Leading contenders Zhang Ning (WR #1) Zhou Mi (WR #3) Gong Ruina (WR #5) Mia Audina (WR #6) Mia is practically the only one who can topple the Great Wall. Most notably, she did it in Japan and almost repeated the feat in Athens. When the dust settled, the Great Wall stands. Zhou Mi did not win any title (except the Uber Cup) but she was consistent throughout the year. Gong Ruina is the All-England champion, but otherwise has to concede the year to Zhang Ning. Zhang Ning won the most major titles this year - Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Uber Cup and most importantly, the Olympics. She is also the most consistent. She is no doubt the women's singles player of the year. Also-run: Xie Xingfang (WR #2) have won a handful of titles which is reflected in her high ranking but she mostly profited in the absence of the top players. In 2005, watch out for: Tine Rasmussen who looks to confidently take the mantle from Camilla Martin. Jun Jae Youn who is still young and yet to fulfill her promise. China's young guns (as always). Park Joo Bong's Japanese babes, who will herald a new era for Japan, although it's asking too much for them to challenge for the top titles. Most likely to be player of the year in 2005: Zhang Ning may be old in comparison, but this late-bloomer has another year yet.
Ah... so Japan's coach is Korean. During rounds of 16 in Indo Open, I was wondering "who is this Japanese coach talking to the korean players so casually? must be from the team's public relations department." lol
Should be an easy pick - Zhang Ning. For 2nd best, Xie, Mia and Gong are too close to call. Give Mia more credit because she is the only non-Chinese.
Zhang Ning is the easy pick here. not only did she win the most and most important tournament, she does it so flawlessly and in control. while Xie also won 4 titles, she is inconsistent for much of the first half of the year and as said, she won the titles mostly due to lack of competition. so she only get number 2. Mia did so-so, she only won one title and didn't even compete since the Olympics.
I think it's the opposite way. In the recent tournies (high lvl ones), it's proved that the CHN young girls are still quite a bit away from the top. Very in-consistent, and can't even win matches like fairly lowely US Open. The JP girl(s) are stepping up. Look what they did in Indo / KOR open. Yeah, many top elites (CHN big sisters & Mia) did not attend, but still...
Zhang Ning Olympics Gold Medal 3 GP wins 3 GP semi-finals Zhou Mi Olympic Bronze 3 GP finals 3 GP Semi finals 1 GP Quarter final 1 GP 16 round Xie Xinfang 4 GP wins 3 GP Quarter finals Wang Cheng 3 GP finals 5 GP Quarter finals 2 GP 32 rounds Gong Ruina 2 GP wins 1 GP final 1 GP Quarter final 3 GP Semi finals 1 GP 32 round Mi Aundina Tjiptawan Olympics Silver 1 GP win 1 Championship win 1 GP Final 2 GP Quarter finals 1 GP Semi final Pi Hongyan 1 GP Win 1 GP final 1 Championship final 5 GP Semi Finals 2 GP Quarter finals Therefore 1st Zhang Ning 2nd Zhou Mi 3rd Xie Xinfang
