All eyes are on Suzhou as the fiercely contested Sudirman Cup is just a few days away from starting. For this second group preview article, we take a look at the squads of Group B.
While Group A has some top guns — including favourites China —, Group B is no short of powerful athletes. Starting with Indonesia, the powerful badminton nation, has a stellar roster of the country’s best. After months off the court, Marcus Gideon/ Kevin Sukamuljo are back. Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, the recently-crowned Madrid Masters champion, will also be joining, as well as Asian champion Anthony Ginting and Fajar Alfian/ Muhammad Rian Ardianto.
Thailand’s exceptional ensemble features big names Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai, Pornpawee Chochuwong, and younger talents Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Benyapa Aimsaard / Nuntakarn Aimsaard. They will certainly be tough opposition for the strong Indonesian team.
European Mixed Team Championships bronze medallists Germany boast a strong player selection, including reigning European Champions Mark Lamsfuss/ Marvin Seidel and Mark Lamsfuss/ Isabel Lohau. Linda Efler, Kai Schaefer, Stine Kuespert, and Emma Moszczynski are also some of the names that contribute to the team’s strength.
“Sudirman Cup is never easy. It is a tough group with two huge badminton nations Indonesia and Thailand. And Canada will also not be easy. But we are looking forward to the tournament and will try out best,” Isabel Lohau stated.
Canada, the reigning Pan Am champions, will be travelling to China with some noteworthy singles players such as Brian Yang and Michelle Li. Catherine Choi/ Josephine Wu have gathered some good results in the first half of the year, including being runner-ups at the Polish Open and a recent 3rd position at the Mexican International just last week.
You can catch the first match-ups of Group B on the second day of the competition. In the morning session of Monday 15 May, Indonesia will face Canada and Thailand will be playing against Germany.
Find below the full squads for the teams in Group B:
Indonesia
Male players: Fajar Alfian, Muhammad Rian Ardianto, Leo Rolly Carnando, Jonathan Christie, Dejan Ferdinansyah, Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Daniel Marthin, Adnan Maulana, Rinov Rivaldy, Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo.
Female players: Nita Violina Marwah, Lanny Tria Mayasari, Pitha Haningtyas Mentari, Apriyani Rahayu, Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, Ribka Sugiarto, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, Putri Kusuma Wardani, Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja.
Thailand
Male players: Supak Jomkoh, Pharanyu Kaosamaang, Kittinupong Kedren, Dechapol Puavaranukroh,
Sitthikom Thammasin, Worrapol Thongsa-Nga, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Kantaphon Wangcharoen.
Female players: Benyapa Aimsaard, Nuntakarn Aimsaard, Pornpawee Chochuwong, Ratchanok Intanon, Jongkolphan Kititharakul, Busanan Ongbamrungphan, Supissara Paewsampran, Rawinda Prajongjai, Puttita Supajirakul, Puttita Taerattanachai.
Germany
Male players:
Mark Lamsfuss, Marvin Seidel, Jones Jansen, Malik Bourakkadi, Kai Schaefer, Fabian Roth
Female players:
Isabel Lohau, Linda Efler, Stine Kuespert, Emma Moszczynski, Yvonne Li, Miranda Wilson
Canada
Male players: Adam (Xingyu) Dong, Kevin Lee, Ty Alexander Lindeman, Nyl Yakura, Brian Yang.
Female players: Catherine Choi, Michelle Li, Talia Ng, Josephine Wu.