Pre-Washington Open Excitement

Draws are out! For those of you curious, check'em out here:

http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/draws.aspx?id=6ADB855F-A959-442A-8916-53EB79E861E3


Just for a little excitement, I figured I'd write an entry devoted to previewing the players and determining who I think will grab the trophies year!

*SPOILER ALERT....because I'm PSYCHIC...*

Tournamentsoftware reminds me of facebook, for you badminton-fanatics. Using the amazing search function, or by simply clicking the names of the players (granted they use the same name every tournament), you can check out their history--how well they've played against other players, what scores they got, who they used to play with, etc. From that, you can pretty much determine what kind of players they are! Helps you get a little ahead of your competition if you're up for doing your research!

A sigh of relief washes over Washington when they realize that Elisha L. can't make it down to Washington this year. She has a nasty habit double-triple crowning and stealing all of our trophies every year, so now's your chance to win'em back! (*hint to Amy 'Goddess' J.? Time to grab that Women's Singles!)

Unfortunately I'm not fluent with Canadian rankings, but the draw is implying a final of Vicky C. vs. Amy 'Goddess' J. The draw looks pretty mixed, though, and I'm looking forward to watching some great matches!

Rumor has it that Curtis' Californian(?) doubles partner Nicholas J. will be serving himself a platter with a few trophies of his own. It's no doubt that they'll make a great team, but against each other? That'll keep us at the edge of our seats. Could Curtis lose his Men's Singles trophy this year? (I guess it doesn't matter much, because Ernest S. is in the draw, and there's no doubt that 'God' can control the birdie with his mind.)

With that said, I'm surprised that Curtis and Nicholas aren't at the opposite end of the draw from last year's winners KSo and Vincent T. Instead, Ken F. and Jensen L. are--but they DID go into 3 relatively close games last year...it makes sense, looking at last year's tournament winners...so we'll see if they can keep their spots!

Rosalynn's back from Canada to defend her title in Women's Doubles--but with a new partner this year! Malisa, another Badmintology organizer, will be playing in Elisha's place! Can they take out their competition? I'd assume so--from my amateur guesses, I'd say their next best match would be against Christine C. and The Goddess. ("The Goddess" sounds better than just "Amy Goddess"). Then again, I'm not too fluent in Canadian rankings, so we'll see how it plays out.

Last but not least, mixed doubles. The finals for mixed always draws the biggest crowd--so much tension! The games against Sisavat and Masako against KSo and Ros were close last year-- 3 games, no doubt, one of them ending at 23-21. Grounds are shaky this year, since Long has been MIA from the badminton courts for a while (at least compared to last year...). Who knows what will happen! One thing's for sure-- neither is going down without a fight!

(*well...then again...Sisavat has been known for forfeiting matches before...but only in singles. So that shouldn't happen--no way.)



Of course, these are just blind guesses from the results last year. There are plenty of new names/faces this time around, so don't be fooled! SHOW NO MERCY! 21-0 if you have to--play it safe!


I hear the draw prizes this year are even better than the last, so no matter how your matches go, you could still walk away with a better prize in your hand! (I'd definitely take a racket or a bag over a trophy ANY day! But that's just me...)

We hope to see you all at the sunny, 74th annual Washington Open 2011!

Sendai Relief Open

For those of you who want to help Japan but don't know where to start, SBC has been doing some great things.

JK of Seattle Badminton Club is organizing a "Sendai Relief Open", a mini-tournament dedicated to raising funds for those in Tokiwagi Gakuen High School in Sendai, Japan. All proceeds are going to the Japan Relief Fund, so test out your badminton skills for a good cause!

It's in a co-ed doubles format, and costs $25 per team.

Players have to provide their own birdies, but there will be some for you to purchase there, so no worries!

And for those of you who aren't members at SBC, the drop-in fee is included if you join--so all the better!

SENDAI RELIEF OPEN

When?: May 14, 2011, 7:00PM

Where?: Seattle Badminton Club

How much?: $25 per team

Deadline: MAY 14, 2011 AT NOON (day of the tourney)

E-mail jaikannan@gmail.com for entry

Anything special: A great charity tournament going to a good cause. A/B/C format!

Link to the flyer: http://www.seattlebadminton.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/SendaiOpen.pdf

The Washington Open is coming up, so this is a fantastic opportunity for you to train for the big tournament! Get to know your opponent's weakness! There isn't much time left for training, and this is a good place to put it all to the test!

e-mail Jaikannan at jaikannan@gmail.com! DO IT NOW!

On another great note

The Washington Open 2011 has a GREAT turn out this year! The tournamentsoftware player's page has so many people that the organizers aren't allowing any more entries, and no more extra people allowed at the banquet or else the buffet will be FLOODED! This is FANTASTIC NEWS, everyone! The Washington Open is growing rapidly each year! (It looks like there are more Canadians than Americans...what's going on here?!)

(Also, rumor has it that a great new player is coming from outside of Washington to show his skills....I wonder who that will be?! Watch out, seeded players!)

If you weren't able to sign up this year, don't worry too much--another international tournament, the WA State Games, is coming up at the end of June! Make sure you sign up for that one early to get a spot, and remember to sign up early for the Washington Open earlier next year!

See you all soon!

Solibad-- Badminton Without Borders

Solibad, Solibad, Solibad, Solibad.

It's hard to Google badminton without the name 'Solibad' popping up--and I'm glad that it has, or else I wouldn't have been so curious to check it out myself.

Solibad hasn't even reached a year old, and it's already been doing great things with the huge international badminton community. Connected with the top players of the world, it brings sport and community together to do it's part in helping to make the world a better place.

So what is it?

Solibad is an organization devoted to channeling the badminton community-- to use it's networking power, to raise funds for various projects around the world, some of which relate to badminton, and all of which will bring smiles to childrens faces all over the world.

Some of their projects have included "1000 Rackets for Haiti", "CAREFORKIDS Bali" (an orphanage in Indonesia), and many more--check'em out at their website: Projects.

Each country has their own badminton star who devotes their time and efforts to spreading the word, and it comes to no surprise that our very own Tony Gunawan is the ambassador for the USA (player profile on him coming soon!). I don't know who's more fit for the role. :)

The biggest project they have now to raise awareness is their Solibad Flashmob-- which is just as exciting as it sounds! If you've been on YouTube, you've probably seen plenty of Glee flashmobs that have taken place in public places all over the country....(one of the biggest happened a few weeks ago in Seattle Downtown!). Now's your chance to be in one...and for a good cause!

In the US, Solibad plans to have one in Chicago and Los Angeles-- so check the website if you want to join in! They plan to link dancers internationally on June 5, 2011 (day after my birthday!) to come together, dance their hearts out, and spread the word about the great things they're doing.

If you want to join in, then head on over to their site. Check out the top right menu, and click the corresponding links to what you qualify as. You can donate, become a Solibad ambassador, or just help them spread the word!

It's such an inspirational thing--what they're doing--and it's great to know that so many wonderful people are out there, doing what they can, and loving it.

Let's bring the badminton community even closer together, and make the world a better place... one step at a time. Spread the word about Solibad and do your part today!

Racecar....NOT DOUBLE DECKER BUS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_V38c4kDP8#t=8m29s

^ Link, because youtube doesn't let me embed to a specific time in the movie...

REMEMBER. RACECAR POSTURE, NOT DOUBLE DECKER BUS!

you are HUNGRY FOR THE SHUTTLE.

Not like having an X'Mas dinner. YOU ARE HUNGRY. FOR THE SHUTTLE. LIKE A RACECAR.

I won't lie, though. I laughed when I watched this video, but the next time I was on the court, I was definitely working on my racecar posture. Humor is the best way to teach, my friend. :)

Youtube is the best place for getting free lessons. So, I wouldn't be surprised if any of you've looked for badminton lessons before.

WedgeBC has uploaded a bunch of CCTV ones--with subtitles, too, so you don't have to worry too much about learning Chinese. Taught by 1991 World Champion Zhao Jianhua-- seems like such a laid back guy, and the lesson seems so casual, it's kind of comforting to watch. He's left handed, though!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqiR2vVn-J8

I've heard that people learn the most from motivation by watching actual games. A personal favorite of mine are Vita Marissa's mixed doubles...and thanks to BadmintonFreak, you can watch all of your favorites, with easy searching on their sidebar :)

BadmintonFreak

But whatever you watch, remember

NOT A DOUBLE DECKER BUS.

Washington Open!

There's just something about that badminton junkie in me that loves seeing badminton being played in pop culture...

(Refer to 2:22 of the trailer above)

Playing badminton in the summer sun...isn't it fabulous? If you like that, there's no doubt you'd LOVE the...

WASHINGTON OPEN 2011!!

That's right, boys and girls, the official post that you've all been waiting for! It's finally here!

Both a competitive event and a social event, it's the biggest tournament of Washington state, and you're invited! Come join us for a great weekend of sun! For the Canadians, the tournament happens to lie on a 3-day weekend--just for you! So, if you don't have plans (or if you do, get rid of'em!), join us!

Washington Open 2011!

When?: May 20-22, 2011

Where?: Seattle Badminton Club (10858, 117th Pl NE 98033 Kirkland WA )

How much?: $35 for the first, event +$5 every other. (covers the T-Shirt, the shuttles, AND the Saturday Banquet where you can score a TON of free stuff!)

Entry Deadline: MAY 1st, 2011 11:59 PM

Link?: CLICK HERE

Why should you join? Have a habit of making pros and cons lists? Well, let me help you out there:

PROS

* Meet badminton players from Washington, British Columbia, Calgary, and California...and many more!

* It's awesome.

* Get AMAZING trophies!

* Challenge people you've never played before!

* It's awesome.

* YONEX SPONSORED EVENT?

* It's awesome.

* The sun will be out!

* GREAT Saturday night dinner--tons of food, with YONEX prizes and fun and games!

* YOU will be there. (and YOU will make it awesome!)

CONS

* May overdose on too much fun.

*NONE.

Last year was the first year that the generous Yonex organization decided to sponsor them. The tournament ended with happy athletes carrying away free grips, bottles, racket bags and RACKETS-- getting stage time to sing "A Whole New World", finding out someone wanted to be a monkey, and many many full stomachs.

Every year, the wonderful, hard-working organizers (Clinton Chen and Katherine Ip) get fantastic feedback, and every year the tournament only gets bigger.

For those of you who are traveling a long way, we've got great hotel deals for you:

Hilton Bellevue
Rate: $89 per night
Reservation: http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/L/LION-HF-BADT-20110520/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG
or call call 425-455-1300 and ask for "Washington State Open Badminton Tournament" group rate.

Marriott Courtyard Kirkland (2 miles from Seattle Badminton Club)
Rate: $95 per night
Reservation: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/seatc?groupCode=annannb&app=resvlink&fromDate=5/20/11&toDate=5/22/11
or call (425) 602-3200 or (800) 321-2211 and ask for Annual WA State Open Badminton Tournament group rate.
Need to reserve by April 29th, 2011

Marriott Fairfield Inn Bellevue/Redmond
Rate: $84 per night
Reservation: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/BVUFI?groupCode=WBTWBTA&app=resvlink&fromDate=5/20/11&toDate=5/22/11
Need to reserve by April 29th, 2011

All for us!

For more information, check out the REGULATIONS on tournament software

So there you have it! 5 people have already signed up, and it's time for you to join'em!

So get your game on, and sign up soon! Can't wait to see you there!

2011 Yonex Junior and U23 Canadian National Badminton Championships!

great video...and such motivating music...

Loving the victory roar at 0:52....

The Junior and U23 Canadian National Badminton Championships are to be held in BC this year! Recognize anyone in the video? You better--because they'll be the stars of tomorrow! Soon, BadmintonSquare will be reporting on their wins....IN THE OLYMPICS!

Top players could get intimidated by these crazy jumps! These kids are so young...and so, so tall...

Nathan Choi, a junior player in BC (in the red/yellow shirt in the video...and at 0:52) was the talk of the town since Baddi Royale II concluded this past weekend! Heard many things about this tall kid creaming everyone in Blue Shell Men's Doubles...better watch out!

Best of luck to all of the young players who are getting ready, as the National Badminton Championships are right around the corner! (May 2-7, 2011). Keep inspiring the rest of us to work that much harder! We look forward to watching you all dominate!

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After exploring the vast sea of the internet, full of badminton addicts and aspiring players, I've come across a lot of blogs written by Canadian athletes who are mapping their way to success, through blog form! It's a great way to follow a player as they work hard to achieve their goal.

Some that I've discovered... worth checking out (Hope they don't mind me sharing!):

Brad Mear

Toby Ng (Recently moved to Calgary?)

Derrick Ng (also has recipes?!)

Great, fascinating articles on the hard work it takes to be a professional athlete! Some talk about their international trips, some explain the techniques in badminton and in training...and some have delicious recipes..? Best of luck to all of them from 'the states'!

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And, last but not least, if all of that didn't entertain you enough...

Wouldn't badminton be so much better if there was Star Wars background music? We'd go through a lot more birdies if our rackets were replaced with light sabers...but...soo soooo worth it....

1000?!?!?!?!?!?

HAPPY 1000, BADMINTONSQUARE!

Don't forget that you can also check up on new stories on BadmintonSquare using your Android or iPhone! :) (Anything that can get on the internet, I guess...)

The great thing about blogspot is that it tells me information about how people get to my site, and it's pretty amusing. So in celebration, I'll share some of them with you! :)

When searching on google and stumbling upon my site, a majority of people are searching for "badminton puns". Not badminton! (Ok, I'm out. Anyone have any suggestions?) I guess there are plenty of badminton team tshirts in the works? If anyone has any, I'd love to see'em! Shoot us an e-mail and we'll post your lovely artwork for the world to see.

Among other searches were "xu huaiwen", "wendy carter"...you know...the usual.

Some of the interesting ones...

"tina jiang WA" (I don't think I've ever mentioned her...?)

"badminton manly sport" (rofl)

"girl with no pants" (WHAT?)

"no pants girl" (....)

....maybe this isn't such a good idea.

Majority of the views come from the US and Canada-- but a significant amount of others came from countries all over the world...Malaysia, India, Japan, France, the Phillipines, Indonesia, Taiwan, China, Australia, Madagascar, Egypt, Netherlands, the UK, Germany, and many many many more--so many that my chart can't fit the complete list! And guess what? I love each and every one of you.

Looking forward to the bright future of BadmintonSquare!

If you guys have any great suggestions or want to post anything in particular, then feel free to e-mail me or comment below! I'd love to hear your feedback!

I'll set up a poll soon, too, to see what types of articles you guys are most interested in. Want to hear about a particular tournament or research on a specific player? Tell me!

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BADMINTOLOGY BADDI ROYALE II is this weekend!

Good luck to all of the players!

And good luck to the Husky Badminton Club members, who are venturing past the border during the wee hours of the night! I guarantee you guys won't regret it!

The Badmintology towel this time around looks fantastic--it makes me want to take a trip up! Make sure you take a look at the Badmintology website, and make a purchase if you want to buy it! If you played in this tournament, you can get it for a cheaper price, too! Great deals!~

They often have tables lined up outside for various deals on badminton equipment. Make sure you take a look at those and see if they have anything you want!

The 2011 UO Badminton Tournament is next weekend!

For those of you who haven't signed up, YOU STILL HAVE TIME! Deadline is April 3rd, 2011-- so DO IT NOW! It's NEVER too late for a last minute roadtrip, ESPECIALLY FOR BADMINTON!!!

For more information, check out their blog! Remember, more than $1500 in prizes! Go get yourself a medal and show'em what you got!

If you don't think your ready, then start training for the upcoming Washington Open 2011 tournament! It's never too early to sign up--the sooner the better!

We'll see you guys there!