1970 Thomas Cup

Last updated
1970 Thomas Cup
Location Flag of Malaysia.svg Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
←  1967
1973  →

The 1970 Thomas Cup was the eighth tournament of Thomas Cup, the most important men's badminton team competition in the world. The final set of ties (team matches) were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Contents

Indonesia won its fourth title after beating Malaysia in the Final Round.

Teams

25 teams took part in the competition, 3 of them in the Australasian Zone, 8 in the Asian Zone, 9 in the European Zone and 5 in the Pan American Zone. As defending champion, Malaysia received a bye through the zone qualifications and the first round of Inter-zone ties, and played directly in the second round of inter-zone ties (the semifinal round of the entire tournament).

Qualifications

Australasian zone

First round

New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg8–1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Melbourne, Australia
Singapore  Flag of Singapore.svgbye

Final round

New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg7–2Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore Christchurch, New Zealand

Asian zone

Japan  Flag of Japan.svg9–0Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong Hong Kong
Thailand  Flag of Thailand.svg9–0Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand  Flag of Thailand.svg9–0Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Ceylon Colombo, Ceylon
Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svg7–2Flag of India.svg  India Jaipur, India
Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svg6–3Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand Bangkok, Thailand

Final round

Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svg5–4Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Kyoto, Japan

European zone

First round

Ireland  Flag of Ireland.svg5–4Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Ballymena, Northern Ireland
Sweden  Flag of Sweden.svg7–2Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Gothenburg, Sweden
England  Flag of England.svg7–2Flag of Germany.svg  FR Germany Bracknell, England
Norway  Flag of Norway.svgbye

Second round

Sweden  Flag of Sweden.svg9–0Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland Ballymena, Northern Ireland
England  Flag of England.svg9–0Flag of Norway.svg  Norway Wells, England

Third round

Sweden  Flag of Sweden.svg7–2Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Haarlem, Netherlands
Denmark  Flag of Denmark.svg6–3Flag of England.svg  England Blackburn, England

Final round

Denmark  Flag of Denmark.svg8–1Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Copenhagen, Denmark

Panamerican zone

First round

United States  Flag of the United States.svg8–1Flag of Peru.svg  Peru Lima, Peru
Mexico  Flag of Mexico.svgbye
Canada  Flag of Canada (Pantone).svgbye
Jamaica  Flag of Jamaica.svgbye

Second round

United States  Flag of the United States.svg7–2Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico San Diego, United States
Canada  Flag of Canada (Pantone).svgWOFlag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica

Final round

Canada  Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg6–3Flag of the United States.svg  United States Calgary, Canada

Summary of qualification (Intra-zone) ties

New Zealand, led by the Purser brothers, Richard and Bryan, won the Australasian Zone for the first time by beating Australia (8-1) and Singapore (7-2). Denmark again prevailed in the European Zone. Its closest tie came in the zone semifinal against England which the Danes won six matches to three, thanks largely to Svend Pri's three victories. Three wins by Jamie Paulson were also instrumental in Canada's first ever victory (6–3) over the USA in the Pan American zone.

The greatest drama came in the Asian Zone which contained several of the strongest teams in the entire competition. Indonesia, fighting to regain the cup that it had relinquished in 1967, began its quest by defeating India (7-2). It then became embroiled in yet another highly controversial tie, but this time one in which Indonesia, rather than its opponent nation, claimed to be the victim of partisanship. Facing Thailand in Bangkok, up three matches to two, Indonesia removed its player (Muljadi) from the court during the first game of the sixth match and refused to continue. Though Thailand was initially awarded the tie, 6-3, the IBF upheld an Indonesian protest and ordered the tie to be continued, at three matches each in Japan, where the zone final was scheduled to be played. When Thailand refused to comply, Indonesia was awarded the match (6-3). In the zone final Indonesia faced a Japanese team which boasted one of the strongest lineups of singles players (Ippei Kojima, Masao Akiyama, and Junji Honma) in the tournament. Indonesia finally prevailed (5-4), largely because of Rudy Hartono's four victories.

Inter-zone playoffs

Prior to the 1969-1970 Thomas Cup series the defending champion nation had been exempt from earlier play, needing only to defeat a challenger in a single, conclusive challenge round tie. Beginning with this series, however, the defending champion received a bye only to an inter-zone semifinal tie, needing to win this contest and the inter-zone final in order to retain the Cup. Malaysia, defending its title at home in Kuala Lumpur, drew a Danish team which was missing two of its leading "regulars." The veteran Erland Kops, highly critical of the IBF's (BWF's) decision to sustain Indonesia's protest against Thailand (see Intra-zone summary above), declined to play in further Thomas Cup contests. [1] For reasons less clear, Denmark's top singles player Svend Pri was also unavailable. Nevertheless, Malaysia had great difficulty against a group of opponents who seemed to be less affected by the tropical heat and humidity than previous Danish squads had been. Playing first singles for Denmark, the talented Elo Hansen stunned both Tan Aik Huang and "Punch" Gunalan in straight game, while the veteran Henning Borch outlasted Abdul Rahman in the third singles match. Malaysia managed to scrape home 5–4 by taking three of the four doubles matches and both singles against the Danish number two. Gunalan atoned for his loss to Hansen by decisively winning his remaining singles and doubles.

In the other half of the draw, Indonesia, having barely survived the Asian zone qualification, coasted through two ties against first time inter-zone participants. It beat New Zealand without the loss of a match or a game, and Canada with almost equal ease. In eight singles games against Rudy Hartono and Muljadi, Canada's Jamie Paulson and Wayne Macdonnell could aggregate only 21 points. [2]

First round

Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svg9–0Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand

Second round

Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svg9–0Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Malaysia  Flag of Malaysia.svg5–4Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark

Final round summary

Malaysia's struggle on its home courts against Denmark had boded badly for its chances against Indonesia, but the relative ease of Indonesia's victory in the final still surprised many observers. [3] Indonesia captured five of the first six matches, including all four at the first two singles positions, to wrest the Cup from Malaysia. Though "Punch" Gunalan was Malaysia's strongest all-around player at this time, he was also (at the comparatively late age of 26) a Thomas Cup rookie, and nerves may have played a role in his tame lead-off loss to the veteran Muljadi. He won the first of his doubles matches with the redoubtable Ng Boon Bee and extended Rudy Hartono to three games in the fifth match of the tie, but the potential three wins which might have been expected from Gunalan's racket did not materialize. Indonesia regained the title by a final score of 7–2, in one of the very few Thomas Cup occasions that a team has had much more difficulty in qualifying for the final set of ties than in winning it. Again, Hartono won all four of his matches.

Final round

1970 Thomas Cup Champions
Flag of Indonesia.svg
Indonesia
Fourth title

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rudy Hartono</span> Indonesian badminton player

Rudy Hartono Kurniawan is an Indonesian former badminton player holding the record of winning the men's singles title at the All-England Championship eight times, seven times consecutively from 1968 to 1974. He won the World Championship in 1980 on his only attempt at this title. He is one of the most famous players in the history of the sport and is considered to be one of the greatest badminton players of all time.

The Thomas Cup, sometimes called the World Men's Team Championships, is an international badminton competition among teams representing member nations of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the sport's global governing body. The championships have been conducted every two years since the 1982, amended from being conducted every three years since the first tournament held in 1948–1949.

The 1949 Thomas Cup was the inaugural tournament of Thomas Cup, the most important men's badminton team competition in the world.

The 1952 Thomas Cup competition is an international team tournament for supremacy in men's badminton. Beginning in 1948–49, it was held every three years until 1982 and thereafter has been held every two years. Twelve national teams contested for the Thomas Cup in the 1951-1952 badminton season, the tournament's second edition. According to the rules then in place Malaya was exempt from earlier ties, needing only to defend its title in a conclusive challenge round tie. The other contestants were divided into three regional qualifying zones, the Pacific, Europe, and Pan America, for the early ties. The winners of each zone then played-off in Malaya for the right to face Malaya in the challenge round. For a more detailed description of the Thomas Cup format see Wikipedia's general article on the Thomas Cup.

The 1955 Thomas Cup competition is an international team tournament for supremacy in men's badminton. Beginning in 1948–49, it was held every three years until 1982 and has been held every two years thereafter. Twenty-one national teams officially entered the third Thomas Cup series in 1954-1955 but two of these, Belgium and Burma, defaulted their opening ties. Four qualifying zones were established: Asia, Australasia, Europe and Pan America. Winners from each zone played-off in Singapore in late May and early June for the right to play Malaya which, as defending champion, was exempt until it met a challenger in a conclusive challenge round tie. For a more detailed description of the Thomas Cup format see Wikipedia's general article on the Thomas Cup.

The 1958 Thomas Cup competition is an international team tournament for supremacy in men's badminton. Beginning in 1948–49 it was held every three years until 1982 and has been held every two years thereafter. Nineteen teams contested for the Thomas Cup during the 1957-1958 season. As defending champion Malaya was exempt until the conclusive tie called the challenge round. The other eighteen teams were divided into four qualifying zones; Asia, Australasia, Europe, and Pan America; with the winners of each intra-zone competition advancing to inter-zone competition in Singapore to determine a challenger to Malaya. For a more detailed description of the Thomas Cup format see Wikipedia's general article on the Thomas Cup.

The 1961 Thomas Cup competition is an international team tournament for supremacy in men's badminton. Beginning in 1948–49 it was held every three years until 1982 and thereafter every two years. Nineteen teams, eighteen of them starting from four regional qualifying zones, Asia, Australasia, Europe, and Pan America, contested for the Thomas Cup during the 1960-1961 seasons. Zone winners then played-off in Jakarta, Indonesia for the right to face defending champion Indonesia, in a conclusive challenge round. For a more detailed description of the Thomas Cup format, see Wikipedia's general article on the Thomas Cup.

The 1964 Thomas Cup competition is an international team tournament for supremacy in men's badminton. Beginning in 1948–49 it was held every three years until 1982 and thereafter it has been held every two years. Twenty-six national teams, each starting from one of four qualifying zones, vied for the Thomas Cup during the 1963-1964 badminton season. Qualifying zone winners played-off in Tokyo, Japan for the right to face defending champion Indonesia, which was exempt from earlier ties, in a conclusive challenge round tie. Prior to 1964 the defending champion nation had regularly hosted both the inter-zone playoffs and the challenge round, but a rules change effective that year prevented the same defending champion nation from having this advantage for two successive Thomas Cup seasons. For a more detailed description of the Thomas Cup format see Wikipedia's general article on the Thomas Cup.

Datuk Punch Gunalan was a Malaysian badminton player, who achieved success in both singles and doubles competitions.

Tan Aik Huang is a retired Malaysian badminton player noted for his footwork and patience. He was a former All England champion, having won the men's singles title in 1966. Tan was a member of four Malaysian Thomas Cup teams including its world champion team of 1967. He also won numerous major international singles titles during the mid- and late 1960s including the Danish Open, the US Open, the Canadian Open, the Malaysian Open and the Singapore Open. Additionally, Tan holds the distinction of being the first Malaysian shuttler in the Commonwealth Games to win two gold medals in individual events. He is the elder brother of Tan Aik Mong.

Dato' Ng Boon Bee was a Malaysian badminton player who excelled from the 1960s through the early 1970s. His success in doubles earned him recognition as one of greatest doubles players in badminton history.

Muljadi was a world class badminton player who represented Indonesia between 1963 and 1973.

The 1967 Thomas Cup was the seventh tournament of Thomas Cup, the most important men's badminton team competition in the world. The inter-zone matches and Challenge Round finale were held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The 1973 Thomas Cup was the ninth edition of the Thomas Cup, the world championship of men's international team badminton. The final set of ties involving regional zone winners and the defending champion nation were held in Jakarta, Indonesia in late May and early June 1973. Beginning in 1948–49 the tournament was held every three years until 1982 and has been held every two years thereafter. For more details on the format of Thomas Cup competition see Wikipedia's general article on the Thomas Cup.

The 1976 Thomas Cup was the tenth edition of Thomas Cup, the world championship of men's international team badminton. The final rounds contested by qualifying teams were held in Bangkok, Thailand in late May and early June. First played in 1948–49, the Thomas Cup competition was held every three years after that until 1982 and has been held every two years since. For more details on the format of past and present Thomas Cup competition see Wikipedia's general article on the Thomas Cup.

The 1979 Thomas Cup was the 11th edition of the Thomas Cup competition, the world championship of men's international team badminton. The final rounds contested by qualifying zone winners and defending champions Indonesia were held at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia in late May and early June. First played in 1948–49, the Thomas Cup competition was held every three years until 1982, and since then has been held every two years.

Sangob Rattanusorn is a former badminton player from Thailand who won numerous titles and represented his country in team play from the early 1960s through the early 1970s.

The 1975 Uber Cup was the 7th edition of the Uber Cup, the women's badminton team competition. The tournament took place in the 1974-75 badminton season, 14 countries competed. Indonesia won its first title in the Uber Cup, after beating the defending champion Japan in the Final Round in Jakarta.

The 1969 Uber Cup was the fifth edition of the Uber Cup, the women's badminton team competition. The tournament took place in the 1968-1969 badminton season, 18 countries competed. Japan won its second title in the Uber Cup, after beating the Indonesia team in the Final Round in Tokyo, Japan.

The 1972 Uber Cup was the fifth edition of the Uber Cup, the women's badminton team competition. The tournament took place in the 1971-1972 badminton season, 17 countries competed. Japan won its third title in the Uber Cup, after beating the Indonesia team 6-1 in the Final Round in Tokyo, Japan.

References

  1. ↑ Ole Mertz, "Badminton in Denmark," Badminton USA, November 1970, 11.
  2. ↑ Herbert Scheele ed., The International Badminton Federation Handbook for 1971 (Canterbury, Kent, England: J. A. Jennings Ltd., 1971) 29.
  3. ↑ Scheele, 23.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.