Author: Jayce

VICTOR Partners with French Badminton Federation as Official Partner for 2025-2030
VICTOR and the French Badminton Federation have announced a six-year partnership, with VICTOR becoming the official partner of the French Badminton Federation and the French national badminton team in 2025. Starting in 2027, VICTOR will also sponsor the Super 750-level French Open, collaborating with the French Badminton Federation to create a high-level badminton platform.
VICTOR Becomes Official Partner of the French Badminton Federation for 2025-2030
Regarding the new partnership with VICTOR, Yohan Penel, President of the French Badminton Federation, stated, “We are thrilled to embark on this new and comprehensive partnership with VICTOR. We deeply appreciate VICTOR’s trust in French badminton. We share a common vision for the development of the sport, and I believe this will be a new chapter for both sides!”
VICTOR Chairman Chen Shuyuan also traveled to Paris last month to finalize the agreement and expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration. “We are honored to become the official partner of the French Badminton Federation. With the growing popularity of badminton in Europe and the continued improvement of French badminton, we look forward to working closely with the French Badminton Federation to advance the development of European badminton.”
VICTOR Chairman Chen Shuyuan (left) and French Badminton Federation President Yohan Penel at the signing ceremony
As one of Europe’s strong teams, the French national badminton team will wear VICTOR-designed uniforms in team competitions, making its debut at the European Mixed Team Championships next February. From 2027 to 2030, the French Open will be sponsored by VICTOR and the company will serve as the official equipment partner, marking a new chapter in the tournament’s history.
September 12, 2024
Mixed Results for European Players at 2024 Hong Kong Open
The opening two days of the 2024 LI-NING Hong Kong Open have been full of ups and downs for European badminton players.
Day one saw an unexpected early exit from top-seeded pair Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen. On the second day, European athletes experienced a similar blend of successes and setbacks.
While Christo Popov, Line Højmark Kjærsfeldt, Rasmus Gemke, Mads Vestergaard/Christine Busch, and Viktor Axelsen progressed to the Round of 16, notable players like Toma Junior Popov and Mia Blichfeldt were knocked out of the competition.
Anders Skaarup Rasmussen
Kim Astrup
Viktor Axelsen
September 12, 2024
Hong Kong Open: Gunawan Seeks Breakthrough
Ranked 56th in the world, Jason Gunawan has achieved several victories in his budding career, the most recent being in the first round of the 2024 Li-Ning Hong Kong Open.
His victim, Kenta Nishimoto, is ranked 45 spots higher than Gunawan and shares the leaderboard with Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo and four-time Olympian Misha Zilberman.
However, Gunawan has yet to reach the quarterfinals of an HSBC BWF World Tour event, a goal he is targeting at his home tournament this year.
“For me, it’s been a good season. I’ve surprised some higher-ranked opponents, but I haven’t been able to reach the semifinals or make back-to-back quarterfinals,” the 20-year-old said after defeating Nishimoto 21-13, 21-18. “I hope I can do better in the coming months, starting with this tournament.”
When asked what it would take to make that next step, Gunawan responded: Patience. It all depends on patience.
“It’s much tougher playing against top players, and you feel more fatigued from using too much energy. Maybe my recovery isn’t good enough yet. I need to learn to do better in the future, and that’s something I want to improve.”
Gunawan has lofty ambitions. Reflecting on his win against Nishimoto, Gunawan said: “It’s unbelievable. I just focused on every point and didn’t think about winning or losing. I wanted to challenge my opponent and do my best.
“I was mentally prepared for a three-game match. He chased every ball, which I didn’t expect, but I hope to do better tomorrow.”
To reach the quarterfinals, Gunawan will need to defeat French player Christo Popov, ranked 28th in the world, who overcame Malaysia’s Cheam June Wei 21-19, 21-10.
Chico Aura DWI WARDOYO
September 12, 2024
Lee Zii Jia Climbs to World No. 3
Men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia has moved up to No. 3 in the world rankings, closing in on his career-best position of No. 2.
The 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medalist has edged past Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie, who has fallen to No. 7 after a challenging few months.
Lee Zii Jia now trails only Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen (No. 2) and China’s Shi Yuqi (No. 1).
He previously held the No. 2 spot in October 2022.
The 26-year-old is set to make his return to competitive play at the China Open in Changzhou from September 17-22, following the Olympics.
Lee Zii Jia
September 11, 2024
Sze Fei-Izzuddin Overcome Early Scare in First Professional Match at Hong Kong Open
There’s been speculation that Chin Eei Hui might step in as the new coach for the independent men’s doubles team of Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani. However, before making their mark in the second round of the Hong Kong Open, the pair encountered a significant challenge.
In their first tournament since departing from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), Goh and Nur Izzuddin were tested thoroughly by Taiwan’s Lee Fang-chih and Lee Fang-jen. They managed to secure a hard-fought victory with scores of 21-17, 15-21, 24-22 in a gripping 60-minute match at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Kowloon.
The path ahead is unlikely to get any easier for the world No. 12 pair as they prepare to face Indonesia’s Shohibul Fikri and Daniel Marthin in their bid for a quarterfinal spot.
Goh and Nur Izzuddin are currently the highest-ranked Malaysian men’s doubles pair competing here, given the absence of world No. 5 Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.
Although they’ve joined Rosman Razak’s independent coaching team, there’s potential for Eei Hui to come on board as their new coach. Eei Hui recently signed with the same sponsor, Victor, as Goh and Nur Izzuddin.
Previously, Eei Hui coached the independent pair Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi before relocating to New Zealand early last year to lead the North Harbour Club in Auckland.
It remains uncertain if Eei Hui will leave her current role and return to Malaysia to coach Goh and Nur Izzuddin.
In other news, the national pair Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun also advanced to the second round after a comeback win over teammates Yap Roy King and Wan Arif Wan Junaidi with scores of 15-21, 21-8, 21-11.
They will meet China’s Xie Haonan and Zeng Weihan in their next match.
Young talents Aaron Tai and Kang Khai Xing face a challenging first-round match today against South Korea’s world champions Kang Min-hyuk and Seo Seung-jae, following their 21-12, 21-19 victory over Canada’s Lan Kan Kern and Larry Pong in the qualifiers.
Nur Izzuddin Rumsani
Goh Sze Fei
September 11, 2024
Justin Hoh 11-Spot Ranking Rise a Boost Ahead of Tough Denmark Test
Justin Hoh, a men’s singles badminton player, received a timely boost ahead of his first-round match against Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke at today’s Hong Kong Open, as he climbed 11 places in the latest world rankings to reach No. 57.
Justin’s jump in the rankings is well-deserved after reaching his first-ever World Tour Super 300 quarterfinals at the recent Taiwan Open.
The 20-year-old is now closer to his career-high ranking of No. 48, which he achieved last year before an Achilles injury severely hindered his progress.
Justin recovered from his injury last November after an 8-month break but struggled with foot and knee issues until March when he fully regained fitness.
The young player’s ranking had dropped to No. 233 after his injury, but his hard work and determination have helped him steadily climb back up to his current position.
In May, Justin won the Slovenia Open and then the Saipan International in July, finishing as runner-up at the Northern Mariana Open.
He also earned a bronze medal at the Thomas Cup Finals in Chengdu in May with his teammates, and a month later, he made it to the quarterfinals of the Super 100 Taiwan Masters.
Justin will make his debut at a Super 500 event in Hong Kong, facing a tough challenge against Denmark’s world No. 26, Rasmus Gemke.
Despite a valiant effort, Justin ultimately lost 13-21, 21-19, 13-21 to Gemke, whom he had previously faced in the Thomas Cup group stage.
Meanwhile, independent player Lee Zii Jia also saw a ranking boost, climbing one spot to world No. 3.
The Paris Olympics bronze medalist replaced Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie, who fell to No. 7.
The 26-year-old will miss the Hong Kong tournament but is expected to return for the China Open from September 17 to 22.
Leong Jun Hao remains at No. 29 and will make his Hong Kong debut today against local qualifier Chan Yin Chak, while independent player Ng Tze Yong jumped from No. 65 to No. 61 and will face France’s world No. 28, Christo Popov.
HOH Justin
September 11, 2024
STARS OF THE PARALYMPICS
As the Paralympics draw to a close, we highlight the athletes who left a lasting impact on Para badminton’s grandest stage.
Wheelchair (WH1)
Qu Zimo
In men’s Wheelchair (WH1), Qu Zimo successfully defended both his singles and doubles titles, further solidifying his status as a legend with five World Championship golds, including two from this year alone.
Thomas Wandschneider
The singles bronze was claimed by Thomas Wandschneider, whose performance became iconic at the Paralympics, especially given his age (nearly 61) in such a physically demanding event.
Sarina Satomi
Sarina Satomi couldn’t reclaim her women’s doubles gold, but she delivered in the singles. Despite an earlier loss to Yin Meng Lu in the group stage, she avenged it in the semifinals and went on to beat Sujirat Pookkham in the final.
Wheelchair (WH2)
Liu Yu Tong & Daiki Kajiwara
Liu Yu Tong and Daiki Kajiwara continued their domination in WH2. Liu improved on her Tokyo 2020 performance by clinching doubles gold alongside Yin Meng Lu, adding to her singles title. At just 20, she now boasts three Paralympic golds and six World Championships titles.
Kajiwara was unstoppable in men’s singles WH2, not dropping a single game throughout his campaign.
Yin Meng Lu & Liu Yu Tong
Chan Ho Yuen Daniel, having announced his retirement after the Paralympics, finished with a silver, ending his career on a high. His rival Kim Jung Jun barely held off young competitor Yu Sooyoung in a dramatic bronze medal playoff.
Short Stature (SH6)
Charles Noakes
Men’s singles SH6 has become fiercely competitive, but Charles Noakes stood out, winning all five matches in straight games, including a final that thrilled home fans.
Li Fengmei
Li Fengmei shone for China, taking home two golds in women’s singles SH6 and mixed doubles SH6. Her mixed doubles semifinal alongside Lin Naili against Subhan Subhan and Rina Marlina was a thrilling, hour-long match that went China’s way.
Miles Krajewski
Miles Krajewski, only 19, impressed in two categories. He narrowly missed the singles semifinals and, along with Jayci Simon, made history by winning silver in mixed doubles – the first-ever Paralympic or Olympic medal for the USA in badminton.
Standing Lower (SL3)
Nitesh Kumar
Despite Pramod Bhagat’s absence, Nitesh Kumar delivered an unexpected victory over Daniel Bethell, edging out the Brit in a nerve-wracking SL3 final.
Xiao Zuxian
In women’s SL3, Xiao Zuxian captured gold, defeating Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh. Yet, the emotional highlight came from bronze medalist Mariam Eniola Bolaji, whose inspiring journey included overcoming a difficult childhood and the loss of her mentor.
Standing Lower (SL4)
Lucas Mazur
Much like Viktor Axelsen’s dominance in the Olympics, Lucas Mazur faced little resistance in his SL4 campaign, cruising to gold with a decisive win over Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj. In women’s SL4, Cheng Hefang had a similarly comfortable title defense, defeating Leani Ratri Oktila.
Standing Upper (SU5)
Cheah Liek Hou
As expected, Cheah Liek Hou remained unchallenged in men’s SU5. His main rivals, Dheva Anrimusthi and Suryo Nugroho, couldn’t unsettle him. On the women’s side, Yang Qiuxia triumphed over Thulasimathi Murugesan with relative ease in the SU5 final.
September 11, 2024
Hong Kong Open: Speed and Precision Dominate the Court
Unseeded duo Huang Di and Zhou Hao Dong, playing in only their second tournament together, delivered the most surprising result on Day 1 of the LI-NING Hong Kong Open 2024.
After making it through the qualifiers, the Chinese pair—who were eliminated in the first round of their debut at the Korea Open two weeks ago—shocked top-seeded men’s doubles champions Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen with their fast and aggressive style, winning 21-15, 25-23.
The second game was particularly tense, with both sides exchanging slim leads from 18-all, but Huang and Zhou stayed composed to secure the victory.
Zhou, who had previously partnered with He Ji Ting for two years before teaming up with Tan Qiang at the end of last year, credited their speed as the decisive factor in defeating the world No. 2 pair.
“Our speed gave us the edge,” said Zhou, 26, from Ningbo. “Playing fast is our strength, and we showcased it today.
“Kim and Anders, being top players, had more pressure to deliver a result. For us, the goal was to stay aggressive and push ourselves to beat the best.
“We’re thrilled with this win, but our focus now shifts to preparing for the next round.”
Huang and Zhou will next face Lin Bing Wei and Su Ching Heng from Chinese Taipei.
Elsewhere, Danish men’s doubles teams faced more disappointment. Shortly after, Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard fell 21-14, 21-17 to Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Daniel Marthin.
Denmark’s hopes in men’s doubles ended later in the day, when sixth seeds Rasmus Kjaer and Frederik Sogaard lost a tight match, 15-21, 23-21, 19-21, to Nur Mohd Azryn and Tan Wee Kiong.
Anders Skaarup Rasmussen
Kim Astrup
September 11, 2024
2024 Li-Ning Hong Kong Open: Viktor Axelsen Returns, European Contenders Gather
After a peak summer due to the 2024 Paris Olympics, some of Europe’s top badminton players took a well-deserved break following the intense Olympic qualification period.
However, the season has resumed, and a series of World Tour events in Asia are paving the way for the European leg. It will kick off in October with the YONEX-sponsored CLASH ROYALE Arctic Open 2024, followed by the VICTOR Denmark Open 2024 and the Hylo Open 2024.
Focus on Hong Kong
This week, the spotlight turns to the Li-Ning Hong Kong Open 2024. All eyes are on Viktor Axelsen, who just won his second Olympic gold medal a month ago. After skipping the Japan Open to rest, Axelsen is ready for a strong comeback.
Despite his numerous achievements, he has yet to win the Hong Kong Open title. Tomorrow, he faces local favorite Angus Ng Ka Long in his first match.
Europeans in Action
Viktor Axelsen aims to claim his first Hong Kong Open title, while his Danish teammate Anders Antonsen has opted out of the tournament. After a coaching change, he is focusing on recovery and preparation for the upcoming Super 1000 event in China—where his brother, Kasper Antonsen, will start coaching him in October.
Denmark remains strong, with Mia Blichfeldt, Line Højmark Kjærsfeldt, and Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen all ready to compete.
But Denmark isn’t the only European nation represented in Hong Kong. The Popov brothers from France are also competing in both men’s singles and doubles. Ukrainian players are taking part in the Super 500 tournament as well, with Polina Buhrova competing in women’s singles and doubles, while Yevgeniya Kantemir will team up with Oleksii Titov in mixed doubles.
Matches to Watch Today
With the qualifiers now over, top European players like Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, Rasmus Kjær/Frederik Søgaard, and the Popov brothers have kicked off their first-round matches today.
The 2024 Li-Ning Hong Kong Open runs from today until Sunday, September 15—stay tuned for all the latest updates.
Viktor Axelsen
September 11, 2024
Professional Duo Goh-Izzuddin Go All Out in Hong Kong
Men’s doubles players Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (pictured) will make their debut as an independent pairing tomorrow at the Hong Kong Open, facing a tough challenge ahead.
With world No. 3 pairing Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik absent, world No. 12 Goh and Izzuddin will be Malaysia’s highest-ranked men’s doubles duo in the competition, but their path is fraught with obstacles as they are placed in the top half of the draw.
They could potentially face Indonesia’s Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana in the second round, while South Korea’s world champions Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae, and Denmark’s world No. 2 Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, could await them in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.
Before that, Goh-Izzuddin face a tricky opening match against Taiwan’s world No. 26 duo Lee Fang-Chih and Lee Fang-Jen.
Last month, the Taiwanese pair defeated China’s world No. 7 pair He Jiting/Ren Xiangyu in the first round of the Japan Open, proving they are no pushovers. Goh-Izzuddin, meanwhile, have had a hectic few weeks, winning their biggest title to date at the Super 750 Japan Open and subsequently leaving the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to sign a sponsorship deal with Victor.
The pair are adjusting to their new identity as professional players and hope to make a strong impression in Hong Kong.
A solid performance in Hong Kong could propel Goh-Izzuddin into the world’s top 10.
Nur Izzuddin Rumsani
Goh Sze Fei
September 10, 2024
Want to Smash Like Viktor Axelsen? The Olympic Champion Reveals His Training Secrets
Two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen has unveiled the secret behind his powerful smashes and incredible agility on the badminton court. The 30-year-old player shared a 54-second video on Instagram, offering a glimpse into his workout routine.
In the video, Axelsen shared two of his key exercises:
Hex Bar Deadlifts
3-4 sets,
8-12 reps
Axelsen stated that hex bar deadlifts and lateral exercises are crucial to his powerful smashes. These exercises give him perfect balance and strengthen his leg muscles, which are essential for executing smashes. He recommends that young badminton players incorporate this exercise into their daily training to elevate their game.
He said, “Hex bar deadlifts can transform a badminton player’s level.”
“They are a great alternative to squats and deadlifts.”
“They build strong legs and explosive power, improve balance, and provide the strength you need for a more powerful jump smash.”
Bulgarian Split Squats or Dumbbell Lunges
3 sets per leg,
6-8 reps
In the second part of the video, Axelsen explained why Bulgarian split squats or dumbbell lunges are ideal for badminton players and how they have improved his agility over the years.
He explained, “These exercises build single-leg strength, enhance balance, and improve agility.”
“This is crucial for quickly changing direction on the court. Additionally, they help prevent injuries by strengthening stabilizer muscles.”
Axelsen and Social Media
The Danish player is also well aware of the power of social media and its ability to boost the popularity of badminton. He has amassed a million followers on Instagram, as well as on Weibo and TikTok.
他在接受法新社采访时表示：“我不会轻视社交媒体给我带来的曝光度。这是展示我的运动项目和打造个人品牌的绝佳机会。”
Olympic Champion Axelsen
Earlier this month, Axelsen defended his men’s singles title by defeating Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn to claim the gold medal. Axelsen needed only 52 minutes in the final to secure a 21-11, 21-11 victory over Vitidsarn.
Axelsen became the first European to win consecutive Olympic badminton singles gold medals. Just like in the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, his Paris victory remains the only medal won by a European in the sport
Video:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C_J7JIKofbl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_video_watch_again
Viktor Axelsen
September 10, 2024
Taipei Open: Chi Yu Jen Stops Chou Tien Chen Quest
Chou Tien Chen will need to wait another year to match compatriot Tai Tzu Ying’s five Taipei Open titles after being defeated in the semifinals of the 2024 YONEX Taipei Open by Chi Yu Jen.
Top-seeded Chou, who had previously claimed the title in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022, was beaten by his younger teammate 19-21, 21-11, 21-17 in a hard-fought 73-minute battle. This marks Chi’s first victory over Chou after losing their previous three encounters.
For Chi, this is a breakthrough, surpassing last year’s Round of 16 finish. He now advances to face another fellow Taiwanese player, second-seeded Lin Chun-Yi, in the men’s singles final. Lin secured his spot by defeating Lee Chia Hao 21-12, 21-19.
In other action, top-seeded women’s doubles duo Benyapa and Nuntakarn Aimsaard from Thailand were also knocked out in the semifinals. They fell to Indonesia’s Jesita Putri Miantoro and Feni Setianingrum 17-21, 21-9, 21-18.
Indonesia will now take home the women’s doubles title, with second seeds Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma and Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi winning their semifinal match against Laksika Kanlaha and Phataimas Muenwong 25-23, 21-16.
Chi Yu Jen
Chou Tien Chen
September 10, 2024