Leading contenders Jens Eriksen/Martin Lungaard Hansen (WR #1) Ha Tae Kwon/Kim Dong Moon (WR #9) Eriksen/L.Hansen ended the year ranked #1 and took the All-England and European title. They are the most consistent pair throughout the year as reflected by their year-end top ranking. Ha/Kim won the Japan title and more importantly, the Olympic title. After the Olympics, they disappeared, but before that they were consistent enough. They end the year ranked #9 but only with 6 tournaments. On average they are top ranked. Based on that and their Olympic title, they are the men's doubles pair of the year. Also-runs: Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen who are titleless in 2004. Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah who only showed glimpses of promise in the run-up to the Olympics. Luluk Hadiyanto/Alven Yulianto who were patchy until the closing months of 2004. Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng who only won the Swiss Open (minor tournament) and the Thomas Cup (but lost in final) And a few other Indonesian pairs who collectively did well, but individually line-up behind Luluk/Alven this year. In 2005, watch out for (those who haven't fulfilled their potential yet): Luluk Hadiyanto/Alven Yulianto who have thus far mostly been bridesmaids but not anymore. New pairing Choong Tan Fook/Chew Choon Eng who may be old but still formidable for at least another year. Koo Kean Kit who at 19, is currently the best teenage doubles player, partnered with Chan Chong Ming, who is still struggling to rediscover his power. A few new young Danish pairs, who all seem to be tall, skinny and close-cropped. Most likely to be pair of the year in 2005: Luluk/Alven, but they have their work cut out for them. Even to stay as the top Indon pair.
i cant predict on this category, kim/ha may take the award, but then again, after the olympic they are no longer exist, its not yet for luluk/alven to get the award, maybe in 2005, eriksen / lundgaard are the top contenders i think
Such award was given specially from whizkelv Well, I'm actually rating the players as the best, second best and third best (from my personal point of view)
oh i see, so who knows when exactly are they going to announce it? that seems fun, i want to make awards a la whizkelv too!haha ok, here goes g : eriksen/lundgaard s : kim/ha b : alven/luluk
my pick of the best doubles pair of the year should be one of two pairs: Ha/Kim or Luluk/Alven. Luluk/Alven won three 5* tournament and one 2*, while Ha/Kim won the Olympics (7*) and Japan (5*) the Olympics hold more weight than its * rating, but even so, i would put the 2 pairs evenly. by looking at their head-to-head record, they are also even, 1-1 in the year of 2004. can i declare a draw?
well, me personally think that since its the year when the great kim/ha retired, i think they could have the honour, but i think alven/luluk is also deserving, since they emerged from a bridesmaids to one of the top players (well, they were on top at the end of 2004 anyway), and they closed the year with very good note,winning 2 5* tournaments in a row, and won 4 titles overall, so, after hours D ) of consideration, my pick goes to...... .......uh,,,cant decide, but maybe alven/luluk with margin as thick as air
