Korea announce squad for Sudirman Cup while England reveal line-up for World Badminton Championships
Korea have finally revealed their badminton squad for the Sudirman Cup, starting from May 22 in Qingdao, China. England, on the other hand, declared their badminton team, comprising of players of
all five categories, for the 2011 World Badminton Championships.
There are no new players in the Korean line-up for the Sudirman Cup 2011. As Jung Jae Sung has returned from his honeymoon, Korea will feature two men’s doubles teams. Meanwhile, the men’s singles
category will be represented by Park Sung Hwan, Lee Hyun Il and Shon Wan Ho.
A big question mark remains over the women’s category though, as Bae Seung Hee, the Uber Cup women’s singles Champion last year, had to pull out of the Sudirman Cup 2011 due to a thigh injury. As
a result, Kim Moon Hi and Jang Ye Na have been selected for the squad.
Ha Jung Eun will be facing a lot of pressure as she has been paired with a new partner, Lee Yong Dae, for the mixed doubles competitions. Korea could have, but didn't go, with the successful combination
of Ha Jung Eun-Ko Sung Hyun or Kim Min Jung-Yoo Yeon Seong.
Ha and Kim, as women’s doubles partners, have achieved two milestones already. Their first title win was at the Swiss Open Grand Prix and their first victory at Badminton Asia Championships came when
they defeated the Chinese duo.
Korea is the second nation after China to win mixed team badminton World Championship since the first edition of the event in 1989, which was won by Indonesia.
Sudirman Cup squad from Korea
Men
Singles: Park Sung Hwan, Lee Hyun Il, Shon Wan Ho
Doubles: Jung Jae Sung, Lee Yong Dae, Ko Sung Hyun, Yoo Yeon Seong
Women
Singles: Bae Youn Joo, Sung Ji Hyun, Kim Moon Hi
Doubles: Ha Jung Eun, Kim Min Jung, Jung Kyung Eun, Jang Ye Na
Meanwhile, England have revealed a strong team for the upcoming World Badminton Championships on Thursday, May 12. The squad includes three single players and six doubles teams that have qualified
through the World Rankings to represent England in all five categories. English squad also consists of players who have won the wild card entries for the event.
The only World Champion included in the line-up is Nathan Robertson, who has also clinched the mixed doubles title in 2006 in Madrid when he was paired with Gail Emms. This year, Robertson will team
up with Jenny Wallwork in the mixed doubles category.
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