Thursday, 21 Nov 2024

BWF World Championships: A Look Back at a Historic Event

The BWF World Championships is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious badminton tournaments in the world. In this article, we will take a trip down memory lane and revisit the 2015 edition of the championships. Join us as we explore the exciting matches, remarkable records, and the potential game-changers of that year.

Breaking Records and Chasing Glory

Two pairs stood out in the 2015 edition of the BWF World Championships – Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei from China, and Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir from Indonesia. If Zhang and Zhao were to win the tournament, they would become the first pair ever to secure three Mixed Doubles world crowns. On the other hand, a triumph for Ahmad and Natsir would make Natsir the most accomplished Mixed Doubles player in the history of the World Championships, with an impressive tally of four titles.

It is worth mentioning that only two players have won three world Mixed Doubles titles, but each with different partners. Korea’s Park Joo Bong won two titles with Chung Myung Hee and one with Yoo Sang Hee, while Liliyana Natsir clinched two titles with Nova Widianto and one with her current partner, Tontowi Ahmad.

The Journey to the Title

The path to victory was not an easy one for both pairs. Zhang and Zhao, who had previously won the championships in 2011 and 2014, faced tough competition. Their journey included a potential clash with Germany’s Michael Fuchs and Birgit Michels in the third round, followed by formidable rivals Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen from Denmark in the quarter-finals. The Danish pair had a slight edge over the Chinese, leading their head-to-head record 9-8 and having emerged victorious in their last three encounters. The anticipated quarter-final match promised to be a thrilling showdown.

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Ahmad and Natsir, the third seeds, also had their fair share of challenges. They encountered a potentially tricky third-round match against Lee Chun Hei and Chau Hoi Wah from Hong Kong. The Hong Kong pair had previously stunned the Indonesians in The Star Australian Open, but Ahmad and Natsir managed to exact their revenge at the BCA Indonesia Open. The winners of their match were likely to face either Korea’s Ko Sung Hyun and Kim Ha Na or Indonesia’s Edi Subaktiar and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, the second-seeded pair, Xu Chen and Ma Jin, aimed to overcome their previous shortcomings and clinch the title. They had broken a streak of 16 consecutive losses to their compatriots, Zhang and Zhao, by winning the Indonesia Open. With this victory, Xu and Ma entered the World Championships with renewed confidence and the possibility of becoming champions.

Dark Horses and Potential Upsets

While all eyes were on the prominent pairs, several other duos had the potential to steal the show. Ko Sung Hyun and Kim Ha Na from Korea had already tasted victory at the Yonex Open Chinese Taipei, making them strong contenders for the championship. England’s Chris Adcock and Gabrielle Adcock had consistently performed well in recent months, securing their spot in the last eight.

Among the other pairs were Liu Cheng and Bao Yixin from China, who shared a quarter with the Adcocks. Liu and Bao possessed the skills and determination to go all the way. Another Chinese duo, Lu Kai and Huang Yaqiong, found themselves in the same quarter as Xu Chen and Ma Jin. If they managed to overcome their senior compatriots, they had a real chance at claiming the title.

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Several underdogs could also cause upsets against the more established pairs. Teams like Jacco Arends and Selena Piek from the Netherlands, Riky Widianto and Puspita Richi Dili from Indonesia, Praveen Jordan and Debby Susanto from Indonesia, Mads Pieler Kolding and Kamilla Rytter Juhl from Denmark, and Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying from Malaysia were all capable of surprising their opponents.

Preview

FAQs

Q: Who were the defending champions in the Mixed Doubles category?
A: The defending champions were Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei from China.

Q: Which pair had the chance to make history by winning three Mixed Doubles world titles?
A: Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei had the opportunity to become the first-ever pair to win three Mixed Doubles world crowns.

Q: Who held the record for the most Mixed Doubles titles at the World Championships before the 2015 edition?
A: Liliyana Natsir from Indonesia held the record with three Mixed Doubles titles, achieved with different partners in different years.

Q: Who were the potential challengers for the defending champions?
A: Germany’s Michael Fuchs and Birgit Michels, as well as Denmark’s Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen, were potential challengers for Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei.

Q: Were there any dark horses in the competition?
A: Yes, several pairs such as Ko Sung Hyun and Kim Ha Na from Korea, Chris Adcock and Gabrielle Adcock from England, Liu Cheng and Bao Yixin from China, and Lu Kai and Huang Yaqiong from China had the potential to surprise the favorites.

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Conclusion

The 2015 Total BWF World Championships was an exhilarating event that showcased the incredible talent and determination of the world’s top badminton players. From the defending champions vying for historical records to the emerging dark horses, the tournament offered a thrilling spectacle for fans worldwide. The Mixed Doubles category was especially captivating, with intense matches and potential upsets at every turn. As we reflect on this memorable championship, we look forward to the excitement that future tournaments will bring.

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