Yes, they don't exist anymore as a pair, not even in domestic competition. Yonao is currently partnered with young Yui Suizu at Yonex and Fukuman has transferred to San-In Godo Bank, I believe. Hoshi is 22 already, has been partnered with Naru Shinoya, Ayane Kurihara, Higashino and Kie Nakanishi and never made an impact with any of them. Virtually no potential to even go to top 20 regions, let alone higher. The only pair I'd not entirely disregard, is the winners of the recent Osaka challenge, Sayaka Hobara (world junior champ) and Natsuki Sone. But you know how it is for women's doubles in Japan. They won't get any support until several pairs retire post Olympics and then it might already be to late for them.
What we are seeing in Kamura and Sonoda is a style of play that is furiously fast and it is this that Hendra and Setiawan are finding difficult to cope with, despite what Morten Frost may be saying in his comments.
Tai Tzu Ying at her best is still numero uno, but not by far. I count five or six others who can challenge her (not in any order), viz., Nozomi Okuhara, Akane Yamaguchi, Intanon R, Chen Yufei, Carolina Marin and, perhaps, He Bingjiao (in the earlier rounds), and P V Sindhu, all of whom on their day pose a real threat, in my opinion.
Forgive my off-topic, but those not interested in MD or MS (or young enough to watch several matches simultaneously) could watch the final of the Vietnam Challenge between the biggest WS talent in the world and the biggest WS talent in Japan. About to start soon, very good stream here:
