MONTH-LONG COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR SUDIRMAN CUP
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2019
TEXT BY DEV SUKUMAR | BADMINTONPHOTO
蘇迪曼盃倒數計時一個月
The 16th edition of the World Mixed Team Championships is just a month away, a
nd all signs are that it will be a closely-contested event between the 12 team
s in Group 1.
距離第十六屆世界混合團體冠軍盃只剩下一個月，而所有的跡象顯示Group 1的十二個隊
伍之間的競爭將非常激烈。
Of the three major team events – the Thomas Cup and the Uber Cup being the ot
hers – the Sudirman Cup has seen the fewest winning nations. While the Thomas
Cup and the Uber Cup have each been conquered by five nations, only three nat
ions have achieved the feat at the Sudirman Cup.
贏得三大團體賽—湯盃、優盃以及蘇盃的國家一向非常少。湯盃跟優盃分別曾由五個國家
獲得，而蘇盃只有三個國家取得勝利。
Even more pertinent is the fact that, after the first edition in 1989 won by I
ndonesia, the Sudirman Cup has been in the possession of only two countries –
China and Korea.
比這更為相關的事實是，在印尼獲得首屆冠軍後，蘇迪曼盃只掌握在兩個國家手裡，即是
中國與韓國。
Thus, the 30th year of the Sudirman Cup will be a challenge to the other teams
– can they defy the pattern set over three decades and make history in Nanni
ng?
因此，第三十屆的蘇盃對其他國家將會是一個挑戰：他們能對抗過去三十年既有的圖像，
並在中國南寧創造歷史嗎？
On paper, Japan – in Group 1A with Thailand and Russia – look strong contend
ers to complete their full set of team victories, having won the Thomas Cup in
2014 and the Uber Cup in 2018.
從理論上來講，日本（他們在Group 1的A組，跟泰國、俄國同組）是強而有力的競爭者，
他們完成了團賽2014湯盃跟2018優盃的勝利。
The top seeds have strength in all five categories, and will look to improve o
n their strong showing in Gold Coast, when, even without Kento Momota, they ra
n China close in the semifinals.
日本在這五項裡面都具備有力的頂尖種子，看起來會促使他們比上屆黃金海岸的表現更為
強勢。上屆在桃田賢斗的缺席下，他們與中國在半決賽階段廝殺十分接近。
Japan head coach Park Joo Bong acknowledged that while his team had a good cha
nce to win the title, China – on home turf – would be their most formidable
opponents.
日本主教練朴柱奉認為，雖然他們的隊伍很有機會贏得蘇盃，不過在主場作戰的中國會是
他們最強大的對手。
Ten-time champions China’s preparations received a booster shot with the All
England win of Chen Yufei in women’s singles and Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan in w
omen’s doubles, the two categories that have slipped from China’s hands in r
ecent years.
對曾獲十屆冠軍的中國而言，此次賽事的準備因陳雨菲、陳清晨/賈一凡贏得全英女單、
女雙冠軍後獲得了助力。因為這是近幾年中國下滑最多的兩個項目。
However, while Japan and China remain favourites in the run-up to the Sudirman
Cup, a few other teams have built up all-round strength.
雖然中國與日本仍是奪冠大熱門，不過也有一些其他國家已建立了全方面的實力。
Thailand, for instance, will be inspired by the recent Singapore Open win of t
heir mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai. With s
trong performers in women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles, Thai
land can pose a problem or two for the favourites.
舉例來說，泰國在沙西麗/德差鵬獲得新加坡混雙冠軍裡得到了鼓舞。泰國在女單、女雙
與混雙三項有著傑出的表現，他們可能會對奪冠的熱門國家製造麻煩。
China are in Group 1D with India and Malaysia. India can bank on their two sin
gles, while their doubles pairs can be dangerous opponents for the favoured na
mes, and even China might be hard-pressed to beat them.
中國與印度、馬來西亞同在D組。印度依賴單打項目的發揮，而他們的雙打組合對名將而
言可能會是危險的對手，甚至連中國都很難擊敗他們。
（註：意思就是印度雙打不太有名、參賽少，大家無從研究，可能會爆冷門？）
Malaysia have strong pairs in men’s doubles and mixed doubles; and if their e
merging players in the other categories deliver, pre-tournament expectations i
n the group could turn topsy-turvy.
馬來西亞在男雙、混雙具有強勢的組合。但如果他們在其他項目出現了傑出的新球員，D
組的賽前預估就會變得混亂不堪。
Indonesia, in Group 1B with Denmark and England, will quietly be fancying thei
r chances. In Jonatan Christie and Anthony Sinisuka Ginting they have consiste
nt men’s singles players; their men’s doubles are in reliable hands. Much wi
ll depend on young Gregoria Mariska Tunjung in women’s singles. If she does h
old up her end, as she did in the Uber Cup where she remained unbeaten, Indone
sia can expect a memorable campaign.
印尼與丹麥、英格蘭同處於B組，他們暗自竊喜這個機會。喬納坦、金廷身上具備印尼男
單一貫的能力，男雙項目更是他們的靠山。接下來大部分就要看年輕小女單瑪麗斯卡的表
現。如果她像優盃的時候一樣保持不敗金身，那印尼就可以期待一場值得紀念的比賽。
Chinese Taipei, like India, can bank on their singles (Chou Tien Chen and Tai
Tzu Ying). What will enthuse them is the form of Wang Chi-Lin in both his doub
les. This year, their new men’s doubles combination Wang and Lee Yang made th
ree finals in a row, of which they won two.
中華臺北跟印度一樣依靠兩個單打項目（周天成、戴資穎）。能夠激勵他們的會是王齊麟
在雙打兼項的狀態。今年，王齊麟/李洋的男雙新搭檔已經連續進入三次決賽，他們拿了
兩個冠軍。
（註：應該是三個冠軍。問題是，王齊麟有參加蘇盃？）
Chinese Taipei, though, are in the most competitive of all the four groups, Gr
oup 1C, which includes defending champions Korea and Hong Kong.
不過中華臺北位處這四個小組賽裡面最競爭最激烈的，C組裡包括尋求衛冕的冠軍韓國，
還有香港。
（註：另外兩個沒什麼競爭力吧。）
Korea haven’t had much to crow about lately, and Son Wan Ho’s recent injury
would be a setback. The Koreans, having exceeded all expectations at the last
edition with a young team; will surpass any achievement in their history if th
ey can repeat what they did in Gold Coast.
最近的韓國實在是沒有太多可以誇口的東西，孫完虎受傷是一大挫敗。韓國在上屆動用的
年輕團隊出乎意料，如果他們這屆能夠重複上次黃金海岸的表現，將超越他們隊史上的任
何成就。
Denmark will miss the services of Christinna Pedersen in both her doubles cate
gories, and will expect Sara Thygesen and Maiken Fruergaard to step up. The Da
nes are solid in the two men’s categories, and if Mia Blichfeldt and Line Kja
ersfeldt can deliver women’s singles, they are capable of going far.
丹麥缺了Pedersen擔綱雙打兼項之後，只能期待Sara Thygesen跟Maiken Fruergaard接上
。丹麥的兩個男隊項目十分穩固，如果Mia跟Line能在女單項目挽救大家，他們就有能力
走遠一點。
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tdown-begins-for-sudirman-cup/