Along with their great wins, a number of other Yonex players also pulled off strong victories.
Winning in Wuhan
Backed up by his signature Lee Chong Wei Exclusive line of gear, Lee Chong Wei faced a double whammy of local aces in the form of Lin Dan (VOLTRIC Z-FORCE II LD, SHBSC6LDEX) and Chen Long in the semifinal and final respectively. Both matches were extended full-game affairs which lasted over an hour. Chong Wei grabbed the first game over Lin Dan by a slim margin, with Lin Dan leveling the match in the second. Chong Wei would then proceed to dominate in the third game, winning with a final score of 22-20 15-21 21-4. It was a similar story against Chen Long in the final, with the score coming to 21-17 15-21 21-13.
Ayaka Takahashi (DUORA 7) and Misaki Matsutomo won in women’s doubles, bringing them to three victories this early in the season. They were a brick wall against fellow Japanese pair Naoko Fukuman (VOLTRIC 80 E-tune) and Kurumi Yonao (ARCSABER 11) who were too tired out after a record-breaking 2 hour and 41 minute semifinal match against Indonesia’s Greysia Polii (DUORA 10, POWER CUSHION 75)/Nitya Krishinda Maheswari (DUORA 10, Yonex Shoes). Ayaka and Misaki won the title with a final score of 21-13 21-15.
Shuttles Fly in France
The European Championships saw wins for Team Yonex in all disciplines. The men’s singles match was a sight to behold with Viktor Axelsen earning his first ever title at the tournament with a win over fellow countryman Jan O. Jorgensen (VOLTRIC 80 E-tune, Yonex Shoes), 21-11 21-16.
Carolina Marin won her second consecutive title at the tournament over Scottish Kirsty Gilmour (NANORAY Z-SPEED) with a score of 21-12 21-18. Meanwhile Danish powerhouses of Kamilla Rytter Juhl (DUORA 10, Yonex Shoes) and Christinna Pedersen (DUORA 7, POWER CUSHION 02 LADIES) won their third consecutive title at the championships, defeating Eefje Muskens (VOLTRIC 70 E-tune, Yonex Shoes) and Selena Piek in straight games, 21-18 21-17. Christinna also impressed in mixed doubles, picking up the title with partner Joachim Fischer Nielsen against fellow Danes Niclas Nohr and Sara Thygesen in a tense full-game affair, 19-21 21-13 21-17. In men’s doubles, the towering 205 cm badminton juggernaut of Mads Pieler Kolding (ARCSABER 11, Yonex Shoes) and Mads Conrad-Petersen won against Kim Astrup (DUORA 10) and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (DUORA 10), 14-21 21-18 21-13.
Tournament Results
Asia Championships
Men’s Singles (Final)
[3] Lee Chong Wei (DUORA 10 LCW, POWER CUSHION AERUS LCW) (MAS) def. [1] Chen Long (CHN) 21-17 15-21 21-13
Women’s Doubles (Final)
[3] Ayaka Takahashi (DUORA 7)/Misaki Matsutomo (JPN) def. Naoko Fukuman (VOLTRIC 80 E-tune) and Kurumi Yonao (ARCSABER 11)(JPN) 21-13 21-15
European Championships
Men’s Singles (Final)
[2] Viktor Axelsen (ARCSABER 11, Yonex Shoes)(DEN) def. [1] Jan O. Jorgensen (VOLTRIC 80 E-tune, Yonex Shoes)(DEN) 21-11 21-16
Women’s Singles (Final)
[1] Carolina Marin (NANORAY Z-SPEED, POWER CUSHION 02 LADIES)(ESP) def. [2] Kirsty Gilmour (NANORAY Z-SPEED) (SCO) 21-12 21-18
Men’s Doubles (Final)
[2] Mads Pieler Kolding (ARCSABER 11, Yonex Shoes)/Mads Conrad-Petersen (DEN) def. [4] Kim Astrup (DUORA 10)/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (DUORA 10)(DEN) 14-21 21-18 21-13
Women’s Doubles (Final)
[1] Kamilla Rytter Juhl (DUORA 10, Yonex Shoes)/Christinna Pedersen (DUORA 7, POWER CUSHION 02 LADIES)(DEN) def. [2] Eefje Muskens (VOLTRIC 70 E-tune, Yonex Shoes) /Selena Piek (NED) 21-18 21-17
Mixed Doubles (Final)
[2] Christinna Pedersen (DUORA 7, POWER CUSHION 02 LADIES)/Joachim Fischer Nielsen (DEN) def. [8] Niclas Nohr/Sara Thygesen (DEN) 19-21 21-13 21-17