The Yonex ArcSaber 100 Limited Edition was released to commemorate (and make money from) the 100th All England Tournament.
It has to be one of the best-designed Yonex rackets to date.
Thursday 30 May 2013
Yonex ArcSaber 100 Limited Edition - the long wait is over
Finally got my hands on one of these...
The Yonex ArcSaber 100 Limited Edition was released to commemorate (and make money from) the 100th All England Tournament.
It has to be one of the best-designed Yonex rackets to date.
The Yonex ArcSaber 100 Limited Edition was released to commemorate (and make money from) the 100th All England Tournament.
It has to be one of the best-designed Yonex rackets to date.
Sunday 26 May 2013
Sprained Wrist
Sustained an injury that got worse over the last few games. I'm thinking it's a combination of my wanting to get steeper angles from smashes and a higher string tension that I'm trying out.
Either ways it got an extent where I can't even pull off a proper clear without hurting my wrist.
So off I went to a recommended Chinese Physician. He fixed my arm, so here's a shoutout to Practitioner Ong.
Consider checking him out if you're hurting. He did me some good.
Either ways it got an extent where I can't even pull off a proper clear without hurting my wrist.
So off I went to a recommended Chinese Physician. He fixed my arm, so here's a shoutout to Practitioner Ong.
Consider checking him out if you're hurting. He did me some good.
Saturday 25 May 2013
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Yonex ArcSaber 11 Taufik Hidayat Limited Edition
Got a chance to give this racket a try during an hour's session that I have with this promising young lad. He's been improving nicely and I'm seeing his tactical awareness grow in addition to his stamina and speed.
All-in-all, I think once he gets a hang of throwing the occasional power play, I'll be in big trouble.
So on the courts today I took the opportunity to put the AS11TH to the test. My wrist was hurting a little from a few vigorous doubles sessions and this won't be a good judge, but I felt like the experience was worth mentioning.
First off, I will go and mention that racket performs admirably when you're looking for control. As characteristic of Yonex's ArcSaber series of rackets, the AS11TH felt good to swing around and to make shots with.
Most of the shots that I attempted sailed smoothly across the net and landed neatly where I had wanted the shuttle to go. This saved me a lot of effort in movement since I could calculate where to run as a result of my shots not wavering off course.
Net play with the ArcSaber 11 TH was remarkable. There was so much control that it became a staple of my games today. I found myself throwing in the fast drop so I could tempt the opponent into starting a tight net shot challenge.
Clears and smashes weren't the name of the game because of the injured wrist, so I won't comment on them here.
But from what I've felt, the Yonex ArcSaber 11 Taufik Hidayat Limited Edition gives me a great sense of confidence in my game.
I will write a full review after the wrist recovers and I'm able to do a more complete analysis.
All-in-all, I think once he gets a hang of throwing the occasional power play, I'll be in big trouble.
So on the courts today I took the opportunity to put the AS11TH to the test. My wrist was hurting a little from a few vigorous doubles sessions and this won't be a good judge, but I felt like the experience was worth mentioning.
First off, I will go and mention that racket performs admirably when you're looking for control. As characteristic of Yonex's ArcSaber series of rackets, the AS11TH felt good to swing around and to make shots with.
Most of the shots that I attempted sailed smoothly across the net and landed neatly where I had wanted the shuttle to go. This saved me a lot of effort in movement since I could calculate where to run as a result of my shots not wavering off course.
Net play with the ArcSaber 11 TH was remarkable. There was so much control that it became a staple of my games today. I found myself throwing in the fast drop so I could tempt the opponent into starting a tight net shot challenge.
Clears and smashes weren't the name of the game because of the injured wrist, so I won't comment on them here.
But from what I've felt, the Yonex ArcSaber 11 Taufik Hidayat Limited Edition gives me a great sense of confidence in my game.
I will write a full review after the wrist recovers and I'm able to do a more complete analysis.
Friday 24 May 2013
Badminton Racket Launch: Yonex ArcSaber 11 Taufik Hidayat Limited Edition
Got my hands on one of these, and I must say it's a nice fulfilling end to the career of a legend. Thank you Taufik!
Friday 17 May 2013
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Gosen Roots Aermet Explosion
I got my hand on one these a few months back with a help for a reader from the blog (thanks mate!). The colors of this racket is amazing, and that is more than enough reason to get a hold of one.
The racket seems very soft at first. I had it strung at 25lbs and the frame sort of misshapen a bit so I had to down the tension to 23lbs with a Yonex BG80 Power.
This significantly lowered the performance of the racket, since I've already started to try my hand at higher tensions. The low tension from the strings doesn't make for much feel in the shots that I'm used to.
But that being said, the Gosen Roots Aermet Explosion is a very fast racket, able to twist and turn at your whim to deliver the shots that you want. The smashes with this racket was surprisingly steep, and the movement through the air is something you'll have to feel for yourself.
The Aermet Explosion is very well made; you can feel it when your shuttle comes into contact with the racket. Every shot will come off well (disclaimer: this will also largely depend on the skill level of the player), and you'll learn to enjoy your game with this racket.
The racket is recommended for stringing at 20-25lbs according to the Gosen Japan website, so I'll give it a try at 25lbs with my Yonex Nanogy 98 and see what happens.
For now, here's a glimpse of the racket.
The racket seems very soft at first. I had it strung at 25lbs and the frame sort of misshapen a bit so I had to down the tension to 23lbs with a Yonex BG80 Power.
This significantly lowered the performance of the racket, since I've already started to try my hand at higher tensions. The low tension from the strings doesn't make for much feel in the shots that I'm used to.
But that being said, the Gosen Roots Aermet Explosion is a very fast racket, able to twist and turn at your whim to deliver the shots that you want. The smashes with this racket was surprisingly steep, and the movement through the air is something you'll have to feel for yourself.
The Aermet Explosion is very well made; you can feel it when your shuttle comes into contact with the racket. Every shot will come off well (disclaimer: this will also largely depend on the skill level of the player), and you'll learn to enjoy your game with this racket.
The racket is recommended for stringing at 20-25lbs according to the Gosen Japan website, so I'll give it a try at 25lbs with my Yonex Nanogy 98 and see what happens.
For now, here's a glimpse of the racket.
Thursday 16 May 2013
Badminton Racket Launch: Victor TK IM3 Limited Edition
This would be a first - a movie tie-in with a sporting brand.
Say hello to the Victor TK IM3. A re-paint of their Thruster K8000. Comes with big bag and a small pouch.
I'm a sucker for limited editions, so this will be worth a look.
Say hello to the Victor TK IM3. A re-paint of their Thruster K8000. Comes with big bag and a small pouch.
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| http://www.victorsport.com |
I'm a sucker for limited editions, so this will be worth a look.
Tuesday 14 May 2013
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Victor Bravesword 10 (2nd Gen)
Finally got a chance to take this baby out for a swing. The Bravesword 10 has been on my wishlist for the longest time, and it felt really good when I got my hands on one.
Right off the Bravesword 10 felt really stiff, but despite that the racket still swings fast and true, cutting through the air with a very satisfying whish.
The Victor racket was tested out in about four game of singles, and it performed quite well. The stiffness of the racket gave the advantages without laying on too much of the weaknesses. Clears were nice and long without too much effort (it is an even balanced racket after all) and the attacking shots were accurate enough to make me happy.
The Bravesword 10 also put up in defense mode. The fast swing speed gives some pretty good blocks and the occasional lift to the back when I called for it. What stood out has to be the power from the racket without the need for a lot of swing, making my shots that much more deceptive.
But the lack of weight in the head eventually showed, and I had to switch for a head heavy racket to make the games less tedious. This is a problem with most even balanced or head light rackets with me, so I won't put it down to the Bravesword 10.
The racket performed admirably, and I think I'll be interested in testing it out some more.
Review soon, I hope.
Right off the Bravesword 10 felt really stiff, but despite that the racket still swings fast and true, cutting through the air with a very satisfying whish.
The Victor racket was tested out in about four game of singles, and it performed quite well. The stiffness of the racket gave the advantages without laying on too much of the weaknesses. Clears were nice and long without too much effort (it is an even balanced racket after all) and the attacking shots were accurate enough to make me happy.
The Bravesword 10 also put up in defense mode. The fast swing speed gives some pretty good blocks and the occasional lift to the back when I called for it. What stood out has to be the power from the racket without the need for a lot of swing, making my shots that much more deceptive.
But the lack of weight in the head eventually showed, and I had to switch for a head heavy racket to make the games less tedious. This is a problem with most even balanced or head light rackets with me, so I won't put it down to the Bravesword 10.
The racket performed admirably, and I think I'll be interested in testing it out some more.
Review soon, I hope.
Sunday 12 May 2013
Badminton Shoes First Look: Mizuno Wave Tornado 8
I like Mizuno shoes. Somehow they've not given me as much problems as the other brands I've tried.
The Li-Ning is sturdy but hard as hell at the tip. The Babolat is thin at the tip and gives me toe problems in prolonged games. And Yonex shoes just don't look good enough to buy anymore.
The Mizuno Wave Tornado 8 joins the Wave Fang VS and Wave Lightning 7 on my rack. It's half a size smaller so I'm guessing I either got the size wrong or this shoe comes in a bigger cut.
Will try it soon, but for now I'll just stare at it in admiration. So pretty.
The Li-Ning is sturdy but hard as hell at the tip. The Babolat is thin at the tip and gives me toe problems in prolonged games. And Yonex shoes just don't look good enough to buy anymore.
The Mizuno Wave Tornado 8 joins the Wave Fang VS and Wave Lightning 7 on my rack. It's half a size smaller so I'm guessing I either got the size wrong or this shoe comes in a bigger cut.
Will try it soon, but for now I'll just stare at it in admiration. So pretty.
Saturday 11 May 2013
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