OLYMPICS Day 3 – Tago to go

Former All England runner-up Kenichi Tago of Japan left his first Olympics early after a shock defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka’s Niluka Karunaratne.

By Don Hearn, Badzine Correspondent.  Photos: Badmintonphoto (archives)

Niluka Karunaratne (pictured) is not exactly an unknown shuttler.  He may be ranked a lowly 48^th in the world, but in the past year, he has won two International Challenges, beaten the likes of Dicky Palyama, and been 2 points away from beating Boonsak Ponsana.

Still, no one would have predicted that he could take down Japan’s world #8 Kenichi Tago, who followed up his runner-up finish at the 2010 All England with two more appearances in finals of Superseries matches in the past year.

But that’s just what he did.  Niluka, who was chosen to carry his nation’s flag at the Opening Ceremonies of these 2012 London Olympics, sent Tago packing with a 21-18, 21-16 victory.  As their preliminary round group had only two players, Niluka will be the one advancing to the round of 16, where he will likely take on the winner between Vietnam’s Nguyen Tien Minh and Parupalli Kashyap of India.

Another shuttler most famous for her best runner-up finish was also in action on Monday but former Asian games silver medallist Yip Pui Yin (pictured right) was the one celebrating, as she knocked off world #8 Sung Ji Hyun of Korea in straight games.

Sung, who celebrated her 21^st birthday the day before, raced out to a seemingly commanding lead after dropping the first game but could not hold off the veteran from Hong Kong and succumbed on Yip’s second match point opportunity.

Korea was earlier dealt another blow as defending mixed doubles gold medallist Lee Yong Dae suffered his second loss.  He and partner Ha Jung Eun could not find a way past former World Champions Thomas Laybourn / Kamilla Rytter Juhl as the Danes won in two to set up a repeat of their All England final with Ahmad/Natsir that will decide who tops Group C.

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