London 2012 Doubles Qualification: Hosts hopes in sight

After 363 days and 110 tournaments, the qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympic Games from 52 Members Associations have been determined upon the publication of the BWF World Ranking on Thursday 3 May 2012.

This World Ranking has recorded the average points of the top 10 results of each athlete accumulated at BWF-sanctioned tournaments held between 3 May 2011 and 29 April 2012.
Unlike the singles disciplines, the Continental Qualification spots can only be awarded if the top continental pairs sit within the Top 50 of the World Ranking on 3 May. Also, no tripartite places are available for the doubles disciplines.
In spite of that, the three doubles disciplines have served up a cocktail of possibilities that will keep alive hosts Great Britain’s hopes of another precious qualification spot.
Men’s Doubles: Official BWF Qualification List
In the men’s doubles, a total of 16 pairs from 14 Members Associations have been awarded a spot, with China’s Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng (Asia, pictured left), Denmark’s Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen (Europe), United State’s Tony Gunawan/Howard Bach (Pan Am), South Africa’s Dorian Lance James/Willem Viljoen (Africa) and Australia’s Glenn Warfe/Ross Smith (Oceania) named as the top representatives of each of the 5 continents on 3 May.
Sitting right outside the men’s doubles qualification list (R1) is English men’s doubles pair Chris Adcock/Andrew Ellis (pictured bottom left), who will require just one withdrawal to qualify.
But should South Africa decide to forfeit their Continental Qualification spot in the men’s doubles in exchange for a potential women’s singles spot for Harrington, and as the next Africa Continental pair sits outside of the top 50 bracket, then the English duo is Olympic-bound.
Pan Am's Canada may also be presented with a dilemma similar to South Africa's should they be handed a men's doubles Continental Qualification spot in the event if Americans Gunawan/Bach turn down their invitiation. Canada's world number 30 men’s doubles pair Adrian Liu/Derrick Ng will then be offered the men's doubles Continental Qualification spot.
However, Canada can only choose to take two of the three Continental Qualification doubles tickets on offer.
Should Canada then also follow United States to not participate in the men's doubles then, with no other eligible Pan Am pairs sitting inside the Top 50, England’s Adcock/Ellis will be offered the last ticket.
This further implicates the men’s singles qualification, as Chris Adcock who has already qualified in the mixed doubles, can potentially open up another provisional spot in the men's singles for gender equity that will enable Scott Evans, first on the reserves list on 3 May's World Rankings, to promptly qualify.
Women’s Doubles: Official BWF Qualification List
In the women’s doubles, a total of 16 pairs from 13 Members Associations have been awarded a spot, with China’s Wang Xiaoli/Yu Yang (Asia), Denmark’s Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl (Europe), Canada’s Alex Bruce/Michelle Li (Pan Am), South Africa’s Michelle Claire Edwards/Annari Viljoen (Africa) and Australia’s Leanne Choo/Renuga Veeran (Oceania, pictured right) named as the top representatives of each of the 5 continents on 3 May.
The first reserves, Malaysia's Wong Pei Tty/Chin Eei Hui could qualify on a pair's withdrawal or by virtue of South Africa exchanging their women's doubles Continental Qualification ticket for a singles ticket if the dilemma is presented to them and with no other African pairs sitting inside of the top 50 bracket.
A country can choose to take up the two Continental Qualification doubles tickets, or one Continental Qualification doubles ticket and one singles ticket.
Mixed Doubles: Official BWF Qualification List
In the mixed doubles, a total of 16 pairs from 14 Members Associations have been awarded a spot.
Unlike the men’s and women’s doubles disciplines, there will not be mixed doubles representatives from the Oceania and Africa continents in London, as they have no pairs ranked in the Top 50 on 3 May to qualify for the Continental Qualification spots.

Only Canada’s world number 26 Grace Gao/Toby Ng has qualified to use the Continental Qualification spot but it may come at the expense of their teammates’ participation in the other doubles disciplines as mentioned earlier.
If Canada forfeit their mixed doubles spot, with no other eligible Pan Am pairs in the Top 50, then first reserve pair (R1), Singapore’s Danny Bawa Chrisnanta/Vanessa Neo Yu Yan, will be invited to their maiden Olympic Games.
With country quota in place, countries with more than 3 pairs qualified in the Top 8 such as Japan in women’s doubles, will have to pick the 2 pairs they will be sending to London.
A maximum of 2 pairs per country can qualify if both are ranked in the Top 8 on 3 May: China and Denmark in mixed doubles; China, Korea, Japan in women's doubles; China and Korea in men's doubles.

Defending Olympic men's doubles champions Hendra Setiawan/Markis Kido (pictured right) have missed out on qualifying as Indonesia's second pair by merely 71.6903 points, ranked world number 9 on 3 May.
Indonesia, like other countries with more than one pair ranked above the last qualified pair sans Continental Qualification pair(s) in each doubles discipline (but outside of Top 8), will have to decide on the one pair to represent them in London.
All Member Associations have until 31 May to decide on their representatives for the 2012 London Olympic Games in accordance to the quota(s) decided by the BWF to balance having the best players and global diversity at the Olympic Games.
Withdrawals and reserves replacements are however possible until 20 July 2012. The live draw ceremony will be held on 23 July 2012 in London.
For further enquiries, do contact BWF Communications Officer Jan j.lin@bwfbadminton.org.
Editor's note: A management decision was taken to clarify the women's singles qualification regulations on Friday 4 May afternoon, thereby resulting in a clearer standing on the women's singles Olympic qualification list that has been updated on the website.

Chong Wei: China training camp will help the Thomas Cup squad

World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei readily concedes that Malaysia’s Thomas Cup squad are not the strongest but believes that the one-week training camp in Dongguan, China, from May 13-18 will make a difference.
The Thomas Cup will be held in Wuhan, China, from May 20-27 and the BA of Malaysia (BAM) have set a realistic semi-final target.
It will not be easy, however, as Malaysia are drawn in Group C with European powerhouse Denmark and South Africa. And the draw in the quarter-finals may yet pit them against favourites China, or strong contenders Indo­nesia, South Korea and Japan.
The 29-year-old Chong Wei, confidence renewed after winning the Malaysian Open GP Gold in Johor Baru last Sunday, is in the right frame of mind for the challenge ahead.

Endorsement: Lee Chong Wei posing with some of the products after signing on as the brand ambassador for CNI White Coffee Cendawan Susu Harimau and Well3 brand in Shah Alam Tuesday.

“Our team could be better but we have qualified for the Finals and must give it our best,” said Chong Wei.
“What’s most important is team spirit, which we are lacking a little at the moment because the singles players and the doubles players have different training schedules.
“That is why the training camp in Dongguan will be very important because we’ll be training and spending more time together. This will surely increase team spirit.
“Besides, after winning the Malaysian Open in JB, I’m more confident about my injured shoulder and am determined to deliver the first point for the team.
“The target is to reach the semi-finals and we aim to achieve that or better,” said Chong Wei.
Besides Chong Wei, the other members of the 10-man team are Liew Daren, Mohd Hafiz Hashim and Chong Fei Weng (singles), and doubles pairs Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah and Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong
Wei Feng and doubles specialist Wee Kiong will be making their debut in the event while Daren and V Shem-Khim Wah tasted action during the qualifiers back in February.
Meanwhile, Chong Wei has been named brand ambassador for the CNI White Coffee Cendawan Susu Harimau and Well3 products.
The Penangite, who was in jovial mood during the signing ceremony yesterday, expressed his gratitude for the support shown by the private sector and the Malaysian public.
“I really have to thank CNI and all my other sponsors for supporting me in this crucial Olympic year. All this makes me even more determined to win the elusive first Olympic gold medal for Malaysia in London,” said Chong Wei.
Courtesy of The Star

Cara Membuat Pukulan Backhand

UNTUK membuat pukulan backhand yang kuat, anda boleh menggunakan kayu skuasy atau tenis yang dihayun ke depan dan ke belakang mengikut kesesuaian dan kemampuan masing-masing. Disamping itu, anda juga disaran mengamalkan penggunaan dum bell sebagai alat sokongan untuk menguatkan pergelangan tangan jari. Dengan kekuatan ini, ia akan memudahkan latihan pukulan menggunakan raket skuasy atau tenis. Latihan hayunan ini hendaklah diamalkan sekurang-kurangnya sekali dalam sehari. Ia tidak semestinya dilakukan di gelanggang badminton sahaja tetapi boleh dilakukan di mana-mana sahaja termasuk di bilik anda.   Sumber: Tanya Misbun

Senaman: Asas Kepada Semua Sukan - Bahagian 1

Beregu negara akui kelemahan

KIEN KEAT-BOON HEONG akan bertemu Terry Yeo Zhao Jiang-Yi Liu dari Singapura pada pusingan kedua Terbuka Malaysia GP Emas di Johor Bahru hari ini.

BEREGUutama lelaki negara, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon He- ong perlu bekerjasama bagi mengatasi perasaan rendah diri selepas tewas dua kali berturut-turut kepada pasangan tidak ternama Indonesia, Angga Prata-Ryan Agung Saputra dalam tempoh kurang sebulan.

Menurut Kien Keat, tahap keyakinan mereka mula menurun selepas tewas kepada Angga-Ryan dalam pertemuan pertama pada Kejohanan Piala Axiata di Kuala Lumpur, Mac lalu.

Bekas juara Seluruh England 2007 itu sekali lagi tewas kepada pasangan yang sama pada pusingan suku akhir Terbuka India minggu lepas.

“Pada pertemuan pertama, kami mungkin terlalu memandang rendah terhadap pihak lawan dan selepas tewas, tahap keyakinan kami mula menurun. Kami asyik terfikir mengapa mereka bermain terlalu bagus.

“Pada pertemuan di India pula, kami sudah hilang keya- kinan selepas mereka berjaya mengheret permainan sehingga ke set penentuan,” kata Kien Keat ketika ditemui selepas menang pada pusingan pertama Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Malaysia Grand Prix (GP) Emas di Johor Bahru semalam.

Pada perlawanan tersebut, beregu ini menang mudah ke atas pasangan India, S. Sanjeeth-Jagadish Yadav 21-7, 21-5.

Jelas Kien Keat, bagi meng- atasi masalah keyakinan diri yang rendah, dia dan Boon Heong harus bekerjasama dan membantu antara satu sama lain.

Katanya, mereka terlebih dahulu harus sama-sama belajar mengakui dan menerima kesilapan diri.

“Jika kami tidak bekerjasama dan membantu antara satu sama lain, tiada gunanya kami meminta bantuan pakar psikologi.

“Perkara ini harus diatasi bersama. Kami perlu cari jalan untuk mengembalikan tahap keyakinan diri. Selain itu, kemenangan di sini juga sedi- kit sebanyak dapat mengembalikan semula keyakinan kami,” katanya.

Pada pusingan kedua hari ini, Kien Keat-Boon Heong yang diletakkan sebagai pili- han pertama akan bertemu Terry Yeo Zhao Jiang-Yi Liu selepas pasangan dari Singapura itu menewaskan gandingan Nelson Oon dari Australia dan Zairul Hafiz Zainudin dari Malaysia 21-18, 21-12

Kosmo!

Five players enjoy first Superseries success

The Yonex Sunrise India Open came to an exciting close on Sunday as five players tasted gold for the first time in their careers at an OSIM BWF World Superseries tournament.

South Korea’s Shon Wan Ho (left), led the way with a stunning three-game victory over world No. 1 and top seed Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia in the men’s singles, while compatriots Jung Kyung Eun-Kim Ha Na edged China’s Japan Open winners Bao Yixin-Zhong Qianxin in straight games in the women’s doubles.

Thailand’s Bodin Issara-Maneepong Jongjit stopped a third South Korean victory when they battled hard before getting the better of Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong in the men’s double.

In between, Asian champion Li Xuerui of China grabbed her third consecutive title in the women’s singles and Indonesia’s defending champions Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir made it back-to-back Superseries titles when they won the mixed doubles gold medal.

Wan Ho, who had never beaten Chong Wei in four previous encounters, celebrated his qualification to the Olympics by winning a titanic match 21-18, 14-21, 21-19.

A delighted Wan Ho told the media: “I was glad that I had simply qualified for the Olympics but it feels great to win my first Superseries crown.

“I was leading comfortably so I was confident. When he kept getting back, I got nervous. Luckily, I was able to keep my focus. When I got the chance to serve for the match I was able to make it count.

"I had nothing to lose and was confident. He gets a bit nervous playing the Koreans and my strokes and defence were brilliant.

"I took some time before serving at 20-19 as I knew he looks to attack. He was trailing in the match and so I held my nerves. I will next play in the Thomas Cup and then in Singapore and Indonesia before the Olympics.”

Bodin-Maneepong (right), didn’t fear second seeds Sung Hyun-Yeon Seong as they had beaten their opponents in the Thomas Cup qualifiers earlier this year. They continued their winning run by taking out their opponents in three games, winning 21-17, 14-21, 21-14 to become the first men’s doubles pair from Thailand to win a Superseries crown.

Kyung Eun-Ha Na (below), made up for their many near misses in the past by beating their Chinese opponents 21-17, 21-18 to finally take home their first Superseries title.

Li Xuerui ended Juliane Schenk’s one-woman show against China by getting the better of the German in three games.

Schenk, who had beaten two Chinese players, including top seed Wang Shixian, en route to the final, looked tired after reaching her second final in as many weeks and lost 14-21, 21-17, 21-8.

Schenk had also lost last week’s European Championships while Li Xuerui, who claimed her second Asian crown in as three years last Sunday, enjoyed a day off on Saturday when compatriot Jiang Yanjiao conceded a walkover.

Tontowi-Liliyana, who first announced their arrival on the world stage by winning this tournament a year ago, stopped Thailand’s Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam 21-16, 12-21, 21-14 to add the crown to their All England title.

For full results, click here.

Results (All finals)
Men
Singles: Shon Wan Ho (South Korea) bt Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia) 21-18, 14-21, 21-19.
Doubles: Bodin Issara-Maneepong Jongjit (Thailand) bt Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong (South Korea) 21-17, 14-21, 21-14.

Women
Singles: Li Xuerui (China) bt Juliane Schenk (Germany) 14-21, 21-17, 21-8.
Doubles: Jung Kyung Eun-Kim Ha Na (South Korea) bt Bao Yixin-Zhong Qianxin (China) 21-17, 21-18.

Mixed doubles: Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir (Indonesia) bt Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam (Thailand) 21-16, 12-21, 21-14.

Malaysia Open: Hafiz leads the assault

HAFIZ Hashim led eight Malaysians into the second round of the Malaysia Open grand prix gold, hit by the absence of all but two top 15 men's singles shuttlers, in Johor Baru yesterday.

They will be joined by defending champion Lee Chong Wei, Liew Daren and Chong Wei Feng, who received first round byes, in the second round today.

Hafiz defeated Michael Fariman of Australia 21-12, 21-4 and will play South Korean back-up player Lee Dong Keun today.

Misbun Ramdan Misbun thrashed Brandon Morris of Canada 21-6, 21-4 and will meet compatriot Winson Neo, who beat Luke Charlesworth of New Zealand 21-12, 21-16, in the second round.

Should Hafiz and Ramdan survive their second round matches, they will be playing against each other in the third round later in the day.

Zulfadli Zulkifli also cleared the first hurdle after beating Dharma Alrie Guna of Indonesia 21-19, 21-17 and faces Ashton Chen of Singapore next.

Chong Wei, gunning for his fourth title in the tournament, will play Michael Fowke of New Zealand while Daren, the fourth seed, will meet K. Srikanth of India, who defeated Arif Latif 21-14, 21-12, in the second round.

Wei Feng will be up against Japan's back-up shuttler Kento Momota in the second round.

National singles chief coach Rashid Sidek said the tournament is a good opportunity for Daren and Wei Feng to make a strong impact and put up a quality performance now that they have made it to the Thomas Cup squad.

"Chong Wei is the only world class player in the tournament and the other Malaysians must use the opportunity to make a breakthrough. Wei Feng and Daren must make a strong impact here," said Rashid from Johor Baru yesterday.

"Daren never performs in local tournaments and has the tendency to stutter when meeting national back-up players while Wei Feng also struggles against teammates.

"They must show character and survive the two rounds tomorrow (today).

"I feel that at least four players can make it to the quarter-finals and it will be good if a back-up player joins the seniors in the last eight."

Men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah advanced to the second round in contrasting fashions.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong beat S. Sanjeet-Jagadish Yadav of India 21-7, 21-5 and have another easy match, against Terry Yeo-Liu Yi of Singapore en route to the quarter-finals.

V Shem-Khim Wah recovered from a horrendous start against Riki Karanda-Muhammad Ullinuha of Indonesia before securing a 12-21, 21-12, 21-15 win and will play compatriots Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong today.

Thien How-Wee Kiong, reserves in the Thomas Cup squad, also avoided an embarrassing first round defeat when they edged Rahmat Adianto-Berry Angriawan of Indonesia 15-21, 25-23, 22-20 in their opening match.

Courtesy of New Straits Times