China Masters 2009-Super Series

The Li Ning China Masters Super Series 2009 held at Changzhou from the 15th to 20th September ended with host nation China sweeping all 5 titles. China put up a splendid performance in the face of fierce competition from the main participating countries except for the Indonesians who did not participate.
Lin Dan and company proved that they were a force to be reckoned with, especially the up and coming young players such as Wang Shixian, Wang Lin, Wang Yihan and Wang Xin. Yes the Wang's are making a big impact in the badminton world. These are the future champions as they are young and hungry for success. Lin Dan and Wang Shixian captured the men's and women's singles golds respectively in the China Masters.
More of the game results are available at tarzenworld.com.

World Badminton Championships '09

The World Badminton Championships has seen a lot of actions, expectations and disappointments for the players in Hyderabad,India. Some big names were knocked out of the tournaments in the early rounds such as China's Bao Chunlai and China's woman's single player Wang Yihan. It was not their day and well better luck next time for these seeded players. Other seasoned players who were knocked out include Korean Park Sung Hwan and Danish player Joachim Persson who were seeded 8th and 7th respectively.
However some upsets by unseeded players like Denmark's Dan O Jorgensen's win over Park Sung Hwan and Germany's Juliane Schenk's win over Wang Yihan add to the excitement of the day.
As expected the top players went on to secure their places in the quarter-final. They inculde Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan, Peter Gade, Taufik, Chen Jin and Simon Santoso
The women's players include Xie Xingfang, Lu Lan, Zhou Mi, Saina Nehwal, Tine Rasmussen, Juliane Schenk and Pi Hongyan.
As we go through to the quarter-finals we should expect more excitements throughout the tournaments.

Detail updates at tarzenworld

Yonex-Sunrise World Badminton Championship

The World Badminton Championship was held in Hyderabad, a southern Indian city. The tournament was held at GMC Balayogi Stadium. The event was plaqued by terrorists threats resulting in the pull-out of the 8-man team from England. The Russian doubles pair of Valeri Sorokina and Nina Vislova withdrew from the event giving the organisers another headache. In the light of the situation security was enhanced around the tournament venue.
The Singapore team however was having some sort of mixed results. The men's doubles pair of Hendri Saputra and Hendra Wijaya defeated the Netherland's pair of Ruud Bosch and Koen Ridder with a 21-15, 19-21, 21-16 in the opening round. However in the ladie's singles Singapore's Fu Mingtian went down to Bulgaria's Linda Zechiri with a score of 21-15, 21-15.
In the men's singles world number one Lee Chong Wei cruised to 21-14, 21-10 over German player Dieter Domke into the 2nd round. In another game China's Lin Dan easily passed his Isreali opponent Misha Zilberman with 21-9, 21-11. But another Chinese player Bao Chunlai did not make it pass Dicky Palyama from the Netherlands. In the major upset Bao Chunlai lost 18-21, 14-21 in straight sets to the Dutch player.
Let's wait for more exciting results.

Aviva Open 2009- Finals Men's Singles

Sunday 14th June is the finals of the Aviva Open 2009. It was an exciting day at the Singapore Indoor Stadium with crowds filling up the seats on four sides of the stadium. The crowds filled the seats to huge capacity amidst the colorful cheering plastic clubs. The atmosphere was highly electrifying throughout the whole tournament from beginning to end.

I was fully entertained except for the men's doubles game between Indonesia and England. The Indonesian pair of Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan did not live up to their expectations. The game was a whitewashed in straight sets by the English pair of Anthony Clark and Nathan Robertson. The Indonesian Olympic champion was totally outclassed by the unseeded English pair. The score stood at 12-21, 11-21 . The Englishmen took home a price money of US$15,000.

In the women's double the chinese pair of Zhang Yawen and Zhao Tingting easily beat the Indonesian pair of Nitya Krishinda Maheswari and Greysia Polii in straight sets with a score of 21-14, 21-13. In the mixed doubles it was an All-China affair. The pair of Zheng Bo and Ma Jin performed better to take the game in the rubber against Xie Zhongbo and Zhang Yawen. The score stood at 19-21, 21-19 and 21-11. The champion pair took home US$15,800 with the runners-up taking home UD$7,600.

The main singles event in both the men's and ladies finals was the climax of the day. In the ladies singles game it was a 'fight' between Xie Xingfang and the ex-Chinese player Zhou Mi who now represents Hong Kong. She came out of retirement and in her desire to win this event she did it in a splendid way. She showed finesse and stamina to take the game to 3-sets in a class-performance to capture the title with a win of 21-19, 18-21 and 21-10. Zhou Mi pocketed a cool US$15,000 as ladies' singles champion.

The main attration was the last game of the day in the men's singles finals. It was a show that brought the whole stadium to live with support for both the Chinese and the Thai players. Although the game was interrupted by a few disputed line calls, it was indeed a perfect ending to a excellant performance by both players. Bao Chunlai stood tall and Boonsak Ponsana was well received by all spectators. The performance was one of 'world-class' with a rubber game that has displayed a string of impossible shots and retrieves by both players. The 3-set game ended at 21-19, 16-21 and 21-15. What a performance that I have witnessed! Bao Chunlai held the trophy and a check of US$15,000 that is equivalent to Singapore $22,000. Boonsak was happy with US$7,600 as a runner-up. The final game was a fitting grand finale in this Super Series. Viva Aviva!

video @ www.youtube.com/tarzenpeh

Aviva Open 2009-Quarter-finals

More upsets came our way in the Aviva Open in the quarter-finals. The first victim was Sony Dwi Kuncoro when he was stunned by the unseeded Korean Park Sung Hwan with a score of 21-19, 21-15 in straight sets. However Chinese player Bao Chunlai managed to tamed wild card Vietnames Nguyen Tien Minh with a convincing win 21-16, 21-13. Thai player Boonsak Ponsana advanced to the semi-finals when he trashed Indian player Anup Sridhar - 21-11, 21-8.
There was another upset in the ladies game. World N04 Wang Yihan was unceremoniously shown the exit when her compatriot Jiang Yanjiao won in straight sets 17-21, 11-21.
In another game Singapore's only survivor pair of Hendra Wijaya and Hendri Saputra lost to the Indonesian pair of Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan. The Singapore pair could not overcome the Olympic champion pair and it ended Singapore's only hope in this quarter-finals. They lost 20-22, 21-17, 21-18.
So let's see who will survive in the semi-finals. With such unpredictable outcome in the fast game of today, it is survival of the fitest!

Aviva Open Singapore- round 2 Super Series Upset

On the 2nd day of the Aviva Open selection round was a day of disbelief and upset when two big names bite the dust. First the victim was Lee Chong Wei, the number 1 world ranking player who lost in a nail-biting finish to a 26 year old Vietnamese ranked 11 Nguyen Tien Minh. The score stood at 24-22, 20-22, 21-19 in a one-hour battle. The second victim was Peter Gade the Danish star who lost to the Indian qualifier Anup Sridhar at 19-21, 21-16, 13-21.

In the ladies singles game Singpore's Xing Aiying did a great battle with the young chinese player Wang Yihan before losing 16-21, 21-8, 7-21. Wang Yihan shows great potential. She has got the makes of a champion and make no mistake on her determination to show her prowess. Another Singapore ladies player Fu Mingtian did not manage to overcome Dutch player Judith Meulendijks . She was shown the way out with 18-21, 13-21. And yet another Singapore women's doubles pair of Shinta Mulia Sari and Yao Lei falls at the hands of the Indonesian pair of Greysia Polii and Nitya Krishinda at 12-21, 17-21.

Singapore's only hope now lies in the hands of the men's doubles pair of Hendri Saputra and Hendra Wijaya who beat the Malaysian pair of Chan Chong Ming and Chew Choon Eng at 21-19, 21-16. Wish the Singapore pair success in the quarter-finals.

Let's see what other surprises may come our way in the quarter-finals, the semi and the grand finals.

Aviva Open Singapore-Selection round

The preliminary selection round for the Aviva Open 2009 has some surprises instore. A major upset was created in the ladies' singles when the world No.8 from China, Lu Lan was overwhelmed by Singapore's Fu Mingtian in an exciting rubber set. The young teenager scalped the more experienced chinese player with a score of 8-21, 21-9, 21-19. Another young Singaporean Zhang Beiwen nearly score another upset when she was finally downed 21-10, 21-18, 21-19 by China's world No 4 Wang Lin. Eventually the more experienced player triumphed over the fledging potential from the Lion City. Singapore's top women's player Xing Aiying had an easier road to the next round with a win over the Dannish player with 21-7, 21-18.

In the men's singles world No 1 Lee Chong Wei easily overwhelmed Smith from U.K. setting the score at 21-11, 21-12. In the men's doubles Singapore's pair of Hendri Saputra and Hendra Wijaya disposed the Malaysian pair in an exciting rubber set at 21-9, 17-21, 21-10.

In the women's doubles the Singapore ladies pair of Shinta Mulia Sari and Yao Lei made shortwork of the Japanese pair in straight sets - 21-15, 21-15.
So far the Singapore players are very encouraging and they are quite determind to put up a good show in home ground. With the exception of the men's singles which is not represented, we hope to see a better overall result in the forthcoming rounds.

Aviva Open Singapore

The Aviva Open Singapore is to be played at the Indoor Stadium in Kallang. The game is scheduled for 4 days from 11th to 14th June. The prize money is US$200,000 or Singapore $291,000.

The badminton tournament will see these top players in action. Top seed Lee Chong Wei, Peter Gade currently world number 2, Chen Jin and Bao Chunlai from China, Sony Dwi Kuncoro from Indonesia will battle out for top honours. However it's a pity and sad that Lin Dan the most celebrated player will not be able to take part in this tournament. Many enthusiasts like me will be sadly disappointed indeed. His mastery of his skills is something to marvel at and at the same time very entertaining.

For the ladies players, the world number 1 Tine Rassmussen has withdrawn due to an injury. The main players are Zhou Mi from HK and the up and coming Wang Yihan from China. She has shown her mettle in winning the All-England title this year on top of 3 other wins. Look out for her! Singapore represented by Xing Aiying has an uphill task against the more seasoned players. However she has the benefit of playing in home ground and let's give her our support.

The game should be just as exciting and interesting inspite of the absense of 2 top players. I'm sure the spectators are going to have a good time at the Indoor Stadium. Enjoy your game.

Aviva World's Largest Rally

The Aviva World's Largest Rally was held yesterday on 23 May at the Raffles City atrium at 3rd level. I went in the afternoon to check out the buzz in the badminton activities organised by Aviva. The event was to establish a Guiness record for the largest rally of badminton players and enthusiasts in Singapore. When I was there the venue was already packed with participants wearing yellow T-shirt sponsored by Aviva. The event which started in the morning was still alive with more participants coming forward to join in the exciting event.

I arrived at the venue and the place was buzzing with activities. The participants form a line of players queing to hit the shuttlecock to the other side of the court. The shuttle travels to and fro with each player hitting a stroke to keep the shuttle in the air for as long as possible. After returning the shot the player moves out and the next in line continues to rally. This goes on and on till the end of the event.

I joined the event with a racket borrowed from one of the organisers. I just enjoyed the fun with the young and some not-so-young players (like me). The event set a Guiness Record in badminton right here in Singapore.

All the participants were all winners. Every participant got a goody bag. My bag includes a T-Shirt with the description 'I made history', a racket cover and a wrist band. And all in bright yellow color too.

So I was a part of the group that 'made history' in the Guiness World Records. Oh what a feeling! I have a memorable day! And so do all the other participants, I hope.

Tarzen

Videos at www.youtube.com/tarzenpeh

Sudirman Cup Final- China vs S.Korea

So China has dominated the badminton world again in the latest Sudirman Cup 2009. They cruised to a 3-0 win. The game was held at Guangzhou Coliseum from 10-17 May. The men's single final was won by Lin Dan over Park Sung Hwan,score 21-14,21-18.

Well done China! The formidable team with 7 victories under their belt. Seven times Sudirman Cup champion-what an achievement!
Tarzen

Beautiful badminton trick shots

Badminton is such a beautiful game to play as well as to watch. I like to share this wonderful and entertaining video with all badminton enthusiasts so that you may pick up some pointers to add to your array of mastery strokes. Just enjoy the video presentation.



Tarzen

World No. 1 lost to player ranked 147th in Indian Open Badminton

The latest upset in the badminton tournament happened to the world number 1 Lee Chong Wei at the Indian Open Badminton. He was beaten by the up and coming young player from China who was the 2007 World Junior Champion. It was a hard fought battle for Chen Long when he was taken to a rubber set by Lee Chong Wei who led the game with a first set win of 21-7. Eventually Chen Long won the game 21-16 and 21-18.
How did Chong Wei lost in the 1st round? Well he suspected that it was due to food poisoning while on his flight back from Switzerland just after winning the Swiss Open title. And what a disappointing start for him at the Indian Open.
Well maybe better luck next time for the Malaysian!

Wang Yihan-A new champion

A new young and very talented lady just 21 years of age is making a huge impact in the badminton world of the ladies game. She is from Shanghai China who picked up the game 11 years ago. Her talent and promise cataputed her into the ranks of the elites. Under the guidence of her coach Zhang Ning, the current Olympic Ladies Champion, her rise is short of phenomenal. She is Wang Yihan.
She is the new All-England champion beating the current champion Tine Rusmussen by 21-19, 21-23, 21-11. Her achievements are pretty impressive.

• 2009 All-England Championships and German Open
• 2008 Japan Open
• 2007 Russian Open
• 2006 Asian Junior and World Junior Championship

Her short resume includes her victory over Xie Xingfang her compatroit and then-world champion in the World Cup 2006 in Hunan. Another big win was over world number 2 Zhou Mi in Japan Open 2008.

Wang Yihan will be a big name to look out for in the future badminton world. A future new champion will be in the making. Watch out for her!

Tarzen

All-England Badminton 09- Men's Final

The All England Badminton Final played in Birmingham on Mar 7 2009 was won by Lin Dan from China. The current world number 1 from Malaysia Lee Chong Wei was outplayed in straight sets with a score of 21-19 and 21-12. Lin Dan had won 9 times out of 10 in their previous encounters. Lin Dan is too strong for the Malaysian.

China took a clean sweep of all 5 games in this prestigious tournament, men's single, women's single, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. In 1987 China made a clean sweep in Beijing, but this is the first time they have done it overseas. Credit must be given to Coach Li Yongbo.

Amazing Badminton Smash

I wonder if many badminton players who enjoy the game know how fast a shuttlecock can travel. It is indeed very fast if you can smash the shuttle at the right timing and momentum. The execution of a great smash is when you anticipate and position your racket in the forward stance. The precise timing of hitting the shuttle from high and also the momentum of a great follow through produces a powerful smash. The downward impact will create a powerful smash in your opponent's court in a blink of an eye. That's a killer smash!

The fastest recorded SMASH was executed by the China player Fu Haifeng. It rocketed to a 332 kph equivalent to 206 mph . The smash was recorded in the tournament of the Sudirman Cup on 3/6/2005. It's quite phenomenal when compaired to the tennis stroke. The fastest tennis stroke recorded was by Andy Roddick at 246 kph that is equivalent to 153 mph. However the fastest singles smash record in the singles competition was by the Indonesian ace Taufik Hidayat at 305 kph that is equivalent to 189 mph. It's simply astonishing! Amazing!
So that's how fast a shuttlecock can travel - like a speeding bullet. And someday someone may just break that record, but it would'nt be me. ( I just love to play badminton)



Tarzen

My Badminton Game

Hi Badminton is my passion and I play this game for many years since my childhood days. I play badminton with a group of old friends or badminton kaki's regularly twice a week at sports clubs.
The game is very enjoyable for us and we always look forward to the game.
We usually play a doubles game. It's fun and entertaining for us. The game is usually play with much gusto and skill among the two sides. Every one wants to win and that's the beauty of our social game. The losing side will always have to think of new strategies to overcome the lost and employ new tricks to win. And at the end of the day we all enjoy the real good exercise that we need to keep ourselves fit and healthy.
Yes we just love to play badminton.