akhir.

Kuang Beng Heong tersingkir di pusingan kedua, Tan Cun Seang dan Chong Wei Feng kandas di pusingan pertama, manakala Arif Latif, Liew Daren dan Pei Wei Fung semuanya terkeluar di peringkat kelayakan.

Sementara itu, satu lagi saingan separuh akhir perseorangan lelaki menemukan jaguh Denmark dan penyandang juara, Peter Hoeg Gade dengan dan pemain muda China, Chen Long.

Gade yang menumpaskan Chong Wei ketika menjuarai Terbuka Korea 2009 mara selepas dipaksa berhempas pulas untuk menundukkan pemain tuan rumah, Park Sung Hwa 17-21, 21-16, 22-20.

Chen Long pula tidak perlu turun ke gelanggang untuk melangkah ke separuh akhir selepas diberi kemenangan percuma oleh rakan senegara, Bao Chunlai.

Dalam saingan perseorangan wanita, tiga pemain tuan rumah mendominasi saingan separuh akhir diketuai Sung Ji Hyun yang akan bertemu rakan senegara, Bae Seung Hee, manakala Kim Moon Hi berdepan pemain China, Wang Shixian.

Chong Wei Will Not Have It Easy Winning Sixth Malaysian Open Title (BERNAMA)

SHAH ALAM, Jan 5 (Bernama) -- Datuk Lee Chong Wei will not have it easy winning his sixth Malaysian Open Super Series title when this year's edition of the tournament kicks off on Jan 19 at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil here.

The first round should not be a problem for the world's top ranked men's singles player as he will be facing England's Rajiv Ouseph but the formidable Park Sung Hwan of South Korea stands in his way in the second round.

Should he get past Park, it is likely that he will face Chen Jin of China in the last eight and either Taufik Hidayat (Indonesia) or Bao Chunlai (China) in the semis.

His arch foe, Lin Dan (World Number Two), however,is not expected to face any difficulty in making the final with his biggest obstacles being Simon Santoso (Indonesia) or Peter Gade Christensen (Denmark).

National singles coach Rashid Sidek admitted as such.

"Nevertheless, I am still hoping Chong Wei will perform well to grab his sixth Malaysian Open title," he told reporters after attending the draw for the tournament, which offers overall prize money of USD250,000 (RM846,250), here Tuesday.

On injuries Chong Wei experienced lately, Rashid said the Beijing Olympics silver medallist had recovered and was undergoing training as normal.

"He (Chong Wei) will also be taking part in the Korean Open whick kicks off on Tuesday and I am certain he is fully prepared," added Rashid.

Chong Wei won the Malaysian Open Super Series in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009.

As for the men's doubles, Malaysia's top pair Koo Kean Keat-Tan Boon Heong are not expected to face much difficulty in reaching the last four where they are likely to meet Indonesia pair Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan.

South Korean crack pair Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae on the other hand are expected to breeze into the final.

-- BERNAMA

Men's Singles Badminton Fail In First Round (BERNAMA)

From Jumiati Rosly ', TEXTFONT, 'Verdana, Arial, Helvetica', TEXTSIZE, '1', WIDTH, 75)" onmouseout="nd()">VIENTIANE, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's challenge in the badminton men's singles at the Laos SEA Games ended as early as in the first round when Muhammad Hafiz Hashim and Liew Daren lost their matches at Gymnasium 1, National Sports Complex, here.

Without the presence of world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Malaysia had to forget about a gold medal in the men's singles.

However, Malaysia's men's doubles pairs of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Mohd Fairuzizuan Tazari-Mohd Zakry Latif, and women's singles Wong Mew Choo and Lydia Cheah will be in the quarter-finals Tuesday.

So will the women's doubles pairs of Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui and Woon Khe Wei-Chong Sook Chin, and mixed double pairs of Koo Kien Keat-Wong Pei Tty and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying.

Hafiz lost to Sony Dwi Kuncoro for the second time in a row in a three-set match with scores of 12-21, 21-19, 14-21.

The chance given to Liew Daren to fill the vacancy left by Chong Wei failed to bear fruit when the young player lost to an unknown, Vietnam's Nguyen Hoang Hai 9-21, 15-21.

In the women's singles, Mew Choo was given a bye in the opening round, but will face a still fight in a quarter-final match Tuesday Olympic bronze medallist, Maria Kristin from Indonesia.

Lydia beat Nhung Le Nguyen from Vietnam, 14-21, 21-12, 21-12, to face Zhang Beiwen from Singapore.

Malaysia's number one doubles Kien Keat-Boon Heong, however, had to go into the third set to defeat Bodin Isara-Maneepong Jongjit 14-21, 21-12, 23-21, while Mohd Fairuzizuan-Mohd Zakry had to fight hard to overcome Vietnam's Bui Bang Duc-Dao Manh Thang 21-15, 18-21, 21-10.

After Sunday's victory in the women's team event, Khe Wei returned to her original partner Chong Sook Chin and defeated Khonesanith Inthavanh-Manivone Meungchaleun 21-8, 21-11.

Pei Tty-Eei Hui, who received a bye in the first round, will face Frances Liu-Vanesa Neo from Singapore Tuesday.

Malaysia will also continue its challenge in the mixed doubles after Kien Keat-Pei Tty defeated Jeffrey Wong-Fu Mingtian from Singapore 21-17, 21-10, while Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying beat the Vietnames pair of Duong Bao Duc-Thai Thi Hong 21-15, 21-11.

-- BERNAMA

BWF Mull More Suitable Date For Super Series Masters Final (BERNAMA)

JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- Badminton World Federation (BWF) has concluded that twelve months in a calendar year was not enough to complete the Super Series which culminate into the Masters Final.

So, in their bid to find a suitable date for their year end Super Series Masters Final which is the crown jewel in their calendar with a total prize money of US$500,000 (RM1.75 million), the BWF might have to extend the season by another month.

As a result, the next Masters Final could be held in January, since the BWF calendar has a tight schedule and the fact that the dates had clashed with a number of other events, which saw a spate of withdrawals for the just concluded five-day championship at the City Council Indoor stadium here.

China in particular, did not send their big names, citing the need for their best to be in Hong Kong for the East Asia Games while Indonesia had also decided to give their top players a break, to prepare for the SEA Games, next week.

"We are aware that 2010 is going to be another hectic year for badminton with the Thomas/Uber Cup finals and the Super Series. There is also the Commonwealth Games in India in October and the Asian Games in Guangzhou in late November.

"So we have to find a more suitable date which would allow the best players to have some breathing space to take part in the Super Series Masters Final," said Darren Parks, the event director of BWF.

And January of the following year is being mulled as the possible date for the richest event in the BWF calendar.

The Super Series Masters Final is the culmination of the Super Series event, where the top eight ranked players in their respective events after the completion of the series, qualify to play based on merit points.

"And we also looking into the possibility of the Master Finals being moved elsewhere after two consecutive years in Malaysia," added Parks.

Critics claimed that the 2009 Masters Final was a dull affair due to the lack of big names and crowd here at the City Council Indoor stadium but Parks rebuffed such notion.

"We had Lee Yong Dae-Jung Jae Sung, the world's top men's doubles and Boe Mathias-Carsten Morgensen of Denmark who contested a worthy final, we had Lee Chong Wei, Peter Gade and Taufik Hidayat in the men's singles, three of the most accomplished singles players in the world.

"Maybe the women's singles was affected by the absence of the top Chinese players but overall I thought it was a credible field out there. As to the crowd, I can sympathize with the BA of Malaysia.

"But to be fair, they only had one month to prepare for the championship and the lack of publicity surrounding the event was understandable. But we still had a good turn-out in the final," added Parks.

-- BERNAMA

BWF Mull Compulsory Participation For Players In Super Series Masters Final (BERNAMA)

JOHOR BAHARU, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- In the wake of big names snubbing the US$500,000 (RM1.75 million) Super Series Masters Final here, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) are taking a deeper look at how to prevent a recurrence in future championships.

The Masters Final, the culmination of the Super Series, has already been hit by the absence of big names from China like Lin Dan, the current Olympic, World and All England champion, women's world number one Wang Yihan, reigning world men's doubles champions Cai Yun- Fu Haifeng since China had decided to send their best shuttlers to the East Asia Games starting in Hong Kong on Dec 5.

Also absent from the list are Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Beijing Olympics gold medal winning pair Hendra Setiawan-Markis Kido from Indonesia, due to their priority for the Laos SEA Games that starts on Dec 9.

It is reliably learnt that the BWF, the world governing body for badminton, are looking at a couple of proposals submitted by their marketing partner, Octagon Asia Ltd, to counter check, if not eradicate, the problem in future.

Among proposals submitted by the Beijing-based company which won the marketing rights a couple of months ago, is to impose hefty fines on those who pulled out, unless on medical grounds.

As things stand, the present BWF ruling on withdrawals is merely a US$250 fine.

"Compulsory participation is the key, otherwise you will be hurt in the pocket. That's basically what the proposal has suggested," said a BWF source.

But the BWF themselves are caught in a bind, just like the dilemma faced by the world's best shuttlers because on one hand there is the obligation to their respective nations and the other, their commitment to the game from which they earn a living.

"Perhaps it's just pure bad timing this year. This is the Sea Games period and also the East Asia Games, two of the biggest regional Games in their respective regions.

"I am sure if these two Games were not being held around the same time as the Super Series Masters Final, things would have been different. But perhaps we will have to look at a more appropriate date in future," said the source.



--BERNAMA

Chong Wei Wins Hong Kong Open (BERNAMA)

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- The world's number one shuttler, Datuk Lee Chong Wei beat Denmark's Peter Gade Christensen in the men's singles final at the Hong Kong Open Super Series Sunday.

The Malaysian top singles player, however, was made to sweat for 58 minutes before defeating Peter Gade in three sets of 21-13, 13-21, 21-16.

Chong Wei displayed his mastery when he won the first set 21-13 before Peter Gade used his vast experience to clinch the second set with a similar scoreline and forcing the decider.

But Chong Wei succeeded in overcoming the former world number one and the championship's third seed when he won 21-16 in the decider.

The victory would certainly boost Chong Wei's confidence when he competes in the China Open Super Series beginning Tuesday.

It was also Chong Wei's sixth win this year after emerging as champion in the Malaysia, Switzerland and Indonesian Open Super Series; besides the Macau and Malaysia Open Gold Grand Prix.

Chong Wei was Malaysia's sole representative in the finals after the Malaysian men's doubles pair of Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah and women's doubles, Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty faltered in the semifinals yesterday.

The full results are as follows:

Men's singles: Lee Chong Wei (MAS) bt Peter Gade Christensen (DEN) 21-13, 13-21, 21-16

Men's doubles: Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae (KOR) bt Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen (DEN) 13-21, 21-15, 21-8

Women's singles: Wan Yihan (CHN) bt Jiang Yanjiao (CHN) 21-13, 21-15

Women's doubles: Du Jing-Yu Yang (CHN) bt Ma Jin-Wang Xiaoli (CHN) 16-21, 21-19, 21-12

Mixed doubles: Robert Mateusiak-Nadiezda Kostiuczyk (POL) bt Nova Widianto-Liliyana Natsir (INA) 22-20, 21-16.

-- BERNAMA

Fairuzizuan-Zakry’s Masters Finals hopes in tatters after first-round loss (The Star Online)

Thursday November 12, 2009

By LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian doubles pair Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif can kiss goodbye to their hopes of competing in the Super Series Masters Finals in Terengganu next month after crashing out in the first round of the Hong Kong Open yesterday.

The World Championships bronze medallists put up a lacklustre display in their opening match to go down 17-21, 12-21 to England’s Anthony Clark-Nathan Robertson in 29 minutes.

Gone in 29 minutes: Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif (left) and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari were sent packing by England’s Anthony Clark-Nathan Robertson.

Fairuzizuan-Zakry needed to reach the quarter-finals here and at the China Open the following week to improve on their currrent 12th spot in the Super Series rankings to have any chance of earning qualification.

Only the top eight pairs will qualify for the Masters Finals, to be held from Dec 3-6.

National doubles coach Rosman Razak said Fairuzizuan-Zakry had put themselves in a difficult spot.

“They will have to make the semi-finals of the China Open and even then they can only hope to get into the Masters Finals through the backdoor (if any of the pairs above them withdraw),” Rosman said in a telephone interview from Hong Kong.

Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong won the inaugural Masters Finals in Kota Kinabalu last year while Fairuzizuan-Zakry were the beaten semi-finalists.

Malaysia’s title hopes now rest on Kien Keat-Boon Heong, who overcame former world champions Tony Gunawan-Howard Bach of the United States 21-19, 21-16 to join veterans Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah and Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng in the second round.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong will have to tread with caution when they play Indonesian youngsters Yonathan Suryatama Dasuki-Rian Sukmawan, the Japan Open runners-up, in the second round today.

World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, returning to action after a one-month lay-off due to a knee injury, was impressive in brushing aside Hong Kong’s Ng Wei 21-9, 21-12 in 30 minutes.

Chong Wei, who is hoping to capitalise on the absence of Olympic champion Lin Dan of China, by reaching the final and protect his lead at the top of the world rankings, will play China’s Du Pengyu for a place in the last eight.

The quarter-finals should see Chong Wei going up against Vietnam’s Nguyen Tien Minh or team-mate Mohd Hafiz Hashim, who defeated Japan’s Sho Sasaki 21-16, 21-7 yesterday.

Chong Wei’s path to the final was also made easier with the elimination of fourth seed Chen Jin of China.

Chen Jin, who was slated to take on Chong Wei in the semi-finals, was forced to concede a walkover to Hu Yun of Hong Kong due to an injury after losing the first game.

Wong Choong Hann suffered his fifth straight first-round defeat in the Super Series when he was sent packing 21-16, 19-21, 14-21 by former Asian junior champion Kenichi Tago of Japan.

Women’s singles player Wong Mew Choo also crashed out in the first round, going down 15-21, 19-21 to top Dane Tine Rasmussen.

Laluan mudah Fairuz-Zakry (Berita Harian Online)

Fairuzizuan Tazari

Kien Keat- Pei Tty turut mara dalam aksi beregu campuran

KECEWA minggu lalu mahu cepat diubati gandingan Fairuzizuan Tazari - Mohd Zakry Latif yang melakar kemenangan mudah pada pusingan pertama, badminton Siri Super Terbuka Perancis di Stadium Pierre de Coubertin, Paris, semalam.

Turut mengejar misi sama ialah Hafiz Hashim yang mengekang tentangan sengit pemain veteran Hong Kong, Ng Wei untuk akhirnya menang 21-18, 21-17 dalam masa 36 minit.

Fairuzizuan-Zakry - pilihan kelima yang kalah di pusingan kedua Terbuka Denmark, minggu lalu - mempamer aksi mantap ketika membenam kombinasi Yonathan Sutyatama Dasuki-Rian Sukmawan 21-17, 21-16 dalam masa 24 minit.

Turut layak ialah beregu campuran negara, Koo Kien Keat-Wong Pei Tty yang menghasilkan corak aksi berkesan ketika mudah mengatasi lawan dari England, Nathan Robertson-Jenny Wallwork, 21-11, 21-11.

Satu lagi wakil negara yang turut ke pusingan kedua ialah pasangan Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui - pilihan utama acara beregu wanita - yang mendapat bye pusingan awal.

Namun, cabaran pemain perseorangan veteran negara, Wong Choong Hann tidak panjang apabila dia tunduk kepada pemain Hong Kong, Hu Yun selepas bersaing sengit 19-21, 17-21 dalam masa 39 minit.

Juara dunia yang juga pemenang pingat emas Sukan Olimpik, Lin Dan, langsung tidak menampakkan kemerosotan biarpun hanya beraksi kali pertama selepas Kejohanan Dunia di Hyderabad, tiga bulan lalu apabila menang 21-13, 21-9 ke atas pemain India, Anup Sridhar.

Malaysia kempunan raih kejuaraan badminton remaja dunia (Utusan Malaysia Online)

ARKIB : 27/10/2009

Oleh SHARIZA ABDULLAH
utusankedah@utusan.com.my

ALOR SETAR - Impian Malaysia untuk merangkul kejuaraan dunia tidak kesampaian selepas tumbang kepada juara bertahan, China pada perlawanan akhir acara berpasukan campuran Kejohanan Badminton Remaja Dunia di Stadium Tertutup Sultan Abdul Halim di sini, semalam.

Pada perlawanan akhir itu, skuad negara tewas 0-3 dalam saingan yang jelas dikuasai China.

Kejayaan China itu merupakan kali keempat selepas memenangi acara berpasukan itu pada tahun-tahun 2004, 2007 dan 2008.

Mata kemenangan pasukan China disumbangkan menerusi pasangan beregu campurannya, Lu Kai-Bao Yixin, Tian Houwei (perseorangan lelaki) dan beregu lelaki, Lu Kai-Liu Peixuan.

Meskipun diiringi sorakan padu penonton, pemain muda negara tidak berupaya meruntuhkan tembok besar China sejak awal permainan lagi apabila pasangan Ow Yao Han-Ng Hui Ern tewas mudah kepada pasangan Lu Kai-Bao Yixin 5-21, 19-21 dalam acara beregu campuran.

Harapan untuk menyaksikan Malaysia mengimbangi kedudukan mata menerusi pemain perseorangan lelaki, Muhammad Syawal Mohd. Ismail yang diturunkan selepas naib juara remaja Asia, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin tidak cergas sepenuhnya akibat keracunan makanan, berkecai apabila dihampakan Houwei.

Walaupun dilihat mampu menyaingi juara remaja Asia itu, Muhammad Syawal terpaksa akur dengan kekalahan 15-21, 23-25 bagi menjadikan kedudukan mata 2-0 kepada China.

Sandaran kepada pasangan beregu lelaki negara, Yao Han-Chooi Kah Ming untuk mencuri satu mata juga tidak kesampaian dengan kekalahan dalam permainan tiga set 12-21, 21-18, 17-22 kepada pasangan Lu Kai-Liu Peixuan.

"Secara peribadi saya agak kecewa kerana gagal merangkul kejuaraan, lebih-lebih lagi apabila beraksi di gelanggang sendiri. Pemain-pemain China beraksi lebih baik malam ini (malam tadi) dengan mempunyai pasukan yang kuat.

"Namun kekalahan ini akan dijadikan pengajaran dan pendorong kepada pemain-pemain untuk melakukan yang terbaik dalam acara individu selepas ini," kata ketua jurulatih, Sun Chenhua semalam.

Sultan Kedah, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah berkenan berangkat menyaksikan perlawanan akhir berkenaan dan menyampaikan hadiah kepada pemenang.

Dalam pada itu, cabaran pemain-pemain muda negara diteruskan apabila acara individu membuka gelanggangnya bermula esok sehingga 1 November ini.

Pada kejohanan sama di Pune, India tahun lalu, Malaysia membawa pulang kejuaraan beregu lelaki menerusi pasangan Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang dan sandaran untuk mempertahankan gelaran itu kini digalas pasangan Yao Han-Kah Ming serta Pang Zheng Lin-Goh Jian Hao.

Chenhua berkata, bagi acara perseorangan lelaki individu, semua empat pemain iaitu Iskandar, Muhammad Syawal, Zulfadli Zulkifli dan Misbun Ramadan Misbun disasarkan mara ke peringkat separuh akhir dalam pada menanti kejutan perseorangan wanita, Tee Jing Yi.

How to Be a Good Badminton Player

By Willie Ong

To become a good badminton player, beside Physical Skill, you also must have a Mental Strength. Mental Strength is very crucial especially when come to the tournament. Besides these, Sport Nutrition is also important especially for the player preparing for the tournament.

1. Physical Skill:

Let's start with the most fundamental of badminton skill, ie: Strokes, Steps/Footwork, Stamina, and Strategy.

Strokes:

The basic technique of badminton strokes includes Overheads forehand and backhand clear / smash / drop, drives, lifts, net shot. You are higher recommended to learn from the badminton demo video(see link at the bottom of this page). With the video, it will save you a lot of time learning all the basic strokes.

After you have learn the basic strokes, the next step you have to do is practice and practise. Without the ability to execute all the different strokes, one will not be a complete badminton player.

Steps/Footwork:

Steps/Footwork is always comes together with stroke. A good badminton must have a good coordination of footwork and strokes. This includes foot, body, arms, swing coordination.

Stamina:

A badminton can last anything from 15 minutes to 1 hour plus and there can be more than one game within a day. A completed badminton match is best of 3 games, that means you got to play at least 2 games continuously. Without good stamina, a badminton player will be unable to successfully execute his/her desired strokes or even cannot finish the game. Again, stamina need to be build over the time via regular training, workouts or exercises. Regular workout will also help to improve your game by increasing your arm strength.

Strategy:

With good badminton skill and stamina is not enough, you must also have a good strategy to win a game. you have to make the correct shot at the correct time, either a drop-shot, smash, or clear? This is also important to identify the weakest point of opponent. This is especially crucial for doubles game, you should identify your opponent weakness and attack the opponent who is weaker. This is the most simple strategy. If your opponent is weak on his/her backhand clear, then you should hit the shuttle towards his/her backhand more. To go one level higher, it is also important to make the correct choice for a series of return and to lay out a game plan for whole match. This is so called the strategy of a badminton game.

2. Mental Strength:

Besides physical skill, a good badminton player must have good mental strength as well. Mental strength is the ability to make the correct decision even when under pressure or at the crucial moment. For example, when one is down to 5-19, or reaching the match point, 20-20. The player must stay focus to the game regardless whether he/she is leaving behind, leading, or under huge pressure due to the internal or external factor (eg: audience). A good badminton player must also be able to change strategy during the game on different situation. A good badminton player will not go down without a fight and should be able to keep his pace and the accuracy of his shots until the very last point in the game. A good example would be the game in between Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan during the Malaysia Open 2006. Lin Dan was already leading 20-13 in the rubber game and this was a really difficult situation for Lee Chong Wei, But he handled the pressure well and showed a great fighting spirit, slowly clawing back in to the game. And Finally, he won the game by 23-21.

You also have to keep yourself calm in the court and with high EQ. Many incidents, good or bad, can happen during a match either outside or inside the court. For example, bad line calls, umpires decisions or insulted by the audience or even opponent coach. See The Athlete's Mind Guide(refer link below this page) .

3. Sport Nutrition

Beside physical skill and mental strength, Sport Nutrition (refer link at the bottom of this page) is also important especially for the player preparing for the tournament. On a day-to-day basis, you have to take care of your nutrition by consuming a well balanced diet comprising carbohydrate, fat, protein, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals and water. A Nutritionist can extend help in achieving this. Water should be consumed in just adequate amounts before, during and after play, ideally at the amounts required to quench the player's thirst.

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