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Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Tan Chun Seang

A professional player breaking his bond with the national team for personal reasons.

Widely reported in Malaysia and talk about in badmintoncentral.com

Reported on the 17 September 2009
"Chun Seang banned two years for quitting national squad
By RAJES PAUL
KUALA LUMPUR: Former back-up shuttler Tan Chun Seang has become the first Malaysian shuttler in a decade to face the music for quitting the national squad.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching and training committee decided yesterday to ban Chun Seang from taking part in any international tournaments for the next two years.
A player cannot compete in international tournaments if they are not endorsed by the national body.
Last week, the 22-year-old Chun Seang ended his five-year tenure with the national back-up squad citing family problems.
Chun Seang’s decision came just days after national coach Hendrawan had dropped him from the Vietnam Open following the shuttler’s lack of quality in training sessions.
BAM president Datuk Nadzmi Mohd Salleh said that in the future such cases would be reviewed depending on the gravity of the matter.
Nadzmi added that it was time for BAM to safeguard their programme.
“We have accepted Chun Seang’s resignation. He has cited family problems. He will not get our clearance to play in any international tournaments for the next two years,” said Nadzmi.
“We do not want a player to say that he is leaving because of family problems and then, months later, we find him playing with another club.
“We are giving him time to sort out his personal problems. The door will be open to him after two years.
“The BAM have spent a lot of time, money and resources in grooming the players. It is time we review the premature exit of the players.”
Prior to Chun Seang, many players had left the BAM on their own accord, like veterans Wong Choong Hann, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng and Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen.
“Some players have left us when they knew that their time (with the BAM) was up. At that time, we had no reason to stop them from competing in international tournaments,” said Nadzmi.
“Our reviews and actions will depend on a case-by-case basis. There can be cases when we will accept their decision without imposing any action on them.”
In the mid-90s, BAM had fined shuttlers who left the national body to join professional club Nusa Mahsuri."

Thestar.com.my

Friday, September 25, 2009

Arcsaber Z-Slash Review


Flex: stiff
Balance: 290 mm (head heavy)
Composition (Frame): CS carbon Nanostube + HM graphite
(Shaft): HM graphite + Ultra PEF
Weight/Grip size: 2U (90-94.9) G3-G5, 3U (85-89.9g) G3-G5
Technology: Ultra PEF, CS carbon Nanotube, New T-joint, New cs cap, Super HMG, new grommet system

Date : 24th September 2009
Racket Type : Yonex Arcsaber Z-Slash
Specs : 3UG5
Strings: Yonex BG66 Tension: 25lbs ,1 Piece Stringing
Stringing Machine : Pacific Stringing machine
Technology : Ultra PEF, Super HMG, CS carbon nanotube, new-T-joint, New CS cap
Grip: Yonex original grip + Toalson overgrip
Shuttle Used: Yonex AS40

First Impression: A slightly oval isometric racquet in the frame. Cacaphony of color, a mixture of laser yellow, white, red and black. The racquet is headheavy at about 290mm. The racquet has nice swing, being rather stiff. This racquet has a very slim and skinny shaft to reduce air resistance. The unique feature of this racquet is the racquet combines the features of being headheavy and fast to swing. This combination is perfect for generating a very powerful smash. Although claimed by Yonex to generate 414km/h, I would say it's quite an improvement of the Arcsaber 10 and definitely can hit a mean smash. The grommet stringing system is similar to Nanospeed 9000s/x. The frame is slightly oval.

Warm Ups: The swing of this racquet is extremely fast as it is aerodynamic. It is fantastic when playing netshots and drives. The clears are easy to excecute and smashing is just awesome. Smashing and clearing are no problem with this racquet as it is headheavy enough for the job, in fact, it feels like an Arcsaber 10 on steriods.

Game Time: Serving is good with this racquet, especially backhand serves. Flick serves and receiving service near the net are fast. Driving is excellent for both forehand and backhand. The clear is also good and so is the smash. For defense, for some reason, my wrist gets tired very fast, probably a combination of head-heavy and fast compact swing. I find I need to put more effort into repulsing smashes than a headlight racquet. Netkills are easy too with this weapon. Drops and sliced drops are excellent with this racquet, thus, the feel is great with this racquet.

Conclusion: A stiff racquet that's excellent on the attack and good in counterattacking. One of the better high end racquets produced by Yonex which combines the rare attributes of fast speed, head heaviness and control. However, unlike other Yonex racquets, this beast needs some break-in period.

Feel: 8.5/10
Control: 9.5/10
Power: 10/10
Defense: 7/10
Maneuverability: 9/10

Pros: Well made racquet and has great power and control. Aerodynamic shape means excellent maneuverability.

Cons: harder to defend than headlight racquets and price

Suitability: Skill level required, high intermediate/advanced player. For agressive hard hitters in doubles and attacking style player in singles.

YONEX/Sunrise sports recommendation for player type:
For professional players looking to break the smash barrier

Yonex rating 1-5
Power 5
Control 5
Flex 5
(Ref: Yonex badminton chart)

Thursday, September 24, 2009

My Badminton racquet collection 24th September 2009


Yonex: NS8000, NS9900, ArcZ-Slash, AT900P and Ti-10

Flagship highest end Yonex racquets
NS9900, ArcZ-Slash and AT900P

My complete collection
NS8000, Ti-10 X 2, Cab21, ArcZ-Slash, Gosen Aermet 6900, AT900P, NS9900, Apacs Lethal

I can't believe that I have so much racquets.

I have used and tested all of them.

My best racquet for singles: AT900P, ArcZ-Slash and Gosen Aermet 6900
My best racquet for doubles: Ti-10, NS8000 and NS 9900
My training racquets: Cab 21 and Apacs Lethal 25

Sunday, September 13, 2009

My racquet collection in August 2009


From left:
APACS Lethal 25,
APACS training 120
Yonex Nanospeed 9900
Wilson [K] Lite
Yonex Carbonex 21
Yonex Nanospeed 8000
Gosen Roots Aermet 6900 (Boonsak model)
Yonex Ti-10
Yonex Ti-10
Yonex Armortec 900 Power