Official site of USA Badminton Region 3
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Last
Updated:
01/04/2008
Site Launched:
26 Mar 1997
1998 Southern & Pan Am Badminton Classic
(October 1st - 4th, 1998)
By Mike Sanchez
Miami Lakes, Florida
| Smack! Smack! Smack! Smash, was all
that could be heard at Don Shula's Athletic Club in Miami Lakes, FL, where the 1998
Southern & Pan Am Classic was held from October 1st - 4th 1998. Many prominent figures
of the badminton community in the nation such as Howard Bach, Cindy Shi, Kevin Han, and
Andy Chong were at attendance, as well as other players from other nations such as
Guatemala, Peru, and Brazil. The first day preliminary rounds were a foreshadowing of the
great badminton to come! In the Mixed Doubles Finals, it was Andy Chong (USA)/Barbara McKinley (USA) facing Howard Bach (USA)/Cindy Shi (USA). Bach with his potent smash and Shi with her precise drops took the lead early in the first set with a 6-0 lead. Yet the Chong/Mckinley team would not give up. After Bach/Shi lost the serve, Chong/McKinley came back with a force, they tied with the Bach/Shi duo 6-6. The set was won by Bach/Shi with a score of 15-6. Cindy Shi finished off the set with a tight to the net drop on Chong/Mckinley. In the second set, Bach/Shi once again won, but Chong/McKinley put up a battle to the end with a final score of 15-11. In the Mixed Doubles Consolation round Keiron Ng (USA)/ Valerie Fiore (USA) defeated Adam Holleran (USA)/Penelope Salac (USA). The Open Woman's Doubles Finals, was won be Cindy Shi (USA)/ Penelope Salac (USA). In the Men's Doubles Finals, Kevin Han (USA) teamed up with Howard Bach (USA) to challenge Andy Chong (USA)/ Matt Fogarty (USA). Han/Bach struggled at the beginning of the first set , Han's smashes were not very accurate. Chong/Fogarty seeing his troubles took advantage and took a lead of 3-0 without to putting forth very much effort. Yet, Han was able to recover early in the match. Han/Bach won the first set 15-5. The second set took unusually long as Chong/Fogarty charged to the end. Han/Bach prevailed winning 15-12. In the Woman's Singles Finals, was Cindy Shi (USA) versus Ximena Bellido (PERU). Shi with her exemplary drops and breath taking smashes as well as her outstanding court movements defeated Bellido easily. In the first set, Bellido worked hard to keep up with many of Shi's strategically placed drops and smashes. Shi also made clears that appeared to be "out" yet they would always be "in", deceiving Bellido from time to time. The winner for the Woman's Singles Consolation round was Penelope Salac (USA). In the Men's Singles Finals, Kevin Han (USA) confronted Howard Bach, his double's partner for the tournament. Han dominated both sets with a 15-8 victory in the first set and a 15-1 win in the second, making Han the 1998 Southern/Pan Am Classic Men's Singles Champion. The 1998 Southern & Pan Am Classic was truly a showcase of America's best. The skill level shown at this tournament was truly of grand proportions. The tournament was a "success", in all the meanings of the word. |
Pictures
Men's Doubles: 
Women's Doubles: 
Women's Singles: 
Mixed Doubles: 
Photos Courtesy: Sydney Lu-Shing and Phillip Ayoung-Chee
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