Month-Long Countdown Begins for Sudirman Cup

The 16th edition of the World Mixed Team Championships is just a month away, and all signs are that it will be a closely-contested event between the 12 teams in Group 1.

Of the three major team events – the Thomas Cup and the Uber Cup being the others – the Sudirman Cup has seen the fewest winning nations. While the Thomas Cup and the Uber Cup have each been conquered by five nations, only three nations have achieved the feat at the Sudirman Cup.

Korea exceeded all expectations at the last edition.

Even more pertinent is the fact that, after the first edition in 1989 won by Indonesia, the Sudirman Cup has been in the possession of only two countries – China and Korea.

Thus, the 30th year of the Sudirman Cup will be a challenge to the other teams – can they defy the pattern set over three decades and make history in Nanning?

Chen Yufei’s All England win couldn’t have come at a better time for China.

On paper, Japan – in Group 1A with Thailand and Russia – look strong contenders to complete their full set of team victories, having won the Thomas Cup in 2014 and the Uber Cup in 2018.

The top seeds have strength in all five categories, and will look to improve on their strong showing in Gold Coast, when, even without Kento Momota, they ran China close in the semifinals.

Japan head coach Park Joo Bong acknowledged that while his team had a good chance to win the title, China – on home turf – would be their most formidable opponents.

Ten-time champions China’s preparations received a booster shot with the All England win of Chen Yufei in women’s singles and Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan in women’s doubles, the two categories that have slipped from China’s hands in recent years.

However, while Japan and China remain favourites in the run-up to the Sudirman Cup, a few other teams have built up all-round strength.

Thailand, for instance, will be inspired by the recent Singapore Open win of their mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai. With strong performers in women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles, Thailand can pose a problem or two for the favourites.

China are in Group 1D with India and Malaysia. India can bank on their two singles, while their doubles pairs can be dangerous opponents for the favoured names, and even China might be hard-pressed to beat them.

Malaysia have strong pairs in men’s doubles and mixed doubles; and if their emerging players in the other categories deliver, pre-tournament expectations in the group could turn topsy-turvy.

Indonesia will hope for Gregoria Mariska Tunjung to be in form.

Indonesia, in Group 1B with Denmark and England, will quietly be fancying their chances. In Jonatan Christie and Anthony Sinisuka Ginting they have consistent men’s singles players; their men’s doubles are in reliable hands. Much will depend on young Gregoria Mariska Tunjung in women’s singles. If she does hold up her end, as she did in the Uber Cup where she remained unbeaten, Indonesia can expect a memorable campaign.

Chinese Taipei, like India, can bank on their singles (Chou Tien Chen and Tai Tzu Ying). What will enthuse them is the form of Wang Chi-Lin in both his doubles. This year, their new men’s doubles combination Wang and Lee Yang made three finals in a row, of which they won two.

Chinese Taipei, though, are in the most competitive of all the four groups, Group 1C, which includes defending champions Korea and Hong Kong.

Chinese Taipei’s Wang Chi-Lin will shoulder responsibilities in men’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Korea haven’t had much to crow about lately, and Son Wan Ho’s recent injury would be a setback. The Koreans, having exceeded all expectations at the last edition with a young team; will surpass any achievement in their history if they can repeat what they did in Gold Coast.

Denmark will miss the services of Christinna Pedersen in both her doubles categories, and will expect Sara Thygesen and Maiken Fruergaard to step up. The Danes are solid in the two men’s categories, and if Mia Blichfeldt and Line Kjaersfeldt can deliver women’s singles, they are capable of going far.

Sudirman Cup News

Sudirman Cup: The Most Thrilling Battles

Sudirman Cup: The Most Thrilling Battles

5 June 2019
Stars Who Shone; Those Who Didn’t

Stars Who Shone; Those Who Didn’t

4 June 2019
Key Moments: Chen vs. Yamaguchi – Sudirman Cup ‘19

Key Moments: Chen vs. Yamaguchi – Sudirman Cup ‘19

30 May 2019
Slovakia Daring to Dream – Sudirman Cup ’19

Slovakia Daring to Dream – Sudirman Cup ’19

28 May 2019
Key Moments: Shi vs. Momota – Sudirman Cup ‘19

Key Moments: Shi vs. Momota – Sudirman Cup ‘19

28 May 2019
As It Happened CHN vs JPN – Sudirman Cup ‘19

As It Happened CHN vs JPN – Sudirman Cup ‘19

27 May 2019
Celebrations and Concessions – Sudirman Cup ’19

Celebrations and Concessions – Sudirman Cup ’19

26 May 2019
China’s Young Heroes Reclaim Title – Sudirman Cup ’19

China’s Young Heroes Reclaim Title – Sudirman Cup ’19

26 May 2019
Park: We’re Going All Out! – Sudirman Cup ’19

Park: We’re Going All Out! – Sudirman Cup ’19

25 May 2019
Big Guns Boom for China – Sudirman Cup ’19

Big Guns Boom for China – Sudirman Cup ’19

25 May 2019
Brilliant Canada Top Group 2 – Sudirman Cup ‘19

Brilliant Canada Top Group 2 – Sudirman Cup ‘19

25 May 2019
Indonesia Hobble Past Chinese Taipei – Sudirman Cup ’19

Indonesia Hobble Past Chinese Taipei – Sudirman Cup ’19

24 May 2019
Japan Stay on Track – Sudirman Cup ’19

Japan Stay on Track – Sudirman Cup ’19

24 May 2019
Jonassen: Young Generation ‘Hungry’ – Sudirman Cup ’19

Jonassen: Young Generation ‘Hungry’ – Sudirman Cup ’19

24 May 2019
Another Teen Star in the Making – Sudirman Cup ’19

Another Teen Star in the Making – Sudirman Cup ’19

24 May 2019
China Coast into Semis – Sudirman Cup ’19

China Coast into Semis – Sudirman Cup ’19

23 May 2019
Defending Champs Trip Over Thailand – Sudirman Cup ’19

Defending Champs Trip Over Thailand – Sudirman Cup ’19

23 May 2019
Netherlands Fight Back From Brink – Sudirman Cup ‘19

Netherlands Fight Back From Brink – Sudirman Cup ‘19

23 May 2019
Rankireddy Impressive in Comeback from Fracture

Rankireddy Impressive in Comeback from Fracture

23 May 2019
Final Eight Draw – Sudirman Cup ’19

Final Eight Draw – Sudirman Cup ’19

23 May 2019
Danes Deliver! – Sudirman Cup ’19

Danes Deliver! – Sudirman Cup ’19

22 May 2019
Korea Beat Chinese Taipei, Top Group – Sudirman Cup ’19

Korea Beat Chinese Taipei, Top Group – Sudirman Cup ’19

22 May 2019
No Stopping An Se Young! – Sudirman Cup ’19

No Stopping An Se Young! – Sudirman Cup ’19

22 May 2019
Israeli Youngster Embracing the Big Stage – Sudirman Cup ’19

Israeli Youngster Embracing the Big Stage – Sudirman Cup ’19

22 May 2019
Thailand Thwart Russia – Sudirman Cup ’19

Thailand Thwart Russia – Sudirman Cup ’19

21 May 2019
Pathway to Success for Kazakhstan – Sudirman Cup ’19

Pathway to Success for Kazakhstan – Sudirman Cup ’19

21 May 2019
Malaysia Edge Past India – Sudirman Cup ’19

Malaysia Edge Past India – Sudirman Cup ’19

21 May 2019
Continental Conquest! – Sudirman Cup ’19

Continental Conquest! – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
Korea into Quarters – Sudirman Cup ’19

Korea into Quarters – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
China Club Stint Powers Malkov – Sudirman Cup ’19

China Club Stint Powers Malkov – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
Wake-Up Call for Japan – Sudirman Cup ’19

Wake-Up Call for Japan – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
‘Greatest moment ever’ says Greenland – Sudirman Cup ’19

‘Greatest moment ever’ says Greenland – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
China Brush Off Scare – Sudirman Cup ’19

China Brush Off Scare – Sudirman Cup ’19

19 May 2019
Iris Wang Unable to Resist Badminton’s Lure – Sudirman Cup ’19

Iris Wang Unable to Resist Badminton’s Lure – Sudirman Cup ’19

19 May 2019
Thrilling Win for Canada – Sudirman Cup ’19

Thrilling Win for Canada – Sudirman Cup ’19

19 May 2019
Learning Curve for Nepal – Sudirman Cup ’19

Learning Curve for Nepal – Sudirman Cup ’19

19 May 2019
Mixed Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Mixed Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

19 May 2019
Speaking Their Minds – Sudirman Cup ’19

Speaking Their Minds – Sudirman Cup ’19

18 May 2019
Women’s Singles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Women’s Singles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

18 May 2019
Denmark in Transition Phase – Sudirman Cup ’19

Denmark in Transition Phase – Sudirman Cup ’19

18 May 2019
Indonesia Hold the Aces in Group 1B

Indonesia Hold the Aces in Group 1B

17 May 2019
Final Preparations on Sudirman Cup Eve

Final Preparations on Sudirman Cup Eve

16 May 2019
India-Malaysia Duel Likely to Decide Group 1D

India-Malaysia Duel Likely to Decide Group 1D

15 May 2019
A Twist in the Tale – Sudirman Cup in the 2010s

A Twist in the Tale – Sudirman Cup in the 2010s

15 May 2019
Men’s Singles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Men’s Singles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

14 May 2019
Spotlight On Canada-Germany Clash

Spotlight On Canada-Germany Clash

11 May 2019
Women’s Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Women’s Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

10 May 2019
Tight Contest Expected between Netherlands, France

Tight Contest Expected between Netherlands, France

9 May 2019
Sung’s Pullout a Setback for Korea in Group 1C

Sung’s Pullout a Setback for Korea in Group 1C

8 May 2019
The Clash of Powerhouses – Sudirman Cup in the 90s

The Clash of Powerhouses – Sudirman Cup in the 90s

7 May 2019
Glory on Home Soil – Sudirman Cup ’89

Glory on Home Soil – Sudirman Cup ’89

3 May 2019
Men’s Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Men’s Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

2 May 2019
Spotlight on Japan, China – Sudirman Cup ’19

Spotlight on Japan, China – Sudirman Cup ’19

30 April 2019
Chinese Taipei Can Go Far – Sudirman Cup ’19

Chinese Taipei Can Go Far – Sudirman Cup ’19

27 April 2019
Everybody Wants to Beat Japan, Says Okuhara

Everybody Wants to Beat Japan, Says Okuhara

26 April 2019
Title Triumph Not Far Away, Says Nehwal

Title Triumph Not Far Away, Says Nehwal

25 April 2019
Loh Looks Forward to Team Challenge

Loh Looks Forward to Team Challenge

24 April 2019
‘Team Spirit and Self-Belief are Important’: Wong Choong Hann

‘Team Spirit and Self-Belief are Important’: Wong Choong Hann

23 April 2019
China’s Trump Cards – Zheng & Huang

China’s Trump Cards – Zheng & Huang

22 April 2019
Intanon Optimistic About Thailand’s Chances

Intanon Optimistic About Thailand’s Chances

21 April 2019
Kidambi Keen to Lead India to Team Glory

Kidambi Keen to Lead India to Team Glory

20 April 2019
‘Looking to Convert Pressure into Motivation’: Zhang Jun

‘Looking to Convert Pressure into Motivation’: Zhang Jun

19 April 2019
Setback for Korea’s Sudirman Cup Preparations

Setback for Korea’s Sudirman Cup Preparations

25 March 2019

Early Test for Hosts China: Sudirman Cup Draw

19 March 2019
Japan Get Top Billing – Sudirman Cup

Japan Get Top Billing – Sudirman Cup

11 March 2019
Hosts Ready as Sudirman Cup Countdown Begins

Hosts Ready as Sudirman Cup Countdown Begins

20 February 2019
Sudirman Cup Attracts 32 Entries

Sudirman Cup Attracts 32 Entries

18 February 2019
GoDaddy Extends Major Events Partnership with BWF

GoDaddy Extends Major Events Partnership with BWF

11 February 2019
Sudirman Cup the Final Frontier for Park

Sudirman Cup the Final Frontier for Park

25 January 2019
PARTNERS