Chinese coaches considers the male badminton player ideal height to be in the region of 180/185 cm. The height is a compromise for attack and defense strokes; but not the determinant factor. Fitness, strength, speed, agility, technique and tactical abilities and determination are also factored in. This was what then I was told by the coaches.
Only few active MS players that have height over 180cm : Viktor Axelsen, Lee Zii Jia, Anders Antonsen. Thailand future star Vitidsarn also isn't tall player.
Hmm, I had another check of those listed in your screenshot and these are their heights: Excluding VA and AG (because they are both outliers on different ends of the spectrum) and Chen Long (he is inactive atm): The sum of all heights in the image is 1616cm The mean average height is thus: 1616/9 = 179.55cm
Height has its disadvantages and advantages and ultimately comes down to neutral. Most top players are well short of that height requirement . Just ridiculous and stupid .
Lee Chong Wei 174 Lin Dan 174 I think a larger sample size of all mens singles players in the top twenty in the past ten years will give us better answers. Mind you, if China have been active in this policy for a number of years, that would skew the results. We could do an extra calculation without China players and look at that as well.
Note that this requirement is just to pick one batch of players for the training camp, and by no means would be the future standard for the national team. Nevertheless, it's not difficult to see that CBA has been cherry-picking players based on their height, the likes of WHY, LSF and ZJP are all well over 180cm, and it's really nothing new as they have had tall players in the past, eg. Bao Chunlai, Chen Long, Chen Jin, Wang Zhengming, Huang Yuxiang, Lin Guipu are all above 180cm. I am sure they still prioritize talented players, but when you have that many players who are similarly skilled, it makes sense to pick the taller ones.
You are right, of course. Seems like it's just a specialised training camp to have a closer look at the talent and potential available amongst the taller kids.
Lin Dan (178cm) also Yang Yang (176 cm) as well are the exceptional case and best example against their "tall" criteria. These two I believe are the most iconic and successful MS player that CHN ever produced.
Just returning to the CBA's achievement in this sport. Have you seen the performance of China's Women's football performance. I thought they were a waste of time to watch. But they won the AFC beating Japan and Korea. And they have been beating Brazil and many other top ranked teams. Also they organise U15, U17 and U19 tournaments and the skills they have is quite amazing. How did they do that? Suddenly China's women's football players are talented. Compare their record with badminton, it's a terrible shame. I have been enjoying their matches on YouTube. It's heartwarming stuff. Come on CBA get your butt's of the chair and start structural changes. Why can't they organise international junior tournaments in China to start with.?
I would include Zhao Jianhua who was 183cm. At his best, we should be able to see the advantages of being a taller and agile player.
This height preference makes sense for Singles, especially men's singles but seems less impactful in Doubles. That didn't stop China from fielding the Twin Towers (now retired) in MD, which did not often overcome the opposite strategy of the Minions, focussing on the weaponised niche of Sanjaya and supporting that with the stability of Gideon. Zheng Siwei is an average height player (175cm) who if I recall correctly was said by Morten to be less stable with underhand returns than his equivalent Wang Yilyu (and thus more aggressive but less balanced); Watanabe is the elephant in the room atm when it comes to ability and height.
Of course, how can we forget to mention the great legend Zhao Jianhua, whom, to me, is second only to the GOAT Lin Dan. Furthermore, if not for ZJH contracting pneumonia early on in his career at age 19/20, who knows how far he, the most naturally gifted player in my opinion, would've gone in the history of badminton.
Was watching older matches because i was bored, and i spot a familiar face! can anyone name the drummer?
That's good to know. about the national team. But do you see how talented the U15, U17 and U19 teams. They are so talented and are thrashing all the opposition. Why doesn't the CBA emulate the system they have? I am aware that Indonesia have tournaments for U 11 and the U 15 players and invites other countries. Why can't the CBA do the same ? That's my point.
He's skillfull like Yang Yang but too bad he didn't supported by excellent mental strength, he succumbed in Barcelona OG 1992 (lost to Hermawan Susanto in last eight) and Thomas Cup semifinal (as MS1, lost to Rashid Sidek) in same year.