WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011 Draws out

The draws for the World Championships 2011, set to be held in London’s Wembley Indoor Arena from August 8-14, were held today in Kuala Lumpur, where they were witnessed by local media and by Malaysia’s coaches, some of whom gave their reactions.

By Ooi Ee Lyn, Badzine Correspondent live in Kuala Lumpur.  Photos: Badmintonphoto

Next month’s event is the 19^th edition of the World Championships, as well as the sport’s test event for the 2012 London Olympic Games. It is the first time in history that the world meet and the Olympics will be held in the same city – and the same stadium – in consecutive years.

The draws began just after Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen, originally seeded 14^th, was forced to pull a withdrawal after sustaining an unfortunate hamstring injury. His withdrawal has allowed fellow Dane Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, who was first on the reserve list, a last minute chance to star in the Wembley Arena.

In the men’s doubles discipline, China’s first seeds Cai Yun / Fu Haifeng are looking forward to being crowned world champions for the fourth time with their stable and solid performance on the circuit lately. However, Malaysia’s doubles coach Rexy Mainaky, who was present at the draw ceremony in Kuala Lumpur today, stated the possibility of the Chinese being threatened by third-seeded Jung / Lee of Korea.

When asked if the draw was in favour of his own charges Koo Kien Keat / Tan Boon Heong, Rexy stated that although they’ve managed to avoid three of their strongest opponents by competing in the bottom half of the draw, Korea’s Ko Sung Hyun / Yoo Yeon Seong (who are their potential opponents in the quarter-finals) will be a tough opponent.

“However, put aside the head-to-head reports and hopefully Koo/Tan can beat Ko/Yo,.”  Rexy said. “We – not just Koo and Tan, but also myself -, will learn from past experience. I now know that when I am confident with them from their well-done preparations, it becomes a pressure for them. So now we do it low profile.”

It was 18 years ago when the last non-Chinese player was crowned World Champion in the women’s singles event. A new hope shines for all other ladies this year as the Wembley Arena awaits to see a new women’s singles World Champion being born with none of the former winners qualifying for the 2011 Championships in London.

On the other hand, in the men’s singles, third seed Peter Gade will begin his journey with a spectacular opening, welcomed by England’s home favourite Rajiv Ouseph before expecting to meet Lin Dan in the semi-finals.

As for the draw faced by world #1 Lee Chong Wei, Malaysian head coach Rashid Sidek gave his analysis in which he pointed out that after defeating Tanongsak  in the 1st round, the following would be: Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka, Park Sung Hwang, Chen Long, Taufik Hidayat and Tago Kenichi. Sidek said it wouldn’t be easy from the 1st round: “Although Lee Chong Wei has beaten them rather easily in their previous meetings, we shouldn’t underestimate them.”

The Wembley Arena in London is known as the spiritual home of badminton. Besides having held the prestigious All England championships between 1957 and 1993, it is also the stadium where the badminton events will be staged in the 2012 London Olympic Games. As Rashid Sidek concluded at the draw ceremony in Kuala Lumpur today, “It would be great to win at Wembley.”

The complete draws are available for download here or can be viewed online here