Sorry, mistaken about WADA testing. Only top 5 pairs are in the Registered Testing Pool, not top 10. http://www.bwfbadminton.org/page.aspx?id=15523
With the apparent discord between ZYL and TQ, things are getting complicated. Is Chen QQ now in charge of Chinese WD?
I don't trust the Luo sisters to do well consistently. I think Yu Yang and Tang YT must be the pair n.1. ZYL and TQ is perhaps unsure, so what's left apart the Luos? It seems that Ma Jin dropped her WD adventure. Tang JH and Huang did not do well lately.
If Yu Yang and Tang Yuanting are confirmed, then that leaves another possible pair. I would like to see Tian Qing and Tang Jinhua. This pair isn't particularly outstanding anywhere, but has no specific weaknesses that one can target either. The coaches should really consider making this pair a permanent one and send them to Rio. Speaking of which, where is Tang Jinhua? Zhao Yunlei can then focus on XD. Luo twins are not efficient players. But could be a nice backup pair.
Actually any of those pairs could go on the podium at Rio. The problem is that none of them is a strong fav for gold
I think Ma Jin is facing the same problem as ZYL, having to play in two discipline. But considering that ZYL/ZN is number one, and that Liu/Bao is a very good number 2, Ma Jin could focus on WD (if she is willing). Then she could pair with TQ or TJH.
The online entry for The Malaysia Master 2016 (GP Gold) closes today. The MQ report will be published this Friday. http://www.bwfbadminton.org/tournamentcalendar_event.aspx?id=25841 This should give us a hint as to the things to come.
It seems these four pairs are now in contention, according to Liu Yong: TQ/ZYL, YY/TYT, Luo sisters, TJH/Zhong http://sports.sina.com.cn/others/badmin/2015-12-21/doc-ifxmttme6022126.shtml
I would like to see TJH/Zhong standing tall with YY/TYT.. Its a pain to watch ZYL loose, so she should focus only in XD and make it a sure shot gold
I think it should be clear by now - it's again a choice of three choose two among Luo Ying/Luo Yu, Zhao Yunlei/Tian Qing, and Yu Yang/Tang Yuanting. My vote , if I'm to choose, goes to Zhao Yunlei/Tian Qing and Yu Yang/Tang Yuanting. That's because the Luo twins just lack the little bit extra to take out the best in the rest of the world in a consistent and convincing manner, unlike the other two pairs. No need to elaborate further.
Tian Qing/Zhao Yunlei's performance is of some concern lately. Their lack of communication between each other is clearly affecting them and it doesn't appear to me that Zhao's stamina can now last both XD and WD. But I guess it's too late now.
Even if she's been struggling lately, she's shown enough times that she can rise up to the occasion. I think the coaches' confidence in her will be enough to see her contending both disciplines.
