China beat Japan 5-0, Malaysia set to play Taiwan in Thomas Cup quarters

Kunshan: Badminton powerhouse China managed to exact their revenge in front of home crowd on Wednesday when they produced ruthless destructions to beat Japan 5-0 to top Group A in the Thomas Cup Finals.Fu Haifeng/Zhang Nan form a formidable first men's doubles pair for China. (photo: AFP)

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Japan to send nine badminton players to Rio Olympics

Tokyo: After Japanese World No. 1 women’s doubles pair Ayaka Takahashi and Misaki Matsutomo defeated Naoko Fukuman and Kurumi Yonao 21-13, 21-15 in an all-Japan women’s badminton doubles final at the Asian Championships, Takahashi/Matsutomo have been named among the nine Japanese shuttlers who clinched their spots in all five disciplines at the Rio Olympics.A lot of respect to Ayaka Takahashi/Misaki Matsutomo and Naoko Fukuman/Kurumi Yonao's "Samurai spirit" when both pairs put up real fight in the BAC final, contrary to "Li Yongbo" style that brought shame to badminton with walkovers and match throwings.

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Kento Momota, Kenichi Tago officially removed from BWF rankings

Kuala Lumpur: Although Japanese young badminton star Kento Momota who has been denied a spot on Japan’s team for this summer’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics after receiving an indefinite suspension from the Nippon Badminton Association on April 10, 2016 for his visit to an illegal casino, but he hadn’t officially been removed from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Ranking, until this Thursday.The "more than a year" suspension of Kento Momota and Kenichi Tago is unnecessary and is a complete waste of a talent.

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Chen Long makes shock exit, Lin Dan advances at All England

Birmingham: After World No. 2 Lee Chong Wei crashed out in shock All England defeat yesterday, World number one Chen Long of China slumped to a 19-21, 17-21 loss to compatriot Xue Song in the men’s singles second round of the prestigious badminton event on Thursday, while Lin Dan advanced with a tight victory.Chen Long's defeat at All England throws men's singles race wide open. (photo: GettyImages)

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Lin Dan, Jan O Jorgensen reach German Open semifinals

Mulheim: Two time Olympic champion Lin Dan of China and Denmark’s Jan Ø. Jørgensen stayed on course for the men’s singles final clash after they both advanced to the men’s singles semi-finals at German Open on Friday."Super Dan" and his "Super Big" badminton rackets. (photo: Yonex)

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Indonesia seals dramatic Badminton Asia Team Championships victory

Hyderabad: Although the Indonesian men’s team has qualified for the Thomas Cup, they did not take Japan lightly in Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) final on Sunday. Both teams were neck and neck throughout the tie until Indonesia overcame Japan in an epic decisive fifth match to seal a 3-2 win.Indonesian men's team wins the 2016 Badminton Asia Team Championships title. (photo: AFP)

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Goh V Shem & Tan Wee Kiong need 3 sets to advance at Mexico City GP

Mexico City: Although still fresh from their victory at the USA Grand Prix last weekend, the men’s doubles No. 2 seeds Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong looked sluggish in the second set, and were pushed to three sets before beating Michael Fuchs/Johannes Schoettler of Germany 21-19, 14-21, 21-9 in the Mexico City Grand Prix quarter-finals on Friday. Goh and Tan will play Bodin Issara and Nipitphon Puangpuapech of Thailand to seek a final berth.Goh V Shem & Tan Wee Kiong are on course to win the Mexico City GP title.

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Lee Chong Wei to meet Wang Zhengming in French Open semis

Paris: Former world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei will face world No. 9 Wang Zhengming of China in the semi-finals of the French Open after both players enjoyed quarter-final victories in Paris.

Lee Chong Wei, winner at the 2011 French Open, needed just 36 minutes to beat world No. 22 Japanese Sho Sasaki in the quarter-finals.Lee Chong Wei should watch out for Wang Zhengming in the semi-finals.
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Kenichi Tago quits Japan national team

Tokyo: Kenichi Tago who played a critical role in defeating China in the semifinals of the 2014 Thomas cup tournament, has decided to quit the Japan national team starting on October 1. The Nippon Badminton Association had announced that Tago will be competing as an independent shuttler going forward.Best wishes to Kenichi Tago!

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