As if round balls weren’t hard enough to hit with my hand-eye co-ordination, someone had to invent an even more demonic sport. If the answer isn’t Lin Dan or Viktor Axelsen, I am doomed!
Questions
Following two victories for Lin Dan, which male badminton player made it three Chinese Olympic golds in a row in 2016 when he defeated Malaysian Lee Chong-wei in the final? This streak was ended by Viktor Axelsen, who beat this player in the Tokyo Olympics final.
CHEN (LONG)
Having the nickname ‘Mr. Backhand’, which unseeded player became the second Indonesian to win gold in men’s badminton at the 2004 Olympics when he beat South Korea’s Shon Seung-mo in the final? He then became the first men’s player to hold Olympic and World titles in consecutive years when he beat Lin Dan in the final of the 2005 World Championship.
TAUFIK HIDAYAT
15 being required when Taufik Hidayat won the 2004 Olympic title, how many points are normally needed to win a badminton game, though as typical in such sports a two-point margin is sometimes necessary?
21
Sounding suspiciously like a spoonerism, who was the first Chinese player to win men’s Olympic badminton gold in 2000? He defeated top seed Taufik Hidayat in the quarter finals and won his semi against Danish player Peter Gade despite losing the second game 15-1.
JI XINPENG
Getting the better of Ding Jiong, who was the first Dane to win men’s Olympic badminton gold in 1996? A three-time European champion, he was beaten in his first match when trying to defend the title in Sydney.
POUL-ERIK HØYER (LARSEN)
Beating compatriot Ardy Wiranata in the final, who won the first ever men’s badminton gold for Indonesia in 1992? Rudy Hartono had won the event in 1972, but it was only a demonstration sport.
ALAN BUDIKUSUMA
Still to win the World Championship after a 2022 silver to Akane Yamaguchi, who became the fourth Chinese player to win women’s badminton gold at the Olympics in 2020? She restored China’s pride after their run of victories was broken in 2016 by Spaniard Carolina Marín.
CHEN (YUFEI)
Retiring soon after her home Olympics, which Chinese player is the only woman to win two badminton golds, doing so in 2004 and 2008?
ZHANG (NING)
Defeating Danish player Camilla Martin when games were only the first to 11 points, who was the first Chinese woman to win badminton gold in 2000, starting a streak of four golds that was continued by Zhang Ning and Li Xuerei?
GONG (ZHICHAO)
Beating Indonesian player Mia Audina in the final, which female won South Korea’s only Olympic badminton gold so far in 1996? She retired following the event at the young age of 23.
BANG SOO-HYUN
The first ever Olympic gold medallist for Indonesia, who won the female badminton gold in 1992, the year in which the sport was introduced to the Games? In the final she came from a game down to beat future gold medallist Bang Soo-hyun.
SUSI SUSANTI
Failing in the group stage at his home Olympics when he was the number one seed, in which men’s team championship did Kento Momota win gold in 2014? This event is named for someone who was both a successful badminton and chess player.
THOMAS CUP
Previously known as the IBF, what is the three-letter acronym that badminton’s governing body was changed to in 2006, with its headquarters being in Kuala Lumpur?
BWF (BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION)
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