Yonex SHB65FT Review

A replacement of SHB65CF, this shoe model was released in 2011.

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

First impression: This shoe is replacement for Yonex badminton shoe SHB65CF. Comes in two colors, shine orange and black/white. The shoe sits slightly higher up the ground but still low enough. The shoe comes with extra shoe strings.

Fit: The shoe fits well enough, feels like no break-in period is needed. Size fits as indicated. The shoes sit slightly higher up the ground than SHB65CF. Feels very comfortable wearing it, support is very good but felt a bit bulky/chunky.

Game time: Although the shoe felt bulky, this shoe felt bouncy when performing footwork (split step) to hit a shot (landing with the racquet foot). 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, easily builds up dusts and the sole may not be as durable.

Fit: 9.5/10

Ventilation: 9.5/10

Feel: 8.5/10

Cushioning: 9.5/10

Durability: 8/10

Movement/: 9/10

Grip: 9/10

BWF Superseries Finals

Next month in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur:

http://www.bwfbadminton.org/tournamentcalendar_event.aspx?id=16699

From 11th to 15th December 2013.

Hmm, should I go to watch?

Ever since Li-Ning sponsor BWF, the badminton shopping at the event is as good as the (ahem) previous sponsor. Li-Ning doesn't give good discounts...maybe I'm too cheap...

Location is at Cheras instead of Bukit Jalil.

Useful singles trick shot

Here Gade demonstrate a double action shot, at the net, fake a crosscourt net shot to lure the opponent to the front left court, while the shot is lifted straight to the back court.

Badminton training-TACTIC

Cool way to practise badminton strokes.

SPIN-MINTON from the company TACTIC

United Kingdom badminton shops

Managed to sneak in some window shopping in London. Didn't find the specific badminton shops, perhaps I didn't research beforehand. London is huge, was lost in Bond street.

Managed to see some badminton stuff in Piccadilly Circus, particularly Lillywhites. Lots of Carlton badminton stuff and some Yonex.

There is also the Badminton centre of the UK, at Milton Keynes, i.e. http://www.nbc.uk.com
It's pretty far from London, which I didn't have time to visit.
 
From what I see, Football (scoccer), Cricket, track/field, tennis are way more popular than badminton.

Down town London perhaps is not a good place to look for badminton stuff, but more towards high fashion, like Selfridges at Bond Street above.

At Harrods in Kensington/Chelsea area.
                                                 

  Burberry shop at Bond Street.

World Championship 2013 Conclusion

The recently concluded World Championship 2013 in China saw a number of upsets.

The best games by far was the women's singles, with Thailand's Ratchanok Itanon beating Olympic champion Li Xuerui in a thrilling rubber game 22-20, 18-21, 21-14.

The other great game was the Mixed doubles which saw Natsir/Ahmad beating Ma Jin/Chen Xu 21-13, 16-21, 22-20.

The other games were status quo.

i.e. Women's doubles Yu Yang/Wang Xiaoli beating the lower ranking South Korean opponent.

Boe and Morgensen were somewhat 'upset' by the Indonesian pair of Ahsan/Setiawan.

Lin Dan beat Lee Chong Wei in a rubber game which saw Lee Chong Wei surrendering the game before completion at 16-21, 21-13, 20-17.

Lee Chong Wei claimed he suffered from crams. There was some controversy with the game, as the reports states, that the air-condition in the stadium was switched off in the 2nd game. The reason was the air-conditioned created some draft inside the stadium.

Violence caught on video- personal insults spilled into badminton court

Two thai players came into blows following insults thrown at each other.