Powerful jumpsmash and deceptive jump drops

Tan Boon Heong (Malaysia) trying out to hit a hard smash. Notice his technique. Good reference for people wanting to get enough power into the smash.

If one has a good or rather steep smash, the jumpdrop may be a very good shot to use. Here Jung Jae Sung administering a jumpdrop to earn a point after Tan Boon Heong stood too far back in order to defend Jung's steep smashes.


GIFSoup

and in another angle


GIFSoup

New Li-Ning ad featuring Lin Dan

Conclusion of Malaysian Open 2010

Today, the MO 2010 just ended.
The results are not suprising with the continued dominace of Team China in the WD, XD and WS department.

The MD and MS are won by Malaysia.
The MS was a sort of white wash by LCW of Boonsak Ponsana.
Boonsak Ponsana is still one level behind LCW in terms of skill/speed/stamina.
It is a pity or else Kumpoo Power Shot Nano 2300 Hexagon would have shot up in price.

The MD games was excellent with the game stretched to rubber game. The net game was very important with the lanky Chinese player, Chen Xu challenging and managed to beat Malaysia's Koo Kien Kiat in a few net exchanges. The experience and aggression of Koo Kien Kiat managed to set up winners for himself and Tan Boon Heong. Eventually the Chinese pair began to make more mistakes lifting long and wide to avoid the netplay of Koo Kien Kiat. The crowd was pretty loud in the stadium and when Chen Xu gestured to the crowd to tone down, he was met with jeers. Given the weakness in China's MD apart from Fu/Cai, this 2nd doubles pair certainly gives China some depth in MD.

Beat up Carbonex 21

My faithful racquet for the past 6 years.

There are many paint chips, but painted over with gun-metal Tamiya acrylic paint.

Malaysia Open 2010

Today is the 2nd day of the Malaysian Open after yesterday's qualifying rounds.

Noticeable is the absence of Lin Dan, Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Simon Santoso.

The rest of the big guns of MS are here.

The men's doubles would be more interesting as most of the top guns are playing.

Asics Gel Rocket shoe review

Technology:
Trusstic for midfoot support
Forefoot GEL for shock attenuation
Removable moulded sockliner
EVA lasting

Fit: The shoe fits well enough, feels like no break-in period is needed. Size fits as indicated.

First impression:
The shoes feels like it sits slightly higher up the ground but not much when you wear it. There is extra shoe lace holes to tie the tongue securely and prevent ankle roll.

Game time: Great cushioning and great for lunges. However for explosive movement or split step, it's a bit slow. For jumpsmashes, the cushioning is good but a bit too heavy to chasse rearward quickly in position for a jumpsmash.

Pros: Nice colors, affordable price and cushioning.

Cons: A bit heavy and has not much ventilation.

Fit: 8.5/10
ventilation: 6/10
feel: 8/10
Cushioning: 9.5/10
Durability: 9.5/10
movement/: 7/10
Grip: 8/10

Yonex SHB-65CF shoe review

I just got this pair of shoe from Japan.

Technology: Ergo Shape, Round Sole, 3-layer Power cushion, very cool mesh, hexagrip sole, double russel mesh, Hyper msLITE, Power cushion Insole CF

First impression: This shoe is unique among Yonex badminton shoe as it has white colors in front and black in the heel/ankle area. The shoe sits slightly higher up the ground but still low enough.
The shoes comes with extra white shoe strings.

Fit: The shoe fits well enough, feels like no break-in period is needed. Size fits as indicated. The shoes sits slightly higher up the ground than a shb 100 ltd. Feels very comfortable wearing it.

Game time: This shoe has great mobility and cushioning. Lunging is easy and so is vertical jump, feels very cool even after 3 hours of game play.

Pros: Great looks, ventilation, cushioning, comfort and movement

Cons: Like most Yonex soles, it easily builds up dust and the sole may not be as durable

Fit: 9.5/10
ventilation: 9.5/10
feel: 9/10
Cushioning: 9.5/10
Durability: 7/10
movement/: 9.5/10
Grip: 9/10

Another Kumpoo racquet ad

Kumpoo advertisement

Boonsak Ponsana in Kumpoo ad.

Kumpoo Power Shot Nano 2300 Hexagon review

Kumpoo Power Shot Nano 2300 Hexagon
Review Date : 03 January 2010
Racket Type : Specs : 4UG5
Flex: stiff
Balance: 290+ mm
Strings: Yonex BG66
Tension: 25lbs , 1 Piece Stringing
Grip: Yonex Cyber Plus Beta grip + Toalson overgrip
Technology : narrow square frame, carbon nanotube, super durable frame, superlight weight structure, hexagon cap, hexagon shaft and tapered shaft.

First Impression:
Initially , I thought that this racquet from far looks like a Yonex Arcsaber 10. The colors comprising of red, beige, silver, black and flanked by beige at 2/10 o'clock to 4/8 o'clock . The racquet looks simplistic with less clutter/wordings. The grommets of the racquets is unique and the frame is 'H' shape, allowing the grommet + strings to lie inside between the frame. This probably protect the strings from damage. For the first time I handle it, the racket feels head heavy and the flex is somewhat stiff. The shaft is unique as the cone and up to 1/4 of the shaft are hexagonal in shape. The tapered shaft plus the hexagon shape made the flex stiff. However, the kickpoint/flex is higher up nearer the throat/T-joint area of the shaft.

This allows better control according to the manufacturer.

Warm Ups:
I can feel the racquet like an extension of my arm. The feel is excellent and the shots seems accurate. Clears are average and the drives are not bad. The drops are great and racquet seems fast. The racuqet doesn't flex much when swung overhead, owing to the unique kick-point. I needed to imput a lot strength to clear/smash with this racquet.

Game Time:
So far, I found the racuqet is roughly comparable to a AT900P but with less power but better feel/control. The smashes seemed a little weak, but could be because I didn't get behind the shuttle in time nor am I getting used to the racquet.

One week later, I tried to smash by standing near the baseline, the power is definitely there, but need to be swung with great speed and try to get your body weight onto the smash.

I can understand why it's designed for professional elite players like Boonsak Ponsana, they can execute perfect technique to flex the stiff shaft of the racquet, thus unleashing the power of the racquet.

Conclusion:
Here is a temporary conclusion: Great control and feel, above average power and defense. It's definitely not beginner friendly racquet. One of the rare racquets combining head heavy balance + stiff shaft. Best used by Professional, advanced or a high intermediate player.

Note: 1 month later I found the racquet to be an excellent racquet, smashes are pretty steep and the control is excellent. The power is definitely there once you are adapted to the racquet. It took me 1 month of continuously play (3 times a week) to finally exploit the racquet's swing.

Feel: 9/10
Control: 9.5/10
Power: 7.5/10 (3U maybe better)
Defense: 8.5/10
Maneuverability: 9/10

Pros : One of the best control racquet, good as advertised.

Cons: different kick-point from other racquets.

Suitability: Singles/doubles intermediate/advanced badminton player. Not suitable for beginners