TAHITI INT’L – No final kick for Bruce-Li

Bruce Li was once world-renowned for being the king of Kung Fu, but the duo of (Alex) Bruce and (Michelle) Li (photo) is today one of the Americas’ best badminton women’s doubles pairs. Yet they failed to live up to their ranking when they were beaten this Sunday in the Tahiti Air Nui International by USA’s Paula Obanana and Eva Lee, who are 2500 points behind the Canadians in the latest Olympic Dummy List for the only Pan-American spot for London.

Raphael Sachetat. Photos: Badmintonphoto (archives)

Michelle Li, however, secured the title in the women’s singles – another one after her brilliant victory on the other side of the Pacific in Peru last week, where she beat Ai Goto in the final.  This time, Li triumphed over her new compatriot Nicole Grether, formerly of Germany.  Alex Bruce will have to settle for two silvers as she was beaten in the final of the mixed.

The men’s singles event was an interesting one with an unexpected final between Tan Chun Seang and Israel’s Misha Zilberman (photo) who was very close to winning his first International Challenge. The Malaysian had to dig deep to win the first game 30-29 before easily delivering in the second 21-8.  Zilberman might still find that his runner-up performance could send him to London, as he started the week just off the reserve list and within 1500 points of current last qualifier Petr Koukal.

Australia and Canada shared the honors in the remaining events, with Liu/Ng winning in men’s doubles while Smith and Veeran took the mixed.

The event was a great success once again, with participants enjoying a land of paradise as well as a great tournament which provided some important qualifying points for the Olympics.

“This tournament was so good , the place and the organization …. I just want to thank you for this week,” said men’s singles runner-up Misha Zilberman to Badminton Tahiti.

Results
MS: Tan Chun Seang (MAS) beat Misha Zilberman (ISR): 30-29, 21-8
WS: Michelle Li (CAN) beat Nicole Grether (CAN): 21-8, 21-13
MD: Liu / Ng (CAN) beat Smith/Warfe (AUS): 23-21, 21-13
WD: Lee/Obanana (USA) beat Bruce/Li (CAN): 21-13 21-12
XD: Smith/Veeran (AUS) beat Ng/Bruce (CAN): 23-21, 21-14

Full Results