The tournament boasts incredible draws across all disciplines. At the top of the list in men’s singles, Lee Chong Wei (DUORA 10 LCW, POWER CUSHION AERUS LCW) has his sights on a fourth title at the tournament, and will compete head-to-toe in his brand new Lee Chong Wei Exclusive line. Rival Lin Dan (VOLTRIC Z-FORCE II LD, SHBSC6LDEX) also has his eyes on his sixth trophy at the tournament coming off of winning his sixth Yonex German Open title last week. The two are on opposing sides of the draw, and could potentially face each other in the final. The pair of living legends appeared in the first Legends’ Vision event of 2016 on March 7th, and spoke of their deep rivalry and friendship. Other players to keep an eye on men’s singles include Danish powerhouses Jan O. Jorgensen (VOLTRIC 80 E-tune, Yonex Shoes) and Viktor Axelsen (ARCSABER 11, Yonex Shoes) along with Taiwanese Chou Tien Chen (VOLTRIC Z-FORCE, POWER CUSHION 02 LTD), who reached the Yonex German Open finals to face Lin Dan.
In women’s singles, Spanish World No. 1 Carolina Marin (NANORAY Z-SPEED, POWER CUSHION 02 LADIES) leads the pack. She is this year’s defending champion, and two-time World Champion, winning the Gold medal consecutively last year and the year before. It goes without saying that Saina Nehwal (NANORAY 900, POWER CUSHION 02 LADIES) also has her gaze fixed on this year’s trophy, placing as finalist in last year’s tournament. She won the title at the YONEX-SUNRISE India Open Superseries last year—her local tournament. Ratchanok Intanon (VOLTRIC 70 E-tune, POWER CUSHION 02 LADIES) is the No. 6 seed at the tournament, and recently won the title at the maiden edition of the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters.
In doubles, World Champions Mohammad Ahsan (NANORAY 900, POWER CUSHION 75) and Hendra Setiawan (NANORAY 900, POWER CUSHION AERUS MENS) will be fighting for their second title at the All England in the men’s competition. The pair also secured a title at the maiden Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters last month. Kamilla Rytter Juhl (NANORAY 900, Yonex Shoes) and Christinna Pedersen (NANORAY 800, POWER CUSHION 02 LADIES) will be shooting for their first title at this year’s tournament in the women’s contest, and mixed doubles pair of Chris Adcock (VOLTRIC Z-FORCE Ⅱ, POWER CUSHION AERUS MENS) and Gabrielle Adcock (VOLTRIC Z-FORCE Ⅱ, POWER CUSHION AERUS LADIES) will be wanting a title at their local tournament coming off their historic BWF World Superseries Finals triumph last year.
The action is only just getting started here in Birmingham, and with players like this poised to duke it out, this year’s tournament is once again proving to be one to remember.
Photo of Lee Chong Wei taken from LCW Exclusive promo vid; other photos from 2015 BWF World Superseries Finals