Pearly & Thinaah: What Happens Next?

Before we look forward to Paris 2024 letโ€™s cast our minds back to Paris 2022 and the final of the Yonex French Open.  Pearly & Thinaah had negotiated a tough run to the final beating Matsuyama/Shida in their QF and Baek/Lee in the SF and now they faced the Japanese pair Matsumoto and Nagahara. Over three big sets their will to win, their strategy and their fitness saw them grab the title, igniting anticipation from fans for the years ahead.

2RW1KFF Hong Kong, China. 15th Sep, 2023. Pearly Tan, Thinaah Muralitharan of Malaysia.
(Credit Image: ยฉ Ben Lau/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire) From Alamy

Itโ€™s interesting to remember the challenges Thinaah faced leading up to the tournament; training solo while Pearly recovered from a hamstring injury. Injuries and the risk of injury poses a significant obstacle to this pairโ€™s progress. Since winning Gold at the Commonwealth Games in August 2022 and their later victory in Paris later that year consistently maintaining peak fitness has been a struggle. Beyond the impact upon tournament participation, it disrupts training and overall progression.

WD at the Tokyo Olympics was probably the last hurrah for the โ€œWar of Attritionโ€ style.  Greysia Polii excelled at endurance, and she stepped on court with experience of the Olympics . T&Tโ€™s style could be seen as the natural antidote to long rallies. At their most effective they bring a fizzy counterpoint to the court. Thinaah gives a good foundation to the pair with her defensive vision. Pearly is liberated to use her creativity and go hunting for points.

However, their recent match at BATC  against the Indonesian pair Mayasari/Sugiarto  was marked by mistakes and hesitancy suggesting  they havenโ€™t hit their stride yet in the journey to Olympic qualification. Perhaps the fear of injury has tempered their style and relish for competition.

Itโ€™s vital that they avoid stagnating.  Reports suggest that Rexy Mainaky has arranged for them to spar with men in training recognizing a gap in standards with the other WD. Lately they have seemed a bit vulnerable to sustained attack โ€“ lacking the strategic resilience to break their opponentโ€™s rhythm. Intensified training may offer a solution to this and bolster their competitive edge.

Olympic expectations were high when they were ranked at 5 at the start of 2023. They have slipped a little, but they havenโ€™t suddenly become bad players.  They lost their momentum owing to injury so now – if they can both stay fit- there is still time to arrive in Paris with a renewed optimism. Their path to the Olympics has been full of difficulties so far. Yet with resilience and determination, the support of coaches and fans they can step on court to chase their dreams.


If you’re a fan of Malaysian Badminton take a look at https://shuttlehard.com/ and also https://badmintoniacs.wordpress.com/ .


Thanks to Rene Biaoli and the vast community of Malaysian Badminton fans for observations and shared ideas.

ยฉ2025

Amanda Bloss All Rights Reserved

TAI Tzu Ying Wins the WTF 2023

TAI Tzu Ying is the Champion again at the World Tour Finals โ€“ this is a triumph we will savour in years to come. Her resilience and will-to-win carried her through an incredible weekend to finish at the top of the podium.

Screengrab courtesy of BWF TV

After coming back from the dead against AN Se Young in their semifinal TAI Tzu Ying faced Carolina Marin in the last match of 2023 to battle for Gold. Marin is always an intimidating opponent and her form this week – her touch and focus – meant that this was going to be a huge task for the Queen.

Two battle-scarred athletes faced each other over the net. The slow hall allowed Marin a few microseconds of advantage to neutralize Tzu Yingโ€™s natural game. TTY appeared a bit leggy at the beginning and Marin dominated the early exchanges to close out the first set 21-12.

The second set started, and TTY was struggling to reach the shots from Carolina that stretched her sideways. Her left leg was obviously strapped, and her opponent was good at exploiting this. Advantage to the Spaniard at the break 11-9. Then, a shift in the balance of power. TAI won 6 points in a row, and Marin was making some mistakes under pressure. Both players are running on โ€˜old legsโ€™ these days; both are a little slower and less agile than 5 years ago. TTY rode the momentum she had generated and levelled up the contest, winning the second set 21-14.

The decider started evenly but there was a moment when TAI was 8-9 behind that produced a pivotal shot. Under extreme pressure and suffering with her troublesome left knee she executed a magnificent backhand crosscourt net shot that skimmed along the net cord like a flat pebble across still water and dropped to Marinโ€™s side of the court. 9-9 and she was immediately infused with self-belief whilst Carolina started to deflate.

Watching fans hardly dared to hope as suddenly TAI Tzu Ying seized the advantage. Six points in a row took her to 18-12 and although Carolina fought courageously, she could not disrupt the passages of play enough to get back into the match. 21-18 and the title went to The Queen.

TAI Tzu Yingโ€™s first victory at the World Tour Finals was ten years ago in 2014. This is her fourth title at the season-ending extravaganza and the sweetest, as the campaign this year has been extraordinary and one for us all to relish. The semi-final against AN Se Young felt like the thousandth meeting this year. We all thought that we knew the script as the head-to-head was 10-2 in the Koreanโ€™s favour but in an epic match TTY forced an incredible win against the odds.โ€‚

This is a well-deserved victory. A reward for never giving up, for hard work and for being true to herself. Huge congratulations to Tzu Ying for a remarkable week and heartfelt thanks from all her fans for a wonderful weekend’s play.


If you enjoyed this then take a look at some of my other articles about TAI Tzu Ying on my blog https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/10/22/tai-tzu-yings-500-wins-excellence-unlimited/ about the 500 wins milestone or this one from a while ago about the incredible team who support her https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2021/02/25/team-tai-tzu-ying/


ยฉ2025

Amanda Bloss All Rights Reserved

TAI Tzu Ying’s 500 Wins: Excellence Unlimited

In a truly momentous milestone TAI Tzu Ying has achieved the feat of securing her 500th victory. Sheโ€™s travelled a long way from the skinny kid winning her first pro match in 2007 to the worldwide icon about to grace her fourth Olympics.

2RR8TM1 Zhongguo, China’s Jiangsu Province. 7th Sep, 2023. Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei hits a return during the women’s singles second round match against Zhang Yiman of China at the 2023 China Open badminton tournament in Changzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Sept. 7, 2023. Credit: Yang Lei/Xinhua/Alamy Live News

She is badmintonโ€™s once-in-a-lifetime star; beloved throughout the world, transcending her sport in the same way that Federer transcends tennis.ย  Dazzling deception is baked into her approach. Her exquisite shots are a shared celebration of her command of the game as her fans provide a soundtrack of delight wherever in the world she plays.

Many people have played a part in shaping her genius โ€“ itโ€™s born of years of hard work, unfettered imagination and joy in competition.ย  Looking back to her formative years it was the support of her family that nurtured the spark of brilliance.ย  Her father introduced her to the sport and โ€“ as the story goes โ€“ took her around the smaller clubs that dot her homeland to take on adults. ย She couldnโ€™t compete equally in terms of strength, but hated losing, so she had to hone her trickery. Imagine if you had been a club player in Kaohsiung suddenly facing TTY across the net โ€“ there must be people in the city who did just this in the early days.

A hand injury suffered when she was thirteen could have been a debilitating setback.ย  Instead, it catalyzed the development of her extraordinary backhand skills.ย  As her father astutely observed, the injury proved to be a blessing in disguise.

TTYโ€™s spontaneous panache on court has been supported by Coach LAI who understands that her flair must be nurtured rather than squashed to fit established playing styles.ย  Her father was key in identifying LAI as a coach on the right wavelength to look after her. The formation of her team โ€“ physio, coach, & trainer has been designed to give her support in all areas of her game.

It’s impossible to pick a favourite TAI Tzu Ying match but the series of breathtaking battles with Ratchanok Intanon over the years standout as the El Classico of the badminton world. The spectacular skills of both athletes elevate these games to thrilling contests between wonderful opponents challenging each other to reach new heights of wizardry. Read more here TAI Tzu Ying & Ratchanok Intanon:ย MayTAI

500 Up, more than 200 weeks as World #1 and not finished yet. Dr TAI’s zest for the game has refocused with the 2024 Paris Olympics on the horizon. It’s impossible to predict what results the next year will bring but we know that when she walks onto the court her fans will be there to clap and cheer, standing ready to support and witness the unlimited brilliance of this incredible player.


If you enjoyed this then take a look at one of my archive articles about TTY https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2022/01/29/tai-tzu-ying-200-breathtaking-weeks-as-world-1/ or this one https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2022/03/02/tai-tzu-ying-at-the-all-england/


ยฉ2025

Amanda Bloss All Rights Reserved

Arctic Open Gold for LEE Zii Jia

An all-Malaysian MS final at the Arctic open brought us the lip-smacking prospect of Spicy Chicken versus the Mushroom โ€“ or, for those less versed in Chinese nicknames: LEE Zii Jia against NG Tze Yong.   This clash not only promised an enthralling match for the neutral fan but was also an exciting advert for the depth of talent in the Malaysian team. In this high-stakes battle both players needed Gold but only one could stand at the top of the podium when Negaraku played.

2T08EMJ Hangzhou, China’s Zhejiang Province. 5th Oct, 2023. Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia competes against Prannoy Haseena Sunil Kumar of India during the Men’s Singles Quarterfinal of Badminton at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. Credit: Ren Zhenglai/Xinhua/Alamy Live News

The tenacious progress of NTY since his superb performances at the last Commonwealth Games – including his dispatch of Viktor Axelsen at this yearโ€™s All England – reveal a player who is poised to challenge the best in the world.  In contrast, LZJ has weathered a very up-and-down year and suffered an excess of unnecessary media scrutiny as a result. Nevertheless, heโ€™s in the process of refining his game; cultivating patience and cutting errors. Game on!

Set 1: Advantage Lee Zii Jia 21-14

With a smash speed consistently higher than 410kph LZJ went full throttle courtesy of an unwilling green light from NTY. Tze Yong struggled to contain Zii Jia’s aggressive accuracy and was sucked into a reactive game that stopped him from getting any sort of foothold in the first set. It was all over in 16 minutes.

Set 2

NG Tze Yong found himself bulldozed by the sheer brutality of LEE Zii Jia’s game. Usually, he can remain composed and counter an onslaught but today he struggled for ideas against his compatriot. In the blink of an eye LZJ had charged into a 5-0 lead; he was completely dominant and enjoying the flow of his game. We only saw fleeting glimpses of what NTY is capable of. He fought to claw his way back into the match but could not halt the progress of LEE Zii Jia to a well-deserved Gold 21-15.

LEE Zii Jia came to the match planning to give Ng Tze Yong no chance to breath. It was a tough 39 minutes for NTY but his progress to the final showed his impressive growth. Meanwhile, Lee Zii Jia’s relentless attacking prowess was an exhilarating sight. What an exciting day for fans of the two players.

Edit: The two of them were actually on the podium to Queen’s We Are The Champions. I think the ‘We’ is appropriate!


If you enjoyed this then take a look at one from my archives about LZJ https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/07/29/lee-zii-jia-and-plan-b/

ยฉ2025

Amanda Bloss All Rights Reserved


LEE Zii Jia: Reasons to be Cheerful

LEE Zii Jiaโ€™s run of good results at the Australian Open came to an end in a three set SF with WENG Hong Yang.ย  What are the top takeaways from this tournament for him and his fans?

2J6ETN3 (220501) — MANILA, May 1, 2022 (Xinhua) — Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia poses for photos during the awarding ceremony for the men’s singles at the Badminton Asia Championships 2022 in Manila, the Philippines, May 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

As Team LZJ embarked on their flight to Sydney last week it was crucial that Coach WONG and Darren Liew supported their player. Amidst the gale of media criticism that often swirls around him, they had to embody the eye of the storm, giving tactical analysis and unwavering confidence in his ability to overcome his challenges.

Before the competition began – after a dismal sequence of early exits – plus a hiatus to recharge and recalibrate, I think that the prospect of making the semi-final of a S500 tournament would have been a tantalizing glimpse of a brighter horizon.

As he took to the court to face fellow Malaysian LEONG Jun Hao in R32 the main worry was his recent habit of early exits stemming from a mix of impatience, good opponents, and bad luck. However, plot twist! This time he changed the script. The match did not begin particularly well: his play was marred by errors: his range was out, and he was misjudging the arenaโ€™s conditions. LJH took the first set, and an upset was on the cards. However, set two and a small improvement in his touch and some deceptive shots surfaced. He was tenacious and levelled to one set all. His momentum continued and with an impressive display of mental grit he got the victory in just over an hour.

R16 was another long three set match, this time against Indian national champion Mithun Manjunath. Zii Jia was more comfortable with the conditions, and noticeably better in the front court. While it was not a dazzling performance he rose to the challenge and was into his first Quarter Final for months. It was encouraging to see him find an extra gear at 16-16 in the final set.ย  MM resisted and fought back hard but he could not break LZJโ€™s resolve.

And so, to another compatriot clash, this time against the ever-improving NG Tze Yong. Malaysian badminton fans are lucky to have two outstanding MS. NTYโ€™s performances at the Commonwealth Games and at the All England this year showcased his tenacity and undemonstrative self-confidence.ย  He is such a dogged, never-say-die competitor that it was imperative for LZJ to win in two if he had any hope of progression. Ominously he lost the first set and the second was balanced on a knife edge but Zii Jia would not yield, eventually taking it to extra points 26-24. It was heartening to see his surge of determination to get the match to a third set. The advantage was with him, and he took it 21-19.

Four early exits in a row before this tournament but this time he broke the pattern and reached the SF. After his defeat he revealed in an interview with the BWF that playing as an underdog had helped him. He can take so many positives from this week. Against WENG Hong Yang he showed a willingness to use his aggression to dominate the net; his movement was fluid, and his shots were sharp. Notably, he hasnโ€™t journeyed deep into a tournament for so long and this will be great to improve his match stamina.ย 

What can we expect in Copenhagen at the World Championships? Realistically the challenge continues to be consistency. However, with his team, he is working on the toolkit to transform himself into a better player. The journey is just beginning.


if you enjoyed this take a look at my article about LZJ and Coach Wong https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/07/29/lee-zii-jia-and-plan-b/


ยฉ2025

Amanda Bloss All Rights Reserved

LEE Zii Jia and Plan B

Now the challenge for Lee Zii Jia and his coaching team is to tap into his incredible talents and help him find his groove again.

2PFH65M Utilita Arena, Birmingham, UK. 17th Mar, 2023. 2023 YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships, Quarter Finals Day 4; Kodai NARAOKA versus LEE Zii Jia in the Mens Singles competition, LEE Zii Jia celebrates winning the match Credit: Action Plus Sports/Alamy Live News

It is essential to keep a frustrating situation in perspective. Remember, not too long ago he was a top 3 seeded player -a testament to his talent and skill – it is crucial to acknowledge that he has not regressed into a sub-par player overnight. Like any athlete there are difficulties and the journey to peak performance can be arduous.

Bringing WONG Tat Meng on board as his coaching director is a statement of ambition. He has a great cv and a broad experience of nurturing players to reach their full potential all over the world. He has come home to Malaysia to use this expertise to strengthen LZJ for the challenges ahead.

And so โ€“ for now โ€“ we must regard LZJ as dynamic work in progress. He is desperate to show that his sweat on the practice court equals trophies on the show court, but it is a transformational process that has to evolve. He needs more routes to victory when he cannot blast his way past an opponent; so, by reworking his game to incorporate different options depending on the challenges of the match he will become a more resilient player.

WTM must unpick and analyse the elements of LZJโ€™s game that are not working. They have to refine and enhance. All this against the whirlwind of endless tournaments, unrelenting press pressure and his playerโ€™s self-criticism. So, he has identified his first priorities as: consistency, improving ranking and securing qualification for the Paris Olympics next year.

The World Championships are looming, and it is probable that he will be arriving in Copenhagen as an unseeded player. The important thing is not only how far he can advance through the rounds but also the trajectory of his metamorphosis. Will he prolong rallies? What is going to happen to his unorthodox smash? Does he have the physical stamina to go deep into the draw after his recent early exits?

Sun Tzu said that victory comes from finding opportunities in problems. As I reflect on Lee Zii Jia, I firmly believe that he does have the mental agility to innovate and the grit to persevere through difficult times. Champions are not solely defined by victory but by their courage in defeat and determination to overcome any obstacle placed in their path. Triumph over adversity is the ultimate measure of greatness.


If you enjoyed this then take a look at my recent article about WS and the Fab Four https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/05/06/badmintons-fab-four-the-womens-singles-players-who-dominate-the-sport/


ยฉ2025

Amanda Bloss All Rights Reserved

Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan: Players of the Day.

Pearly Tan & Thinaah Muralitharan seemed destined for a two-set exit at the Axiata Arena today but then something extraordinary happened.

Screengrab courtesy of the broadcaster

By the middle of the second set the two Malaysians were struggling to get any sort of foothold in the match.ย  Fukushima and Hirota were consistently winning rallies as they ensnared their opponents in a war of attrition. They were repeatedly sending up big clears, extending rallies and targeting a visibly exhausted Pearly for point after point.

Suddenly something shifted.ย  The fans detected a glimmer ofโ€ฆsomethingโ€ฆ and a resistance was born.ย  Intelligently Tan & Thinaah called the Japanese bluff and turned their strategy back on them.ย  Perhaps the exertions of last week’s Sudirman cup started to be felt.ย  Incredibly they managed to level the scores and then held on under incredible pressure to force a decider.

The third set began horrifically for PearThin and I suspected that they had given too much to stay in the match.ย  They were 1-6 down before they managed to start clawing their way back into the tie.ย  There was a mesmerizing rhythm to the exchanges.ย  The Malaysian pair kept prolonging the rallies and Hirota especially was put under immense stress.ย  Between them, FukuHiro misjudged the baseline 5 times in the first half of the last set and Tan/Thinaah seized their chance.

All four athletes were tired, seemingly functioning on muscle memory as they fought from point to point.ย  All four should be proud of their resilience and desire. But with the score deadlocked on 12-12 Pearly โ€“ completely depleted โ€“ summoned up some last energy and scored a big point at the net: 13-12.

The duo who never give up just didnโ€™t give up.ย  The lucky spectators at the Perodua Malaysia Masters were treated to an exhibition of resilience, teamwork and spirit with touches of brilliance at key moments.ย  They closed out the final set 21-16. What a day for Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan, fantastic! That was a GAME.


If you enjoyed this take a look at my old article about Tan/Thinaah. It needs an update but it’s still fun to read https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2021/11/21/pearly-tan-thinaah-muralitharan/ or this one about FukuHiro https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2021/08/27/yuki-and-sayaka-at-the-olympics/


ยฉ2025

Amanda Bloss All Rights Reserved

Badminton’s Fab Four: The Women’s Singles Players Who Dominate the Sport

The crรจme de la crรจme of Womenโ€™s Singles was on the podium at the Badminton Asia Championships this year. TAI Tzu Ying, AN Se Young, Akane Yamaguchi and CHEN YuFei are four outstanding players who represent peak excellence.

It is no surprise that millions of fans worldwide tune in to their matches. While their formidable skills on court are a big factor in this, their heart-warming interactions in Dubai exemplified the best sporting behaviour. Letโ€™s take a closer look at the individuals who make up the Fab Four.

TAI Tzu Ying

TTY is a true icon of the badminton world. Armed with a dangerous combination of unscripted brilliance and technical mastery, spontaneity and deception are part of her DNA. Her creative vision has elevated the sport to a new level. She won the Gold medal at what could be her final BAC. She is badminton’s Most Valuable Player.

CHEN YuFei

As the reigning Olympic champion CYF has nothing to prove. She has been quoted as saying that she no longer wishes to compete ‘ruthlessly’ however she approaches matches with great fighting spirit. Unyielding grit paired with patience and superb technical skills makes her an intimidating rival. After winning Bronze in Dubai she was obviously delighted to be sharing a podium with Akane. Previously, she has mused on Weibo how she would like the opportunity to be friends. Following the medal ceremony she posted memorable pictures of the four of them on her social media which immediately went viral. She couldn’t tag Akane at first, but the Japanese player eventually followed her account after she complained.

Akane Yamaguchi

Akane, the current two-time World Champion, is renowned for her pacey court coverage and relentless stamina making her a very hard player to beat. Despite her small stature, opponent’s shots are rarely out of her reach. She stays focused and never gives up. There are plenty of epic battles ahead between her and AN Se Young.

AN Se Young

The new kid on the block has been enjoying a stupendous 2023. Her challenge to the status quo shows no sign of slowing down; in fact she has all the confidence and determination of a champion who knows her moment has arrived.

I love the Fab Four

As the Paris Olympics loom, the sun is setting on what has been a truly magnificent era in Women’s Singles – a Golden Age that has enthralled fans across the globe. TAI Tzu Ying has confirmed that she wants to retire after the Games. The passion and dedication of these four brilliant players have elevated the sport to new heights, inspiring us with their unrivaled skills and determination. Let’s savour every chance we get to be dazzled by these superb players.


If you enjoyed this you may like my post about TAI Tzu Ying’s victory at BAC2023 https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/04/30/tai-tzu-ying-asian-champion-again/


I’m very grateful to one of TAI Tzu Ying’s biggest fans – Kelly Chen – who kindly allowed me to use her personal photos from Dubai to illustrate this article. She has an excellent YouTube channel (@KellyChenTW) if you would like to see more clips of TTY.

I would also like to mention that I used Shu translating’s account on Twitter (@shitouyuqi) to get a sense of what was said by CYF on Weibo. This is a great account to follow if you love badminton.


ยฉ2025

Amanda Bloss All Rights Reserved

TAI Tzu Ying: Asian Champion (Again!)

TAI Tzu Ying is the Champion of Asia, securing the title for a third time with an unyielding display of aggression and precision against AN Se Young in the final.

On the winner’s podium.

TTY’s dominance stunned her Korean rival. By refusing to be lured into long rallies; she seized the opportunity to be the aggressor and deployed smashes, drives and drops wherever possible. AN Se Young had taken to the court with a heavily strapped knee and as the match progressed, she struggled to disrupt Tzu Yingโ€™s progress. Under enormous pressure she was misjudging length and line calls as the score kept ticking up.

TAI Tzu Ying kept control over the tempo of the encounter well. The courts in Dubai have helped athletes who kindle and harness speed; she showed no fear. Totally trusting her game plan – and instinct to attack – her hunger for points was unstoppable. Set one flew by in twelve minutes: 21-10. Set two followed a similar pattern and was closed out 21-14.

As TAI Tzu Ying contemplates the end of her career, I am sure she recognizes the preciousness of each moment on court.  As fans we see an added depth and poignancy to every contest, relishing each hard-fought title.  This latest win just serves to reinforce her place amongst the legends of the sport. The Queen is the Queen.


If you enjoyed this then take a look at this one from my archive that I wrote after TTY won the All England for the third time https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2020/03/23/tai-tzu-ying-the-triple-champion/ or this one about AN Se Young https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/03/03/an-se-young/


Autumn leaves falling

TAI Tzu Ying steps on the court

Still she bewitches

ยฉ2025

Amanda Bloss All Rights Reserved

South Korea’s KIM So Yeong & KONG Hee Yong

Kim and Kongโ€™s impressive victory at this yearโ€™s All England won them a whole lot of new fans. Having witnessed their performances for three days in a row I was enthralled by the dynamic energy they brought to the arena and their sheer will to win.

In an interview they both cited “Costa” as their favourite thing about England. Here they are just about to go into Costa Coffee on the morning of their final. I was lucky enough to bump into them and take a picture.

Before the pandemic they were recognized by the BWF as 2019โ€™s Most Improved Players. Since then, they have been steadily building their reputation as one of the best pairs in the world without always dominating their sector. Nevertheless, they won the 2021 World Tour Finals and got Silver at the 2022 World Championships.

Since watching their magnificent quarter final against the top seeds – CHEN/JIA – I have become a keen fan of their brand of WD. I did not have high expectations for the sixth seeds going into the game. Though they competed well in the first set they ultimately lost it 21-19 and found themselves in a 0-5 hole in the second. They seemed down and out. Yet in an extraordinary sequence they defied the Chinese duo, summoned up their self-belief and started to shift the momentum of the game in their favour.

Both Gill Clark and Steen Schleicher noted KONGโ€™s backhand and net play have been upgraded in the last year. She was playing shots with plenty of ambition, not only in the front court but also exploiting spaces that appeared at the back with confidence and precision. This had a big impact on the progress of the contest (and the subsequent two matches) because it opened up more chances to attack. On the sixth match point in the third set the Korean pair finally secured their win. In my view, it was the standout tie of the tournament.

They carried this winning attitude right through the rest of the competition. In the semi-final ZHANG/ZHENG were beaten in straight sets on the fourth match point. In the final they completely overwhelmed their compatriots BAEK/LEE to become the All England Champions 2023.

KIM and KONG already have an Olympic Bronze, making it tempting to consider their chances at the upcoming Paris Olympics for a shot at Gold. With a nimble approach to tactics, resilience, and a determination to win they can plan for a deep dive into the Olympic draw. Undoubtedly, they are strong contenders, and it will be exciting to see how their journey unfolds towards the 2024 Olympics.


If you enjoyed this take a look at BadmintonBites piece about KIM/KONG https://badmintonbites.com/kim-so-yeong-and-kong-hee-yong-one-of-badmintons-fastest-rising-pairs/

This link will take you to my recent article about AN Se Young https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/03/03/an-se-young/


ยฉ2025

Amanda Bloss All Rights Reserved