Yonex Arcsaber 11 vs Arcsaber 10

After more than 4 years, a numerical successor to Yonex flagship Arcsaber line, Arcsaber 10-

ta-da,

Ak(u) Seiba jyu ichi  (アークセイバー11)

Launched before All England 2013, like most Yonex high end models making its debut at All England.

The frame on gross examination, showed similar profile, with the same stringing pattern. Arcsaber 11 even shared the same 6 X grommet, Yonex cat#AC416L-1 and the 2 X grommet cat#AC416W-1

Similar overall in construction except different material in the frame and the T-joint. Shaft materil is the same, i.e. HM graphite + ultra PEF.

Arc11 incorporated new (Neo) CS carbon Nanotube, and Sonic Metal in the frame. In the T-joint, there's a lighter internal T-joint called the T-ANCHOR.

Balance point and stiffness are roughly equivalent...Marketed as a successor to Arcsaber 10, this racquet is a control racquet.

Max recommended tension is similar, i.e. up to 24lbs. Surprisingly, not up to 26lbs, given the trend of stronger frames like the Nanoray and Voltric series.

More to come...

Resistance training for badminton (wrist/fingers)

Badminton is a fast sports that require explosive muscle movement, particularly the legs.

Explosive movements include lunges, block jumps, etc,
These muscle movements can be trained in the gym via resistance training. i.e. leg press, leg extension...

But how about training the strokes with resistance?

Above racquet head cover from Yonex with some vents.

Racquet cover are useful to add resistance via air drag. 

Coach Lee demonstrate his modified racquet head cover (similar in concept to the Yonex ones above)

Useful to improve finger power and wrist movement (for quick/short/sharp movement, difficult to simulate in the gym).

Imho this type of resistance training is better than a squash, heavy trainer (160-200g) racquet or heaven forbid a 300g tennis racquet.

Phiten stuff

Was shopping around Shibuya, chanced across the Phiten shop,

managed to buy a few at reasonable prices.

I was initially skeptical about Phiten, since it's just solubilized inert titanium.

The demo by the Japanese salesman was surprising, felt definite differences, it's like somehow affect the biochemistry of the muscles. Somehow fatigue disappears.

Checking their website, there are even publications in Biomaterials about the biological effects of aqua metal.

i.e. Sugita Y et al, Biomaterials 2011Nov;32(33);837-84

In summary, titanium has been known to form oxide layer when exposed to air, creating a biocompatible implant for used in total knee replacement/total hip replacement surgery and dental surgery.

But aqua titanium has effects?
I suspect since Titanium in a soluble form may have electrochemical effects i.e. Ti3+, like affecting the Na+/K+ pump of the nerves or calcium channel of  the muscles.

Perhaps more research need to be done...

Badminton shopping in Japan

Just concluded my shopping for badminton stuff in Tokyo.

I would say, badminton is not a rather popular sports in Tokyo, it's behind tennis and (Japanese) soft tennis.

Prices are similar across many shops. Most major badminton specialty shops can be found near major train stations, like Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno etc...

There is also a major sporting shopping area in  (御茶ノ水) Ochanomizu train station where they sell every sports goods under the sun you can find, i.e. golf, skiing, hiking, camping, tennis, etc.

A Mizuno boutique shop that have the complete range of badminton, tennis and soft tennis stuff.

Racquet brands are rather limited, mostly common Japanese brands like Yonex, Gosen, Toalson, Kumpoo and foreign brands like Prince, Wilson and Babolat. Li-Ning is rare and Victor is non-exsistant.

Shoe selections are wide, but as Japanese players have rather small feet, size above 28cm is very difficult to find. Ditto for socks, with size limit up to 28cm.

Badminton bags however are a different story, Tokyo has a good selection of Badminton bags.

Otherwise, customer service is very good.

Prices are fixed and rather high, but the good thing about Japanese products is quality; you get what you pay for!

Conclusion of Badminton 2012

The year 2012 of badminton draws to a close with the completion of the BWF Superseries Finals 2012.

The surprise of the day was the win by Danish pair Joachim Fischer Nielsen/Christina Pedersen over the olympic champs (Zhao Yunlei and Zhang Nan) in an exciting rubber game 17-21, 21-12, 21-14.

Another Danish pair of Moe/Mogensen won the men's doubles. The rest were swept by China.

2013 is next...

Lee Chong Wei's Autobiography

I just managed to get a copy of Lee Chong Wei's book, 'Dare to be a Champion'.

Publisher: Bukuganda

ISBN 978-967-10843-2-8

Front book jacket

                                                                    Back book jacket

Review: coming soon...

How to smash using the Nanoray 800!

 One needs a particular style of play to harness the unique qualities of the Nanoray 800.

Recently, Bodin Issara switched to Nanoray 800 from VTZF.

A 25kg smash won't do it as VTZF doesn't enhanced the sound of the smash.

You need to SHOUT or SCREAM when you smash, the sonic metal will enhance the power of your smash.

That's why Bodin Issara shouts and screams a lot. He can turn a 100km/h smash into a 200+km/h smash. 

 One can also scream after the smash to rub the salt in (after a smash winner that is)...