Zhang Ning Profile

Zhang Ning is a badminton woman athlete from China. She was born on 19 May 1975 on Shenyang, Liaoning, China. Now she is 33 years old. She was in the first rank for woman single, but now she is in rank 4. Zhang Ning is a senior badminton athlete. She has played for years. Zhang Ning started her career from entering the Jingzhou Municipal Sports School of Liaoning in 1985. Then she continued her badminton studying in the Liaoning Provincial Sports School four years later. After that in 1989 Zhang Ning joined the profincial badminton team and followed by the national children's team in 1990. Finally she reached the national team in 1991.

Zhang Ning success started in the World Championship 2003. She reached the final and defeated Gong Ruina easily 11-16, 11-3. It happened when she was 28 years old. her success continued and reached the top when she won the gold medal in the Olympic games 2004 in Athens. She defeated Mia Audina from Indonesia in the final 8-11, 11-6, and 11-7.

Zhang also claimed many titles after breakthrough wins. She won Xie Xingfang in the China Open Badminton Championship 2005. They met again in the World Championship 2005 and 2006. But this time she lost. However, Zhang Ning revenge in the Japan Open defeating Xingfang 21-11, 16-21, and 30-29. She also became the first women’s single player to win a game in international competition with score 30-29.

In 2007 Zhang Ning won her fifth Singapore Open beating Xingfang. But in the Beijing Luck Invitation tournament, she reached the semi final to face Zhu Lin but pulled out due to injury. The same thing faced to her in the Danish Open. She lost to Lu Lan in the final due to a thigh injury. Zhang Ning cited injury and fatigue is the main reason for her loss Zhang Ning started 2008 season with loss in Malaysian Open. She was coaching her younger teammates in the tournament as well. And now she plays for Hong Kong. In the three previous tournaments, Zhang Ning failed to get past the quarter final.

Lee Hyun Il Profile

Lee Hyun Il is a men badminton athlete from Korea. He was born in 17 April 1980 in Korea. Lee is a left handed badminton player. Lee Hyun Il is a good badminton player. It is prooved by his rank in 8, below his Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Taufik Hidayat.

His best performance was in Thomas cup 2008 in indonesia. He successfully make point for Korea by make winning from the match with Taufik Hidayat. Lee Hyun Il won in straight set, 21-13 and 21-14 in 45 minutes. This result made Korea won the semifinal from indonesia 3-0 and going to the final with China. But in the final Lee didn't make it. He lost from Bao Chunlai 28-26 and 21-11. First game was tough. They got the point one another so difficult until they reach the same score 20-20. the one who got 2 points straight would be the winner. But neither of them got the point easily. But Bao Chunlai ended the game with 28-26 with his winning. The second game was quite hard for Lee. He lost with scores 21-11.

Rules of Badminton

Toss

The rules of badminton states that a toss shall be conducted before a game starts. If you win, you can choose between serving first or to start play at either end of the court. Your opponent can then exercise the remaining choice.

Scoring system

The rules of badminton states that a badminton match shall consist of the best of 3 games. In doubles and men's singles, the first side to score 15 points wins the game. In women's singles, the first side to score 11 points wins the game.If the score becomes 14-all (10-all in women's singles), the side which first scored 14 (10) shall exercise the choice to continue the game to 15 (11) points or to 'set' the game to 17 (13) points.

The side winning a game serves first in the next game. Only the serving side can add a point to its score. Recently IBF have been testing a new scoring format of 21 points per game on all major Badminton competition and decided to replace the old format permanently.

Change of ends

The rules of badminton states that you have to change ends with your opponent after finishing the first game. If a third game was to be played, you shall change ends when the leading score reaches 6 in a game of 11 points or 8 in a game of 15 points.

Rules of Badminton - Singles

Serving and receiving courts

You shall serve from, and receive in, the right service court when you or your opponent has scored an even number of points in that game. You shall serve from, and receive in, the left service court when you or your opponent has scored an odd number of points in that game. You and your opponent will hit the shuttle alternately until a 'fault' is made or the shuttle ceases to be in play.

Scoring and serving

You score a point and serve again from the alternate service court when your opponent makes a 'fault' or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of your opponent's side of court. No points will be scored when you make a 'fault' or the shuttles ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of your side of court. The serving right will then be transferred to your opponent.

Rules of Badminton- Doubles

At the start of the game, and each time a side gains the right to serve, the service shall be delivered from the right service court. Only your opponent standing diagonally opposite of you shall return the service. Should your opponent's partner touched or hit the shuttle, it shall be a 'fault' and your side scores a point.

Order of play and position on court

After the service is returned, either you or your partner may hit the shuttle from any position on your side of the net. Then either player from the opposing side may do the same, and so on, until the shuttle ceases to be in play.

Scoring and serving

If you are serving or receiving first at the start of any game, you shall serve or receive in the right service court when your side or your opponent's side scored an even number of points. You shall serve from or receive in the left service court when your side or your opponent's side has scored an odd number of points. The reverse pattern shall apply to your partner.

In any game, the right to serve passes consecutively from the initial server to the initial receiver, then to that initial's receiver's partner, then to the opponent who is due to serve from the right service court, then to that player's partner, and so on. You shall not serve out of turn, receive out of turn, or receive two consecutive services in the same game, except as provided in service court errors and 'lets'.

Serving court errors

A service court error has been made when a player has served out of turn, has served from the wrong service or standing on the wrong service court while being prepared to receive the service and it has been delivered. If a service court error is discovered after the next service had been delivered, the error shall not be corrected. If a service court error is discovered before the next service is delivered, the following rules apply.

If both sides committed an error, it shall be a 'let'. If one side committed the error and won the rally, it shall be a 'let'. If one side committed the error and lost the rally, the error shall not be corrected. If there is a 'let' because of a service court error, the rally is replayed with the error corrected. If a service court error is not to be corrected, play in that game shall proceed without changing the player's new service courts.

Faults

The rules of badminton consider the following as faults:
- If the shuttle lands outside the boundaries of the court, passes through or under the net, fail to pass the net, touches the ceiling or side walls, touches the person or dress of a player or touches any other object or person.
- If the initial point of contact with the shuttle is not on the striker's side of the net. (The striker may, however, follow the shuttle over the net with the racket in the course of a stroke.)
- If a player touches the net or its supports with racket, person or dress, invades an opponent's court over the net with racket or person except as permitted.
- If a player invades an opponent's court under the net with racket or person such that an opponent is obstructed or distracted or obstructs an opponent, that is prevents an opponent from making a legal stroke where the shuttle is followed over the net.
- If a player deliberately distracts an opponent by any action such as shouting or making gestures.
- If the shuttle is caught and held on the racket and then slung during the execution of a stroke.
- If the shuttle is hit twice in succession by the same player with two strokes.
- If the shuttle is hit by a player and the player's partner successively or touches a player's racket and continues towards the back of that player's court.
- If a player is guilty of flagrant, repeated or persistent offences under Law of Continuous Play, Misconduct, Penalties.
- If, on service, the shuttle is caught on the net and remains suspended on top, or, on service, after passing over the net is caught in the net.

Lets

'Let' is called by the umpire, or by a player (if there is no umpire), to halt play. A 'let' may be given for any unforeseen or accidental occurrence.The rules of badminton consider the following as 'lets':

- If a shuttle is caught in the net and remains suspended on top or, after passing over the net, is caught in the net, it shall be a 'let' except on service.
- If, during service, the receiver and server are both faulted at the same time, it shall be a 'let'.
- If the server serves before the receiver is ready, it shall be a 'let'.
- If, during play, the shuttle disintegrates and the base completely separates from the rest of the shuttle, is shall be a 'let'.
- If a line judge is unsighted and the umpire is unable to make a decision, it shall be a 'let'.
- A 'let' may occur following a service court error. When a 'let' occurs, the play since the last service shall not count and the player who served shall serve again, except where in situations where the Law of Service Court Errors is applicable.

Shuttle not in play

A shuttle is not in play when it strikes the net and remains attached there or suspended on top. A shuttle is not in play when it strikes the net or post and starts to fall towards the surface of the court on the striker's side of the net. A shuttle is not in play when it hits the surface of the court or a 'fault' or 'let' has occurred.

Continuous play, misconduct, penalties

Play shall be continuous from the first service until the match is concluded, except as allowed in intervals not exceeding 90 seconds between the first and second games, and not exceeding 5 minutes between the second and third games.

Officials and appeals

The referee is in overall charge of the tournament. The umpire, where appointed, is in charge of the match, the court and its immediate surrounds. The umpire shall report to the referee. The service judge shall call service service faults made by the server should they occur. A line judge shall indicate whether a shuttle landed 'in' or 'out' on the line or lines assigned. An official's decision is final on all points of fact for which that official is responsible.

An umpire shall:

- Upload and enforce the Rules of Badminton and, especially, call a 'fault' or 'let' should either occur.
- Give a decision on any appeal regarding a point of dispute, if made before the next service is delivered.
- Ensure players and spectators are kept informed of the progress of the match.
- Appoint or remove line judges or a service judge in consultation with the referee.
- Where another court official is not appointed, arrange for that official's duties to be carried out.
- Where an appointed official is unsighted, carry out the official's duties or play a 'let'.
- Record and report to the referee all matters in relation to continuous play, misconduct and penalties.
- Take to the referee all unsatisfied appeals on questions of law only. (Such appeals must be made before the next service is delivered, or, if at the end of the game, before the side that appeals has left the court.)

Xie Xingfang Profile

Xie Xingfang is a woman badminton athlete from China. She was born on 8 January 1981 in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. Xie Xingfang is a really good badminton player. She is one of the best woman badminton players at present. She got rank 1 in BWF.

Xie Xingfang got her first title in the world junior championship. She played in double with her team mate Zhang jiewen. After Xie Xingfang entered the China national team, she turned to be a single player. It is a correct decision remembering the result she got now.

Xie Xingfang is in a relationship with number one Chinese man badminton player, Lin Dan. They made a romantic moment when both of them won the World Championship 2006 in Madrid.

Man Single Badminton Rank 2009

Rank	Name	Nationality	Points
1	Lee Chong Wei	Malaysia	84179
2	Lin Dan	China	82560
3	Bao Chunlai	China	69122
4	Chen Jin	China	67184
5	Sony Dwi Kuncoro	Indonesia	65387
6	Kenneth Jonasen	Denmark	56315
7	Simon Santoso	Indonesia	50585
8	Lee Hyun Il	South Korea	50057
9	Taufik Hidayat	Indonesia	50023
10	Peter Gade	Denmark	49891
11	Joachim Persson	Denmark	49037
12	Przemyslaw Wacha	Poland	44589
13	Park Sung Hwan	South Korea	43737
14	Boonsak Ponsana	Thailand	40663
15	Chen Yu	China	39246
16	Kenichi Tago	Japan	38456
17	Shoji Sato	Japan	38278
18	Andrew Smith	England	38214
19	Sairul Amar Ayob	Malaysia	36850
20	Wong Choong Hann	Malaysia	36318

Lee Chong Wei Profile

Lee Chong Wei is men single professional badminton player from Malaysia. She was born in Parik Buntar, Perak, Malaysia on 21 October 1982. Now he moved to Bukit Mertajam. Lee Chong Wei start entering school in Jit Sin Primary school and continue to the secondary education in Kebangsaan Berapit Senior High School. Le Chong Wei was admitted to Bukit Jalil Sport School to complete his form 4 and 5 studies. He isthe second best player after Lin Dan. Now lee Chong Wei is in rank 2 of the world badminton rank.

Lee Chong Wei reached the final in 2008 Beijing Olympic. He defeated Sony Dwi Kuncoro with 21-9, 21-11. But he lost from Lin Dan in the final with 21-12, 21-8.

Lee Chong Wei's girlfriend is also a Malaysian badminton player. Her name is Wong Mew Choo. She won China Open 2007 unpredictedly for Malaysia. And she is the only non-chinese who won the tournament. To get the title, She defeated Pi Hongyan, Zhu Lin, Zhang Ning, and the world No. 1 rank Xie Xingfang.

Simon Santoso Profile

Simon Santoso is a man single badminton player from Indonesia. He was born on 29 July 1985 in Tegal, Central Java, Indonesia. He is 175 cm tall. Simon is the 12 in the world rank.

When he was young, he joined the Tangkas Jakarta badminton club before joining the indonesian National team. Simon's best result until 2008 is runner up in the Singapore Super Series, Swiss Super Series, Indonesia Super Series and also semi finalist of Japan Open Super Series and Chinese Taipei Open.

Simon Santoso is a young badminton player. He is only 22 years old now. Simon has a cute face and liked by many Indonesia badminton fans. Simon has a good physical condition and speed, but he has lack in ball placement. Simon placed only on the third single in the national team and Thomas team. But his performance is getting better. His best performance was the runner up in Indonesia Open 2008, beaten by Sony Dwi Kuncoro.

Woman Single Badminton Rank 2009

Rank	Name	Nationality	Points
1	Lu Lan	China	71579
2	Xie Xingfang	China	68100
3	Zhou Mi	Hong Kong	66720
4	Tine Rasmussen	Denmark	65043
5	Zhu Lin	China	61458
6	Zhang Ning	China	59940
7	Pi Hongyan	France	58836
8	Xu Huaiwen	Germany	57955
9	Wong Mew Choo	Malaysia	56998
10	Wang Chen	Hong Kong	53367
11	Nehwal Saina	India	47181
12	Jun Jae Youn	South Korea	43164
13	Yip Pui Yin	Hong Kong	41597
14	Juliane Schenk	Germany	41296
15	Maria Kristin	Indonesia	40263
16	Eriko Hirose	Japan	40216
17	Petya Nedelcheva	Bulgaria	39970
18	Yu Hirayama	Japan	39792
19	Wang Yihan	China	39790
20	Hwang Hye Youn	South Korea	36992

Maria Kristin Yulianti Profile

Maria Kristin is a female woman single badminton athlete from Indonesia. She was born on 2 June 1985 in Tuban. Now he is the best woman single badminton player in Indonesia. Maria Kristin got rank 30 at present.

Maria Best Performance is in Uber Cup 2008 and Indonesian Open 2008. These tournaments were held in Jakarta, Indonesia. In Uber cup, Maria successfully brang her team to the semi-final. Although she had to realized the strength of China uber cup. Maria made Indonesia in the runner up.

In Indonesia Open 2008 her showed a amazing performance. in the quarter final Maria beaten Zhou Ming from Hongkong. A big surprize happened in the semifinal. maria Kristin beaten the second best player from China, Zhang Ning. However, She could not get the same winning when faced Zhu Lin from China. She lost 18-21, 21-17, and 14-21 and get the runner up. But her performance in the match was really great. The game was lasted 1 hour and 18 minutes. Even Zhu Lin was given a yellow card by the referee because of wasting time to rest while playing.

In the Beijing Olympic 2008 Maria Kristin got bronze medal after defeating Chinese badminton player, Lu Lan. Maria won 21-11, 13-21, 15-21in rubber set.

Peter Gade Profile

Peter Gade is an men single badminton player of Denmark. He was born on 14 December 1976 in Aalborg, Denmark. At present Gade live near Charlottenlund in Copenhagen mwith his wife. Gade has a single daughter, Nanna.

Peter Gade has made his mark in badminton history through his All England Open Badminton Championships singles title in 1999 and his four European Championships crowns in the men's single event. The Dane topped the world rankings from 1998 to 2001. With his sixteen Grand-Prix titles, Peter Gade has become one of the most successful players of all time. Gade remains very active on the international circuit. On June 22, 2006, he briefly recaptured the #1 spot in the world rankings. This was achieved after winning the Singapore Open and reaching the quarter-final at the Malaysia Open.

Peter Gade is known as a fast attacker badminton athletes. Gade gives fast smashes and performs smooth footwork. For this age, 32 years old, he is a very good badminton athlete. Not many athletes can stand for playing in this age.

Peter Gade entered sport's history thanks to his All-England title in 1999 and his three European crowns in the men's single event. The Dane topped the world-ranking during the years 1998 through 2001. And with his sixteen Grand-Prix titles, Peter Gade remains one of the most successful players of all time, who is still very active in the International circuit.

Bao Chunlai Profile

Bao Chunlai is a male left handed badminton athlete. He played for China, his home country. Bao Chunlai was born on 17th February 1983 in Changsa, Hunan, China.

Bao Chunlai is known as a handsome badminton player. Many fans from different countries like him because of his face. But his performance in the field is not dissappointing. He played pretty well. it is proofed by defeating Taufik Hidayat in Indonesian open 2008 and some other badminton famous athletes.

Bao Chunlai played a very beautiful game during the Thomas Cup 2008 in Istora Senayan, Jakarta. He played as a second single for China against Korean badminton athlete, Lee Hyun Il. First game was tough. They got the point one another so difficult until they reach the same score 20-20. the one who got 2 points straight would be the winner. But neither of them got the point easily. But bao Chunlai ended the game with 28-26 with his winning. The second game was quite easy for Bao. he won with scores 21-11.

Shuttlecock

A shuttlecock has weight between 4.75 gr until 5.50 gr. It has 14 to 16 feather which every feather has 70 mm length. The diametre of a shuttlecock is about 54 mm.

Feather and Plastic Shuttlecock

Shuttlecock is not made from feathers only. There is also synthesis shuttlecock which is made from plastic. the advantages of using this kind of shuttlecock is its durability can be prolongen. If a feather shuttlecock can only played to gain some points, but plastic shuttlecock can be used until one set or game.

However, the material of the shuttlecock effects its performance in the court. A plastic shuttlecock flies slower than a feather shuttlecock. A feather shuttlecock can reach top speed 320 km/hours. But it getting slower quickly during the game. On the other hand, a plastic shuttlecock is difficult to reach the same speed, but its speed is more constant during the game.

That is why a match which use feather shuttlecock finish sooner. The players also perform more many smashes. Plastic shuttlecock is not used in international matches. Badminton athletes also prefer using feather shuttlecock.

Sony Dwi Kuncoro Profile

Sony Dwi Kuncoro is a men single badminton athlete from Indonesia. he was born on 7 July 1984 in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. When he was young, he joined the Suryanaga Surabaya badminton club. His parents are Moch. Sumadji (father) and Asmiati (mother). His hobbies are fixing automobiles and hanging-out or travelling. generally people call him Sony, which can also spelled as Soni.

Sony played as the first single player in Thomas Cup 2008 in Indonesia, followed by Taufik Hidayat in the second and Simon Santoso in the third. Sony have joined Thomas Team for three years in 2004, 2006, and 2008. And this year is the first time for him as the first single. Now Sony is in rank 6.

Sony Dwi Kuncoro has achieved some medals. they are:
Asian Championship: 2002(1), 2003(1), 2004(2), 2005(1)
World Championship: 2007(2)
Sea Games: 2003(1), 2005(1)
Indonesia Open: 2008(1)

Lin Dan Profile

Lin Dan is a men single left handed badminton player from Fujian, China. Lin Dan or 'Super Dan,' was born on 14 October 1983. He is the most dominant badminton single player in the world now. He has got first rank for two years after 2004. But Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia took his position in 2006 for a short period of time. And then Lin Dan took the first rank again until now.

Lin Dan won the 2007 World badminton Championships in men's single, beating Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia in the final to become the 2nd player after Yang Yang to win the men's single championship back to back, after taking the gold medal in the 2006 World Badminton Championships. Among the tournaments Lin Dan has won are the All England Open (2004, 2006, and 2007), China Masters, and also assisting China in winning three Thomas Cup in year 2004, 2006, and 2008 in a row. In all 5 matches played by Lin Dan in the Thomas Cup 2008, he only defeated to Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia in the semi final. And Lin Dan grab the first point for China in the final by defeating Park Sung Hwan from Korea.

In the 2008 Beijing Olympic Lin Dan got the gold medal. He defeated Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia in final with straight set 21-12, 21-8.

Taufik Hidayat Profile

Taufik Hidayat is a man single badminton athlete who played for Indonesia. He was born on 10th August 1981 in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. He is a former world champion and the current olympic champion in the men's single. he also won Indonesian open six times in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006. And now he is in rank 7.

Taufik Hidayat played badminton at the 2004 Summer Olympic in men's single, defeating Hidetaka yamada of Japan and Wong Choong Hann of malaysia in the first two rounds. In the quarter finals, Taufik defeated Peter Gade of Denmark 15-21, 15-12. Taufik Hidayat advanced to the semifinals, in which he beat Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand 15-9, 15-12. Playing in the gold medal match, he defeated Korean Shoon Seung Mo 15-8, 15-7 in the men's single final of the IBF World Championship.

Taufik Hidayat is really famous in his home country. Taufik is known just as much as David Beckham in England. And he is on covers of the local magazines just as much for his titles as for his life outside court. He is more than a public figure. He married Armi Dianti Gumelar, the youngest daughter of the Indonesian National Sport Commitee Chairman Agum Gumelar.