Friday January 18, 2013
Russians now a badminton force to reckon with
RUSSIA is well known for sports like football, volleyball, ice-hockey and even figure-skating.
But a current crop of Russian shuttlers are fast making a name for themselves ... with a few impressive performances over the past year.
First, it was the women’s pair of Valeria Sorokina-Nina Vislova, who won the bronze medal at the London Olympics last year.
Then, last week, men’s singles shuttler Vladmir Ivanov created history by becoming the first Russian man to reach the quarter-finals of a Super Series event at the Korean Open when he defeated world No. 15 Jan O Jorgensen in the second round.
The tall and strapping shuttler, however, failed to get past the first round of the Maybank Malaysian Open, losing 15-21, 18-21 to Hong Kong’s Wong Wing Ki in the first round at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Still Ivanov, who is primarily a doubles player with Ivan Sozonov, believes that it is a good start for Russia and that it will pave the way for more success in the future.
“I actually didn’t expect to make the quarter-finals at the Korean Open mainly because I focused more on the men’s doubles,” said Ivanov.
“But I’m happy because it was a good result and it makes badminton every bit more popular back in Russia.
“In fact, the sport really started to pick up when our women’s pair won bronze at the Olympics last year.
“It’s a pity that I lost in the first round here because my opponent was very good. It’s also partly due to the different temperature here as it’s cold in Russia.”
He certainly had better fortunes in the doubles, teaming up with Sozonov to send KLRC’s Mohd Zakry Mohd Tazari-Mohd Fairuzizuan packing in the first round. The world No. 15 won 19-21, 21-14, 21-16.
And the Russians continued to march on to the quarter-finals. Yesterday, Ivanov and Sozonov surprisingly scored a 21-19, 21-18 win over Indonesians Alven Yulianto-Markis Kido in the second round.
- Hosts Malaysia make a tame exit at the hands of Germany
- BAM: There will be no more sweeping under the carpet
- It’s the last $traw thanks to the BWF
- Japanese upset Danes and Joo-bong is all smiles
- Denmark not prepared to take on mighty China just yet
- Dane loves to unwind with her Modern Family
- Tommy not afraid to play for country despite loss
- Low Wee Wern fails to clear opening round again in British Open
- Cyclists give the thumbs up to world-class velodrome
- Savinder Kaur is new middle distance queen after 1,500m victory
- Tomic will play French Open despite troubles - Woodbridge
- Winger Ioane faces fitness race for first Lions test
- Cheruiyot expecting first child, aims to return in 2014
- Ramy wins fiery battle of words and deeds
- Injured Murray withdraws from French Open
- Zhang Jike retains world crown to secure fourth major title in a row
- Joy for Thongchai after Match-Play woe
- Rafie set to help Modenas catch up with rivals
- BAM: There will be no more sweeping under the carpet
- Australian Evans says Giro dream still alive
RSS
