WORLD JUNIORS 2011 – China pulls out

The favourites and current World Junior Champions in the mixed team event,  the Suhandinata Cup, China have pulled out of the upcoming World Junior Championships to be held in Chinese Taipei next month. The news broke when the BWF received last-minute confirmation that the Chinese were withdrawing from the competition. No official explanation was given yet, but it is certainly a blow to the competition, but at the same time, a chance for other nations to shine. The main favourite in the men’s singles will remain the same as Viktor Axelsen from Denmark is the title holder.

Malaysia’s  Asian Junior Champion Zulfadli Zulkifli is also one of the hot prospects and in his own category, but thinks China’s withdrawal will have less impact for him:

“China’s absence doesn’t make much of a difference. Axelsen is the player to beat. We also have good players from other countries like South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia and India. With so many contenders, it won’t be easy,” the Malaysian youngster told the Star. He also mentioned that they didn’t know why China pulled out but that “there were talks that it was political since it was held in Chinese Taipei” he added.

China was looking more vulnerable in boys’ singles than they have since they last lost the Suhandinata Cup, in 2006.  Since winning the 2010 Asian Junior Championship,  Huang Yuxiang has been beaten by Axelsen, Korea’s Choi Sol Kyu, and by both Kento Momota and Akira Koga of Japan.