LookAtVietnam – The Yonex-Sunrise National Individual Badminton Championship will kick off on Sunday in the northern province of Thai Binh.

“It’s unlikely that anyone will be able to prevent HCM City’s Nguyen Tien Minh, who is ranked No 9 in the world, from winning the gold,” Sang said.

“There is no doubt Minh will take the title for the sixth year in a row. But I have seen rising stars from other teams who will be a major threat in the doubles events,” he said.

“Ha Noi are always powerful rivals in these categories. This year, the reigning champions will face a pair from the Army team who have been training in China,” Sang said.

The outcome of the women’s singles however is less easy to predict, Sang said, adding that defending champion Nguyen Thi Binh Tho will have her work cut out.

HCM City’s Thai Thi Hong Gam would pose major difficulties for Tho.

Meanwhile, badminton veteran Le Ngoc Nguyen Nhung from HCM City, who returns to competition after retiring for two years, is sure to put up a tough fight.

Phung Nguyen Phuong Nhi from Quang Tri and Pham Thi Trang of Thanh Hoa are also candidates for the gold medal.

Trang, who is paired with Nguyen Thi Sen, won the doubles gold last year.

The national championship is expected to draw 79 badminton players from 17 teams, who will be playing in five events of the men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed-doubles.

The finals will take place on September 19.

Last year, HCM City finished top of the leader board. Thai Binh were second and host Bac Giang third.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News