China, Korea each sending Olympic gold medallists to Universiade

Korea is going all-in with its badminton team for the Summer Universiade, which kicks off next week in Kazan, Russia but China, too, is fielding a formidable team, including London gold medalist Tian Qing.

By Don Hearn.  Photos: Badmintonphoto

As Kazan prepares to host the 27th Summer Universiade, reports are beginning to trickle in about the players being sent for the badminton competition.  Korea has made public its entire team, which is made up of all current national team members, including world #1 Lee Yong Dae and Ko Sung Hyun.  Also on the Korean team are two-time World Junior Champions Lee So Hee / Shin Seung Chan, Korea Open champion Sung Ji Hyun, and 2011 Universiade gold medallist Jang Ye Na.

Not to be outdone, China is also sending a very strong team, including current Olympic gold medallist Tian Qing, who also won silver at the Universiade in 2007.  China, which was shut out of the golds at home in Shenzhen in 2011, is also sending Australian Open champion Tian Houwei, Macau Open champion Sun Yu, and Malaysia Open runner-up Yao Xue.

Chinese Taipei, who dominated the women’s singles final both in Shenzhen in 2011 and at last year’s World University Badminton Championships, will hope to bring home that gold again, probably relying on new world #8 Tai Tzu Ying.  Tai, who beat Yao Xue in the Malaysia Open final, has lost both of her matches with Sun Yu but has a slight edge over Sung Ji Hyun.  In all, the women’s singles is shaping up to be a fascinating contest.

Still to come is the team roster for Thailand, which led the way in Shenzhen, winning two golds and three bronze medals.

** Update: You can now click here to view the complete rosters for the badminton competition at the 27th Universiade in Kazan **