Youth Olympic Badminton: Singapore’s Huang Chao qualifies for quarter-finals after three consecutive wins in group stage

Posted by: Posted date: August 17, 2010 | 1,301 views
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By Alan Chiang/Red Sports

YOG<br /> badminton”></p> <p> Huang Chao emerged victorious against his taller counterpart in New Zealander Asher Richardson. Huang maintained a 100 per cent record to advance to the quarter-finals. (Photo 1 © XINHUA/SYOGOC-POOL/Fan Jun)</p> </div> <p>Singapore Indoor Stadium, Monday, August 16, 2010 — Singapore’s Huang Chao qualified for the quarter-finals of the boy’s singles when he needed just 16 minutes and 15 seconds to overcome New Zealand’s Asher Richardson 21-7, 21-8 in the final match of the group stage in the Youth Olympic Games badminton competition.</p> <p>18 year old Huang, a current Singapore Sports School student, had outshone two previous opponents in India’s second seed Sai Praneeth Bhamidipati and Peru’s most-outstanding prospect, Mario Cuba.</p> <p>Sai Praneeth was a semi-finalist at the 2010 World Junior Championships, while Cuba holds a laudable world ranking of 161.</p> <p>Only the eight group winners will advance to the quarter-finals in the boys’ singles competition. Huang knew that a win against Richardson would allow him to maintain a 100 per cent record, and assure himself of a place in the next round. With much at stake, Huang put on an aggressive front. </p> <p>Richardson, with a height of 1.93m, is the tallest badminton player at the Games, but could not use that to his advantage. Huang stretched the play throughout the match, not allowing time and opportunity for his opponent to react and strike. </p> <p>Huang drew first blood from the first point. His swift and decisive plays forced Richardson into a huge 2-11 deficit by the first break of play. Huang dropped a couple of points towards the end of the set but still managed to complete the first set rout at 21-7.</p> <p>The second set was more of the same for Huang, and he did not disappoint the home fans. He wowed the crowd with some brilliant cross-court plays and prevailed over his taller opponent in an almost similar fashion, wininng 21-8.</p> <p>Huang was jubilant after the convincing win. He said, “I’m really proud to represent Singapore at the YOG and I am ready to get more good results.” </p> <p>Huang felt that the crowd support was crucial to his confident performance throughout the competition. He exclaimed, “I love the support!”</p> <p>His Senior Technical Manager, Chua Long Joo, who was formerly Singapore’s coach and player, said, “I was told by Huang (Chao) that he really appreciated the crowd support and it was vital in upsetting the India’s second seed Praneeth.” </p> <p>Huang will face Malaysia’s highly-rated shuttler Loh Wei Sheng in the quarter-finals, after Loh compiled a similar perfect record to emerge as another group winner.</p> <p>Huang was cautious of his chances against Loh, saying, “It will be a close fight as we met a couple of times before. But to be able to qualify for the quarter-finals has already shown my capabilities at this YOG.”</p> <p>Chua added, “He (Huang) has been the underdog in this competition and I am sure he has got his weapon to overcome all odds. Malaysia’s Loh (Wei Sheng) is a really steady player who does not make a lot of mistakes in his game.”</p> <p>Huang Chao and his coaches would like to garner backing from all Singaporeans in his upcoming match against Malaysia’s top boy this evening, 7.40pm at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Home support will definitely spur our young talent on to achieve his best.</p> <div id=

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