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For the ladies players, the world number 1 Tine Rassmussen has withdrawn due to an injury.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.