I think this shows that the current MD is actually quite competitive, if we take minions out of the equation, I'm sure we will see several winners this year for the superseries, its just that the current generation of MD is simply out of luck that they are in the same generation as the minions.
Boe/Mogensen win 16 SS. I totally agree. Every MD pairs are equal. Minions are dominating as usual, but they can be defeated at an unexpected situation.
They blow all the other MD away because they are simply too good. Also, a lot of MD is about motivation. AG victory is the motivating factor. I didnt even know how they get through InoueKaneko, GohTan and the Final offcourse . It was an extremely difficult draw when they were at their lowest performance. This gives them lots of belief when they trail they can bounce back unlike other MD , when they trail they just give up. Its just mentally too difficult to come back from a game down.
Yeah, it's not like minions are much stronger or much better than the others in skills and everything else. Unlike the dominating pairs back then (after the new rally system) Cai/Fu, LYD/JJS, Fu/Zhang, LYD/YYS, Ahsan/Hendra or other Korean pairs when both players levels were clearly higher above the rest. Kevin is sure the special entity (he has the X-factor as Boe called it) to this partnership. Marcus is not (that much) better than the others, but his game is good enough to make this pair works tremendously well. All thanks to the coach who had successfully convinced Kevin to give his best regardless his partner's level, I suppose I still remember watching their matches back in 2015 when Kevin always (plainly) showed his disappointment or frustration whenever Marcus made so many mistakes especially in critical time. Now he can actually smile about it and he is more than willing to cover his partner with all his might. Never seen any pairs who can evolve drastically to something else during the match, those clearing tactics were just amusing. Now they are getting better at changing the pace during the rally too. In other words, they are brave and actually a crazy pair. Not easy to beat crazy people, because they are not afraid of the risk or to die trying
What really impressed me is how they improved so much when playing in slow hall/with slow shuttle. back then, well even in WC this year in nanjing they clearly struggling with the slow playing condition, and here we go...only 3 months after that WC they look like they enjoying themselves playing in slow hall/with slow shuttle, they knew what they need to do. I agree, tactically they're really improved.
Just watched the replay of the final match again. I think I noticed Markus wife was sitting in front of Inoue? I suppose they are going to do some baby goods shopping in Hong Kong. He just made some extra pocket money to spend
SO I was at the Hong Kong Open as a reporter and I got to interview Kevin & Marcus on the second day of the tournament! I just included the brief post-game interview on my vlog about the first day of the tournament. Please check it out! Even though it was a brief post-game interview it was really exciting for me to be able to talk to them. I'll be putting up a few more videos about the tournament later this week but I am ashamed to say that I didn;t interview Kevin & Gideon again. They tended to play the last game of the night, ending way after 11pm and I was too exhausted to wait for the games to finish so I admite I went back to the hotel before they stopped playing so I didn't have the chance....I know, I'm lame and old.
Haha, no, not compared to me. But the danish team (Boe and Mogensen) walked by me first and there was a considerable height difference between them and the minions.
So happy that minions are the record holder for 10 consecutive finals victory in MD. Keep breaking records minions..
Kevin speaks English way worse than Marcus. Back in the day, Kevin had always pour his feelings out on social media. People make a direct appeal for empathy & respond by teasing him instead.
LOL yeah.. He was using the wrong translator or dictionary I bet he he was saying Angel in his heart Then again he dropped out from school (junior high?) to focus on badminton or so he said. But his parents said that Kevin just hated studying.
Awwww, that makes me super sad. But I guess the people that are drawn to him for his attitude and antics aren't especially forgiving with showing weakness, which is too bad. No. While I love talking I don't think I'd be a good commentator. Although when Gillian and I were talking we were talking about Tai Tzu ying and she said something like, "she's poised to break a world record because she won this one last year, and...the year before? Did she win it then?" And then she looked at me as if I would know! hahaha. I was like "I don't know! You're Gillian! I learn my facts from you!" Thanks for watching everyone!