BADMINTON HISTORY:

Brief History of Badminton

Go to home page


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The exact origin of the game, tracing back to ancient Greece and China more than 2000 years ago, is shrouded in mystery. It is believed that the game descended directly from the ancient game of battledore and shuttlecock. This was primarily a children's game although 19th century illustrations show adults playing it mostly in the garden and sometimes indoors. Battledore and shuttlecock has been described as a leisurely pastime whereby players count the number of hits and try to keep the shuttlecock up in the air as long as possible.
There is also some dispute about how modern day badminton started. One claim is that it started in England at Badminton House in Gloucestershire in the middle of the 19th century. A net, in the form of a string, was strung across to separate the players from two opposing teams. A rival claim has it that the game was first played by the British in India in the 1870s before it was brought back to Britain by returning army officers. The first attempt to establish the rules of the game was made around that time in Poona, India. But no formal rules were drawn up until the Badminton Association (of England) was formed in 1893.

The International Badminton Federation
The International Badminton Federation (IBF) was formed in 1934. The founder members were England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Holland, Denmark, New Zealand, Canada and France. Today, the IBF has more than 130 member countries from five continental confederations - the African Badminton Federation, the Asian Badminton Confederation, the European Badminton Union, the Oceania Badminton Confederation and the Pan-American Badminton Confederation.

The Thomas Cup
The first tournament was held at the Queen's Hall in Preston in February 1949. The late Sir George Thomas, founder president of the IBF, donated the Thomas Cup trophy . Malaya won the first competition when they defeated Denmark 8-1 in the final. Since then, the Cup has stayed with three Asian countries. Indonesia has won it a record 12 times, followed by Malaysia (five times) and China (four times). Denmark has reached the final on six occasions but has never won it. For the first 12 series until 1982, the Thomas Cup was held once every three years. Since 1984, the competition has been staged every two years. The playing format was also changed from the best of nine matches over two days to best of five over one day.

The Uber Cup
The first Uber Cup competition was held at Lytham St. Annes in Lancashire, Britain, in 1957 following calls to organise an international team championship for women similar to the Thomas Cup. The Uber Cup trophy was donated by Mrs H.S Uber. The United States won the first tournament when they defeated Denmark 6-1 in the final. The Uber Cup was held every three years until 1984. Since 1986, the tournament has been held every two years. Only four countries - the USA, Japan, China and Indonesia - have managed to win the Uber Cup.

International competitions
Badminton's introduction as a model sport at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics served proof of the game's progress and increasing popularity. Four events - the men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles and women's doubles - were held at Barcelona. At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the mixed doubles event was added. The World Junior Championships, now biennial affair, was also inaugurated in 1992 at Jakarta. The World Championships was started much earlier at Malmo in 1977. After the World Championships was subsequently held at Jakarta in 1980 and Copenhagen in 1983, it has also become a biennial affair since 1985 when it was held at Calgary. The World Cup, held every year, was started in 1981 while the present World Grand Prix Circuit - culminating with the World GP Final every year - began in 1983.

THOMAS CUP FINALS Year Winner beat Runner Up Scores Played at
1949 Malay vs Denmark 8-1 Preston
1952 Malaya vs USA 7-2 Singapore
1955 Malaya vs Denmark 8-1 Singapore
1958 Indonesia vs Malaya 6-3 Singapore
1961 Indonesia vs Thailand 6-3 Jakarta
1964 Indonesia vs Denmark 5-4 Tokyo
1967 Malaysia vs Indonesia 6-3 Jakarta
1970 Indonesia vs Malaysia 7-2 Kuala Lumpur
1973 Indonesia vs Denmark 8-1 Jakarta
1976 Indonesia vs Malaysia 9-0 Bangkok
1979 Indonesia vs Denmark 9-0 Jakarta
1982 China vs Indonesia 5-4 London
1984 Indonesia vs China 3-2 Kuala Lumpur
1986 China vs Indonesia 3-2 Jakarta
1988 China vs Malaysia 4-1 Kuala Lumpur
1990 China vs Malaysia 4-1 Tokyo
1992 Malaysia vs Indonesia 3-2 Kuala Lumpur
1994 Indonesia vs Malaysia 3-0 Jakarta
1996 Indonesia vs Denmark 5-0 Hongkong
1998 Indonesia vs Malaysia 3-2 Hongkong
2000 Indonesia vs China 3-0 Kuala Lumpur
2002 Indonesia vs Malaysia 3-2 Guangzhou
2004 China vs Denmark 3-1 Jakarta


UBER CUP FINALS Year Winner beat Runner Up Scores Played at
1957 USA vs Denmark 6-1 St Annes
1960 USA vs Denmark 5-2 Phil
1963 USA vs England 4-3 Wilming
1966 Japan vs USA 5-2 Wellington
1969 Japan vs Indonesia 6-1 Tokyo
1972 Japan vs Indonesia 6-1 Tokyo
1975 Indonesia vs Japan 5-2 Jakarta
1978 Japan vs Indonesia 5-2 Auckland
1981 Japan vs Indonesia 6-3 Tokyo
1984 China vs England 5-0 Kuala Lumpur
1986 China vs Indonesia 3-2 Jakarta
1988 China vs South Korea 5-0 Kuala Lumpur
1990 China vs South Korea 3-2 Tokyo
1992 China vs South Korea 3-2 Kuala Lumpur
1994 Indonesia vs China 3-2 Jakarta
1996 Indonesia vs China 4-1 Hongkong
1998 China vs Indonesia 4-1 Hongkong
2000 China vs Denmark 3-0 Kuala Lumpur
2002 China vs Korea 3-1 Guangzhou
2004 China vs Korea 3-1 Jakarta


OLYMPIC GAMES (Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004) Year Men's Singles Year Women's Singles
Gold Medalists Gold Medalists
1992 Alan Budi Kesuma (Indonesia) 1992 Susi Susanti (Indonesia)
1996 Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen (Denmark) 1996 Bang Soo-hyun (Korea)
2000 Xinpang Ji (China) 2000 Gong Zhichao (China)
2004 Taufik Hidayat (Indonesia 2004 Zhang Ning (China)
Silver Medalists Silver Medalists
1992 Ardy Wiranata (Indonesia) 1992 Bang Soo-hyun (Korea)
1996 Dong Jiong (China) 1996 Mia Audina (Indonesia)
2000 Hendrawan (Indonesia) 2000 Camilla Martin (Denmark)
2004 Shon Seung Mo (Korea) 2004 Mia Audina (Netherland)
Bronze Medalists Bronze Medalists
1992 Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen (Denmark) 1992 Huang Hua (China)
Hermawan Susanto (Indonesia) Tang Jiuhong (China)
1996 Rashid Sidek (Malaysia) 1996 Susi Susanti (Indonesia)
2000 Xuanze Xia (China) 2000 Zhaoying Ye (China)
2004 Soni Dewi Kuncoro (Indonesia) 2004 Zhou Mi (China)
4th Place 4th Place
1996 Heryanto Arbi (Indonesia) 1996 Kim Ji-hyun (Korea)
2000 Peter Gade (Denmark) 2000 Dai Yun (China)
2004 Boonsak Ponsana (Thailand) 2004 Gong Ruina (China)
Men's Doubles Women's Doubles
Gold Medalists Gold Medalists
1992 Park Joo-bong/Kim Moon-soo (Korea) 1992 Hwang Hye-young/Chung So-young (Korea)
1996 Ricky Subagia/Rexy Mainaky (Indonesia) 1996 Ge Fei/Gu Yun (China)
2000 Tony Gunawan / Candra Wijaya (Indonesia) 2000 Ge Fei/Gu Yun (China)
2004 Kim Dong Moon/Ha Tae Kwon (Korea) 2004 Zhang Jie Wien/Yang Wei (China)
Silver Medalists Silver Medalists
1992 Eddy Hartono/Rudy Gunawan (Indonesia) 1992 Guan Weizhen/Nong Qunhua (China)
1996 Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock (Malaysia) 1996 Gil Young-ah/Jang Hye-ock (Korea)
2000 Dong Soo Lee / Yoo Yong Sung (Korea) 2000 Nanyan Huang / Wei Yang (China)
2004 Lee Dong Soo/Yoo Yong Sung (Korea) 2004 Huang Sui/Gao Ling (China)
Bronze Medalists Bronze Medalists
1992 Li Yongbo/Tian Bingyi (China) 1992 Gil Young-ah/Shim Eun-jung (Korea)
Jalani Sidek/Razil Sidek (Malaysia) Lin Yanfen/Yao Fen (China)
1996 Soo Beng Kiang/Tan Kim Her (Malaysia) 1996 Qin Yiyuan/Tang Yongshu (China)
2000 Tae Kwon Ha / Dong Moon Kim (Korea) 2000 Ling Gao / Yiyuan Qin (China)
2004 Eng Hian/Flandi Lempele (Indonesia) 2004 Ra Kyung Min/Lee Kyung Min (Korea)
4th Place 4th Place
1996 Denny Kantono/S. Antonius (Indonesia) 1996 Helene Kirkegaard/Rikke Olsen (Denmark)
2000 Tan Fook Choong / Wan Wah Lee (Malaysia) 2000 Jae Hee Chung / Kyung Min Ra (Korea)
2004 Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard (Denmark) 2004 Zhao Ting Ting/Wei Yi Li (China)
Mixed Doubles Sydney 2000 Olympic, Medals Standings
Gold Medalists Country Gold Silver Bronze Total

1992 No event China 4 1 3 8

1996 Kim Dong-moon/Gil Young-ah (Korea) Indonesia 1 2 0 3

2000 Jun Zhang / Ling Gao (China) Korea 0 1 1 2

2004 Zhang Jun/Gao Ling (China) Denmark 0 1 0 1

Silver Medalists Britain 0 0 1 1

1992 No Event Athens 2004 Olympic, Medals Standings
1996 Park Joo-bong/Ra Kyung-min (Korea) China Gold Silver Bronze Total
3 1 1 5

2000 Tri Kusharyanto / Minarti Timur (Indonesia) Korea 1 2 1 4

2004 Nathan Robertson/Gail Emms (Great Britain) Indonesia 1 . 2 3

Bronze Medalists Netherland . 1 . 1

1992 No Event Great Britain . 1 . 1

1996 Lin Jianjun/Sun Man (China) Denmark . . 1 1

2000 Simon Archer / Joanne Goode (Great Britain)
2004 Jens Eriksen (Denmark)
Mette Schjoldager (Denmark)
4th Place
1992 No Event
1996 Chen Xingdong/Peng Xingyong (China)
2000 Michael Sogaard / Rikke Olsen (Denmark)
2004 Jonas Rasmussen (Denmark)
Rikke Olsen (Denmark)

TABLE TENNIS

Cmpt. Event Location Year Winner Search_By_Results1.asp?From=1926&To=&s_EVENTS=EURC&s_Evnt=S&s_Gender=Male&s_gender2=&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorting=6&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorted=& Runn-Up Search_By_Results1.asp?From=1926&To=&s_EVENTS=EURC&s_Evnt=S&s_Gender=Male&s_gender2=&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorting=8&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorted=&
European Championship S Aarhus 2005 SAMSONOV Vladimir BLR SAIVE Jean-Michel BEL
European Championship S Courmayeur 2003 SAMSONOV Vladimir BLR WOSIK Torben GER
European Championship S Zagreb 2002 BOLL Timo GER KREANGA Kalinikos GRE
European Championship S Bremen 2000 KARLSSON Peter SWE PRIMORAC Zoran HRV
European Championship S Eindhoven 1998 SAMSONOV Vladimir BLR PRIMORAC Zoran HRV
European Championship S Bratislava 1996 WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE PERSSON Jorgen SWE
European Championship S Birmingham 1994 SAIVE Jean-Michel BEL WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE
European Championship S Stuttgart 1992 ROSSKOPF Jorg GER SAIVE Jean-Michel BEL
European Championship S Gothenburg 1990 APPELGREN Mikael SWE GRUBBA Andrzej POL
European Championship S Paris 1988 APPELGREN Mikael SWE MAZUNOV Andrei URS
European Championship S Prague 1986 PERSSON Jorgen SWE KUCHARSKI Leszek POL
European Championship S Moscow 1984 BENGTSSON Ulf SWE GRUBBA Andrzej POL
European Championship S Budapest 1982 APPELGREN Mikael SWE WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE
European Championship S Berne 1980 HILTON John ENG DVORACEK Josef TCH
European Championship S Duisburg 1978 GERGELY Gabor HUN JONYER Istvan HUN
European Championship S Prague 1976 SECRETIN Jacques FRA STROKATOV Anatoli URS
European Championship S Novi Sad 1974 ORLOWSKI Milan TCH GERGELY Gabor HUN
European Championship S Rotterdam 1972 BENGTSSON Stellan 2 SWE JONYER Istvan HUN
European Championship S Moscow 1970 ALSER Hans SWE KORPA Istvan YUG
European Championship S Lyon 1968 SURBEK Dragutin YUG BORZSEI Janos HUN
European Championship S London 1966 JOHANSSON Kjell SWE MIKO Vladimir TCH
European Championship S Malmo 1964 JOHANSSON Kjell SWE BERCZIK Zoltan HUN
European Championship S Berlin 1962 ALSER Hans SWE ARNDT Erich FRG
European Championship S Zagreb 1960 BERCZIK Zoltan HUN NEGULESCU Radu ROU
European Championship S Budapest 1958 BERCZIK Zoltan HUN GYETVAI Elemer

Compt. Location Year Player 1 Partner 1 Search_By_Results1_doubles.asp?From=1926&To=&s_EVENTS=EURC&s_Evnt=D&s_Gender=Male&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorting=6&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorted=& Player 2 Partner 2 Search_By_Results1_doubles.asp?From=1926&To=&s_EVENTS=EURC&s_Evnt=D&s_Gender=Male&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorting=9&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorted=&
European Championship London 1966 ALSER Hans JOHANSSON Kjell SWE MIKO Vladimir STANEK Jaroslav TCH
European Championship Paris 1988 APPELGREN Mikael WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE LUPULESKU Ilija PRIMORAC Zoran USA
European Championship Prague 1976 BENGTSSON Stellan 2 JOHANSSON Kjell SWE KUNZ Jaroslav ORLOWSKI Milan TCH
European Championship Zagreb 1960 BERCZIK Zoltan SIDO Ferenc HUN PASKEVICIUS Rimas SAUNORIS Alguimantas URS
European Championship Berne 1980 BIROCHEAU Patrick SECRETIN Jacques FRA STIPANCIC Anton SURBEK Dragutin YUG
European Championship Zagreb 2002 BOLL Timo FEJER-KONNERTH Zoltan GER BLASZCZYK Lucjan KRZESZEWSKI Tomasz POL
European Championship Courmayeur 2003 CHEN Weixing CHTCHETININE Evgueni AUT MAZUNOV Dmitrij SMIRNOV Alexei RUS
European Championship Bremen 2000 CHILA Patrick GATIEN Jean-Philippe FRA KREANGA Kalinikos LUPULESKU Ilija GRE
European Championship Duisburg 1978 GERGELY Gabor ORLOWSKI Milan HUN LEISS Jochen STELLWAG Peter FRG
European Championship Aarhus 2005 JINDRAK Karl SCHLAGER Werner AUT KREANGA Kalinikos SAMSONOV Vladimir GRE
European Championship Novi Sad 1974 JONYER Istvan KLAMPAR Tibor HUN BENGTSSON Stellan 2 JOHANSSON Kjell SWE
European Championship Rotterdam 1972 JONYER Istvan ROZSAS Peter HUN BENGTSSON Stellan 2 JOHANSSON Kjell SWE
European Championship Birmingham 1994 KALINIC Zoran KREANGA Kalinikos YUG PRIMORAC Zoran SAIVE Jean-Michel HRV
European Championship Budapest 1982 KALINIC Zoran SURBEK Dragutin YUG GERGELY Gabor JONYER Istvan HUN
European Championship Moscow 1984 KALINIC Zoran SURBEK Dragutin YUG LINDH Erik WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE
European Championship Stuttgart 1992 LINDH Erik PERSSON Jorgen SWE APPELGREN Mikael WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE
European Championship Prague 1986 LINDH Erik WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE APPELGREN Mikael CARLSSON Ulf SWE
European Championship Gothenburg 1990 LUPULESKU Ilija PRIMORAC Zoran USA FETZNER Steffen ROSSKOPF Jorg FRG
European Championship Berlin 1962 MARKOVIC Vojislav TERAN Janez YUG KORPA Istvan VECKO Edvard YUG
European Championship Malmo 1964 MIKO Vladimir STANEK Jaroslav TCH ALSER Hans JOHANSSON Kjell SWE
European Championship Bratislava 1996 PERSSON Jorgen WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE BLASZCZYK Lucjan GRUBBA Andrzej POL
European Championship Eindhoven 1998 ROSSKOPF Jorg SAMSONOV Vladimir GER KREANGA Kalinikos LUPULESKU Ilija GRE
European Championship Moscow 1970 STIPANCIC Anton SURBEK Dragutin YUG ALSER Hans JOHANSSON Kjell SWE
European Championship Lyon 1968 STIPANCIC Anton VECKO Edvard YUG ALSER Hans JOHANSSON Kjell SWE
European Championship Budapest 1958 STIPEK Ladislav VYHNANOVSKY Ludvik TCH BOTTNER Otto REITER Toma ROU

Cmpt. Event Location Year Winner Search_By_Results1.asp?From=1926&To=&s_EVENTS=EURC&s_Evnt=S&s_Gender=Female&s_gender2=&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorting=6&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorted=& Runn-Up Search_By_Results1.asp?From=1926&To=&s_EVENTS=EURC&s_Evnt=S&s_Gender=Female&s_gender2=&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorting=8&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorted=&
European Championship S Aarhus 2005 LIU Jia AUT STEFF Mihaela Ioana ROU
European Championship S Courmayeur 2003 BADESCU Otilia ROU TAN MONFARDINI Wenling ITA
European Championship S Zagreb 2002 NI Xialian LUX TOTH Krisztina HUN
European Championship S Bremen 2000 GOTSCH-HE Qianhong GER STEFF Mihaela Ioana ROU
European Championship S Eindhoven 1998 NI Xialian LUX BOROS Tamara HRV
European Championship S Bratislava 1996 STRUSE Nicole GER TOTH Krisztina HUN
European Championship S Birmingham 1994 SVENSSON Marie SWE KEEN Gerdie NED
European Championship S Stuttgart 1992 VRIESEKOOP Bettine NED LOMAS-BELLINGER Lisa ENG
European Championship S Gothenburg 1990 GUERGUELTCHEVA Daniela BUL TU Yong SUI
European Championship S Paris 1988 ABBATE-BULATOVA Fliura ITA BADESCU Otilia ROU
European Championship S Prague 1986 BATORFI Csilla HUN ABBATE-BULATOVA Fliura ITA
European Championship S Moscow 1984 POPOVA Valentina SVK ABBATE-BULATOVA Fliura ITA
European Championship S Budapest 1982 VRIESEKOOP Bettine NED PARKER-HAMMERSLEY-SHIRLEY Jill ENG
European Championship S Berne 1980 POPOVA Valentina SVK PERKUCIN Gordana YUG
European Championship S Duisburg 1978 MAGOS-HAVAS Judit HUN PARKER-HAMMERSLEY-SHIRLEY Jill ENG
European Championship S Prague 1976 PARKER-HAMMERSLEY-SHIRLEY Jill ENG ALEXANDRU-GOLOPENTA Maria ROU
European Championship S Novi Sad 1974 MAGOS-HAVAS Judit HUN HELLMAN Ann-Christin SWE
European Championship S Rotterdam 1972 RUDNOVA Zoja URS KISHAZI Beatrix HUN
European Championship S Moscow 1970 RUDNOVA Zoja URS UHLIKOVA-VOSTOVA Ilona TCH
European Championship S Lyon 1968 UHLIKOVA-VOSTOVA Ilona TCH RUDNOVA Zoja URS
European Championship S London 1966 ALEXANDRU-GOLOPENTA Maria ROU FEDOROVA-GRINBERG Svetlana URS
European Championship S Malmo 1964 FOLDI-KOCZIAN Eva HUN JURIK-HEIRITS Erzsebet HUN
European Championship S Berlin 1962 SIMON-ALMASI Agnes FRG SCHOLER-ROWE Diane FRG
European Championship S Zagreb 1960 FOLDI-KOCZIAN Eva HUN KEREKES-SOLYOM Ilona HUN
European Championship S Budapest 1958 FOLDI-KOCZIAN Eva HUN HAYDON Ann ENG

Cmpt. Event Location Year Winner Search_By_Results1.asp?From=1926&To=&s_EVENTS=WC&s_Evnt=S&s_Gender=Male&s_gender2=&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorting=6&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorted=& Runn-Up Search_By_Results1.asp?From=1926&To=&s_EVENTS=WC&s_Evnt=S&s_Gender=Male&s_gender2=&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorting=8&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorted=&
World Cup S Hangzhou 2004 MA Lin CHN KREANGA Kalinikos GRE
World Cup S Jiangyin 2003 MA Lin CHN KREANGA Kalinikos GRE
World Cup S Jinan 2002 BOLL Timo GER KONG Linghui CHN
World Cup S Courmayeur 2001 SAMSONOV Vladimir BLR WANG Liqin CHN
World Cup S Yangzhou 2000 MA Lin CHN KIM Taek Soo KOR
World Cup S Xiaolan 1999 SAMSONOV Vladimir BLR SCHLAGER Werner AUT
World Cup S Shantou 1998 ROSSKOPF Jorg GER KIM Taek Soo KOR
World Cup S Nimes 1997 PRIMORAC Zoran HRV KONG Linghui CHN
World Cup S Nimes 1996 LIU Guoliang CHN WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE
World Cup S Nimes 1995 KONG Linghui CHN ROSSKOPF Jorg GER
World Cup S Taipei 1994 GATIEN Jean-Philippe FRA SAIVE Jean-Michel BEL
World Cup S Guangzhou 1993 PRIMORAC Zoran HRV WANG Tao CHN
World Cup S Ho Chi Minh City 1992 MA Wenge CHN KIM Taek Soo KOR
World Cup S Kuala Lumpur 1991 PERSSON Jorgen SWE GATIEN Jean-Philippe FRA
World Cup S Chiba City 1990 WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE MA Wenge CHN
World Cup S Nairobi 1989 MA Wenge CHN GRUBBA Andrzej POL
World Cup S Canton & Wuhan 1988 GRUBBA Andrzej POL CHEN Longcan CHN
World Cup S Macao 1987 TENG Yi CHN JIANG Jialiang CHN
World Cup S Port of Spain 1986 CHEN Longcan CHN JIANG Jialiang CHN
World Cup S Foshan 1985 CHEN Xinhua ENG GRUBBA Andrzej POL
World Cup S Kuala Lumpur 1984 JIANG Jialiang CHN KIM Wan KOR
World Cup S Barbados 1983 APPELGREN Mikael SWE WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE
World Cup S Hong Kong 1982 Guo Yuehua/KUO Yao-Hua CHN APPELGREN Mikael SWE
World Cup S Kuala Lumpur 1981 KLAMPAR Tibor HUN XIE Saike CHN
World Cup S Hong Kong 1980 Guo Yuehua/KUO Yao-Hua CHN LI Zhenshi/LI Chen-Shih CHN

Cmpt. Event Location Year Winner Search_By_Results1.asp?From=1926&To=&s_EVENTS=WTTC&s_Evnt=S&s_Gender=Male&s_gender2=&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorting=6&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorted=&Runn-Up Search_By_Results1.asp?From=1926&To=&s_EVENTS=WTTC&s_Evnt=S&s_Gender=Male&s_gender2=&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorting=8&Formv_Winner_Runnup_Sorted=&World Championship S Paris 2003 SCHLAGER Werner AUT JOO Se Hyuk KOR World Championship S Osaka 2001 WANG Liqin CHN KONG Linghui CHN World Championship S Eindhoven 1999 LIU Guoliang CHN MA Lin CHN World Championship S Manchester 1997 WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE SAMSONOV Vladimir BLR World Championship S Tianjin 1995 KONG Linghui CHN LIU Guoliang CHN World Championship S Gothenburg 1993 GATIEN Jean-Philippe FRA SAIVE Jean-Michel BEL World Championship S Chiba City 1991 PERSSON Jorgen SWE WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE World Championship S Dortmund 1989 WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE PERSSON Jorgen SWE World Championship S New Delhi 1987 JIANG Jialiang CHN WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE World Championship S Gothenburg 1985 JIANG Jialiang CHN CHEN Longcan CHN World Championship S Tokyo 1983 Guo Yuehua/KUO Yao-Hua CHN CAI Zhenhua CHN World Championship S Novi Sad 1981 Guo Yuehua/KUO Yao-Hua CHN CAI Zhenhua CHN World Championship S Pyongyang 1979 ONO Seiji JPN Guo Yuehua/KUO Yao-Hua CHN World Championship S Birmingham 1977 KOHNO Mitsuru JPN Guo Yuehua/KUO Yao-Hua CHN World Championship S Calcutta 1975 JONYER Istvan HUN STIPANCIC Anton YUG World Championship S Sarajevo 1973 XI Enting/HSI En-Ting CHN JOHANSSON Kjell SWE World Championship S Nagoya 1971 BENGTSSON Stellan 2 SWE ITOH Shigeo JPN World Championship S Munich 1969 ITOH Shigeo JPN SCHOLER Eberhard FRG World Championship S Stockholm 1967 HASEGAWA Nobuhiko JPN KOHNO Mitsuru JPN World Championship S Ljubljana 1965 ZHUANG Zedong/CHUANG Tse-Tung CHN LI Furong/LI Fu-Jung CHN World Championship S Prague 1963 ZHUANG Zedong/CHUANG Tse-Tung CHN LI Furong/LI Fu-Jung CHN World Championship S Beijing 1961 ZHUANG Zedong/CHUANG Tse-Tung CHN LI Furong/LI Fu-Jung CHN World Championship S Dortmund 1959 RONG Guotuan/JUNG Kuo-Tuan CHN SIDO Ferenc HUN World Championship S Stockhom 1957 TANAKA Toshiaki JPN OGIMURA Ichiro JPN World Championship S Tokyo 1956 OGIMURA Ichiro JPN TANAKA Toshiaki JPN World Championship S Utrecht 1955 TANAKA Toshiaki JPN DOLINAR Zarko YUG World Championship S Wembley 1954 OGIMURA Ichiro JPN FLISBERG Tage SWE World Championship S Bucharest 1953 SIDO Ferenc HUN ANDREADIS Ivan TCH World Championship S Bombay 1952 SATOH Hiroji JPN KOCZIAN Jozsef SWE World Championship S Vienna 1951 LEACH Johnny ENG ANDREADIS Ivan TCH World Championship S Budapest 1950 BERGMANN Richard ENG SOOS Ferenc HUN World Championship S Stockholm 1949 LEACH Johnny ENG VANA Bohumil TCH World Championship S Wembley 1948 BERGMANN Richard ENG VANA Bohumil TCH World Championship S Paris 1947 VANA Bohumil TCH SIDO Ferenc HUN World Championship S Cairo 1939 BERGMANN Richard ENG EHRLICH Aloizy FRA World Championship S Wembley 1938 VANA Bohumil TCH BERGMANN Richard ENG World Championship S Baden 1937 BERGMANN Richard ENG EHRLICH Aloizy FRA World Championship S Prague 1936 KOLAR Stanislav TCH EHRLICH Aloizy FRA World Championship S Wembley 1935 BARNA Victor ENG SZABADOS Miklos HUN World Championship S Paris 1934 BARNA Victor ENG BELLAK Laszlo HUN World Championship S Baden 1933 BARNA Victor ENG KOLAR Stanislav TCH World Championship S Prague 1932 BARNA Victor ENG SZABADOS Miklos HUN World Championship S Budapest 1931 SZABADOS Miklos HUN BARNA Victor ENG World Championship S Berlin 1930 BARNA Victor ENG BELLAK Laszlo HUN World Championship S Budapest 1929 PERRY Fred ENG SZABADOS Miklos HUN World Championship S Stockholm 1928 MECHLOVITS Zoltan HUN BELLAK Laszlo HUN World Championship S London 1926 JACOBI Roland HUN MECHLOVITS Zoltan HUN
World Championship Stockholm 1967 ALSER Hans JOHANSSON Kjell SWE AMELIN Anatoly GOMOZKOV Stanislav URS World Championship Munich 1969 ALSER Hans JOHANSSON Kjell SWE HASEGAWA Nobuhiko TASAKA Tokio JPN World Championship Utrecht 1955 ANDREADIS Ivan STIPEK Ladislav TCH DOLINAR Zarko HARANGOZO Vilim YUG World Championship Stockhom 1957 ANDREADIS Ivan STIPEK Ladislav TCH OGIMURA Ichiro TANAKA Toshiaki JPN World Championship Stockholm 1949 ANDREADIS Ivan TOKAR Frantisek TCH STIPEK Ladislav VANA Bohumil TCH World Championship Vienna 1951 ANDREADIS Ivan VANA Bohumil TCH KOCZIAN Jozsef SIDO Ferenc SWE World Championship Gothenburg 1985 APPELGREN Mikael CARLSSON Ulf SWE ORLOWSKI Milan PANSKY Jindrich TCH World Championship Cairo 1939 BARNA Victor BERGMANN Richard ENG HAMR Miloslav TARTAKOWER Josef TCH World Championship Baden 1933 BARNA Victor GLANCZ Sandor ENG DAVID Lajos Leopold KELEN Istvan HUN World Championship Budapest 1929 BARNA Victor SZABADOS Miklos ENG BELLAK Laszlo GLANCZ Sandor HUN World Championship Prague 1932 BARNA Victor SZABADOS Miklos ENG BELLAK Laszlo GLANCZ Sandor HUN World Championship Budapest 1931 BARNA Victor SZABADOS Miklos ENG DAVID Lajos Leopold KELEN Istvan HUN World Championship Paris 1934 BARNA Victor SZABADOS Miklos ENG GLANCZ Sandor HAZI Tibor HUN World Championship Wembley 1935 BARNA Victor SZABADOS Miklos ENG HAYDON Adrian LIEBSTER Alfred ENG World Championship Berlin 1930 BARNA Victor SZABADOS Miklos ENG LIEBSTER Alfred THUM Robert AUT World Championship Sarajevo 1973 BENGTSSON Stellan 2 JOHANSSON Kjell SWE JONYER Istvan KLAMPAR Tibor HUN World Championship Baden 1937 BLATTNER Robert Mc CLURE James USA BERGMANN Richard GOEBEL Helmut ENG World Championship Prague 1936 BLATTNER Robert Mc CLURE James USA KOLAR Stanislav PETRICEK J. Okter TCH World Championship Novi Sad 1981 CAI Zhenhua LI Zhenshi/LI Chen-Shih CHN Guo Yuehua/KUO Yao-Hua XIE Saike CHN World Championship Prague 1963 ZHANG Xielin/CHANG Shih-Lin WANG Zhiliang/WANG Chih-Liang CHN ZHUANG Zedong/CHUANG Tse-Tung XU Yinsheng/HSU Yin-Sheng CHN World Championship New Delhi 1987 CHEN Longcan ISEKI Seiko/WEI Qingguang CHN LUPULESKU Ilija PRIMORAC Zoran USA World Championship Ljubljana 1965 ZHUANG Zedong/CHUANG Tse-Tung XU Yinsheng/HSU Yin-Sheng CHN ZHANG Xielin/CHANG Shih-Lin WANG Zhiliang/WANG Chih-Liang CHN World Championship Wembley 1954 DOLINAR Zarko HARANGOZO Vilim YUG BARNA Victor HAGUENAUER Michel ENG World Championship Dortmund 1989 FETZNER Steffen ROSSKOPF Jorg FRG KALINIC Zoran KUCHARSKI Leszek YUG World Championship Bombay 1952 FUJII Norikazu HAYASHI Tadaki JPN BERGMANN Richard LEACH Johnny ENG World Championship Calcutta 1975 GERGELY Gabor JONYER Istvan HUN STIPANCIC Anton SURBEK Dragutin YUG World Championship Beijing 1961 HOSHINO Nobuya KIMURA Koji JPN BERCZIK Zoltan SIDO Ferenc HUN World Championship London 1926 JACOBI Roland PECSI Daniel HUN MECHLOVITS Zoltan VON KEHRLING Bela HUN World Championship Nagoya 1971 JONYER Istvan KLAMPAR Tibor HUN ZHUANG Zedong/CHUANG Tse-Tung LIANG Geliang/LIANG Ko-Liang CHN World Championship Tokyo 1983 KALINIC Zoran SURBEK Dragutin YUG JIANG Jialiang XIE Saike CHN World Championship Chiba City 1991 KARLSSON Peter VON SCHEELE Thomas SWE LU Lin WANG Tao CHN World Championship Bucharest 1953 KOCZIAN Jozsef SIDO Ferenc SWE BERGMANN Richard LEACH Johnny ENG World Championship Manchester 1997 KONG Linghui LIU Guoliang CHN PERSSON Jorgen WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE World Championship Eindhoven 1999 KONG Linghui LIU Guoliang CHN WANG Liqin YAN Sen CHN World Championship Birmingham 1977 LI Zhenshi/LI Chen-Shih LIANG Geliang/LIANG Ko-Liang CHN Huang Liang LU Yuansheng/LU Yuan-Sheng CHN World Championship Stockholm 1928 LIEBSTER Alfred THUM Robert AUT BULL Charles PERRY Fred ENG World Championship Gothenburg 1993 LU Lin WANG Tao CHN MA Wenge ZHANG Lei CHN World Championship Tianjin 1995 LU Lin WANG Tao CHN PRIMORAC Zoran SAMSONOV Vladimir HRV World Championship Wembley 1938 Mc CLURE James SCHIFF Sol USA BARNA Victor BELLAK Laszlo ENG World Championship Dortmund 1959 MURAKAMI Teruo OGIMURA Ichiro JPN STIPEK Ladislav VYHNANOVSKY Ludvik TCH World Championship Tokyo 1956 OGIMURA Ichiro TOMITA Yoshio JPN ANDREADIS Ivan STIPEK Ladislav TCH World Championship Budapest 1950 SIDO Ferenc SOOS Ferenc HUN ANDREADIS Ivan TOKAR Frantisek TCH World Championship Paris 1947 SLAR Adolf VANA Bohumil TCH CARRINGTON Jack LEACH Johnny ENG World Championship Pyongyang 1979 STIPANCIC Anton SURBEK Dragutin YUG JONYER Istvan KLAMPAR Tibor HUN World Championship Wembley 1948 STIPEK Ladislav VANA Bohumil TCH HAYDON Adrian SOOS Ferenc ENG World Championship Osaka 2001 WANG Liqin YAN Sen CHN KONG Linghui LIU Guoliang CHN World Championship Paris 2003 WANG Liqin YAN Sen CHN KONG Linghui WANG Hao 2 CHN
Olympic Games S Athens 2004 RYU Seung Min KOR WANG Hao 2 CHN Olympic Games S Sydney 2000 KONG Linghui CHN WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE Olympic Games S Atlanta 1996 LIU Guoliang CHN WANG Tao CHN Olympic Games S Barcelona 1992 WALDNER Jan-Ove SWE GATIEN Jean-Philippe FRA Olympic Games S Seoul 1988 YOO Nam Kyu KOR KIM Ki Taek KOR

EPL 2005 SEASON FINAL STANDINGS.

English Premiership table

LONDON, May 15 (AFP) - English Premiership table after Sunday's matches,
the final day of the 2004-05 season (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals
against, points):

Chelsea 38 29 8 1 72 15 95
Arsenal 38 25 8 5 87 36 83
Man Utd 38 22 11 5 58 26 77
Everton 38 18 7 13 45 46 61
Liverpool 38 17 7 14 52 41 58
Bolton 38 16 10 12 49 44 58
Middlesbrough 38 14 13 11 53 46 55
Man City 38 13 13 12 47 39 52
Tottenham 38 14 10 14 47 41 52
Aston Villa 38 12 11 15 45 52 47
Charlton 38 12 10 16 42 58 46
Birmingham 38 11 12 15 40 46 45
Fulham 38 12 8 18 52 60 44
Newcastle 38 10 14 14 47 57 44
Blackburn 38 9 15 14 32 43 42
Portsmouth 38 10 9 19 43 59 39
West Brom 38 6 16 16 36 61 34
Crystal Palace 38 7 12 19 41 62 33
Norwich 38 7 12 19 42 77 33
Southampton 38 6 14 18 45 66 32

Champions: Chelsea
Qualified for Champions League: Arsenal, Man Utd and Everton
Qualified for UEFA Cup: Bolton and Middlesbrough
Relegated: Crystal Palace, Norwich and Southampton
afp05

Badminton-World Badminton Championships

Malmo 1977
Jakarta 1980
Copenhagen 1983
Calgary 1985
Beijing 1987
Jakarta 1989
Copenhagen 1991
Birmingham 1993
Lausanne 1995
Glasgow 1997
Copenhagen 1999
Seville 2001



MALMO 1977

MEN'S SINGLES
Flemming Delfs (DEN) beat Sven Pri (DEN) : 15-5, 15-6

LADIES' SINGLES
Lene Koppen (DEN) beat Gillian Gilks (ENG) : 12-9, 12-11

MEN'S DOUBLES
Tjun Tjun/Johan Wahjudi (INA) beat Ade Chandra/Christian Hadinata (INA) 15-6, 15-4

LADIES' DOUBLES
Etsuko Toganoo/Erniko Ueno (JPN) beat van Beusekom/Ridder (NED) : 15-10, 15-11

MIXED DOUBLES
Steen Skovgaard/Lene Koppen (DEN) beat Derek Talbot/Gillian Gilks (ENG) : 15-12, 18-17



JAKARTA 1980

MEN'S SINGLES
Rudy Hartono (INA) beat Liem Swie King (INA) : 15-9, 15-9

LADIES' SINGLES
Verawaty Wiharjo (INA) beat Ivana (INA) : 11-1, 11-3

MEN'S DOUBLES
Ade Chandra/Christian Hadinata (INA) beat Kartono/Heryanto (INA) : 5-15, 15-5, 15-7

LADIES' DOUBLES
Nora Perry/Jane Webster (ENG) beat Imelda Wiguno/Verawaty (INA) : 15-12, 15-9

MIXED DOUBLES
Christian Hadinata/Imelda Wiguno beat Mike Tredgett/Nora Perry (ENG) : 15-12, 15-4



COPENHAGEN 1983

MEN'S SINGLES
Icuk Sugiarto (INA) beat Liem Swie King (INA) : 15-8, 12-15, 17-16

LADIES' SINGLES
Li Lingwei (CHN) beat Han Aiping (CHN) : 11-8, 6-11, 11-7

MEN'S DOUBLES
Steen Fladberg/Jasper Helledie (DEN) beat Mike Tredgett/Martin Dew (ENG) : 15-10, 15-10

LADIES' DOUBLES
Lin Ying/Wu Dixi (CHN) beat Nora Perry/Jane Webster (ENG) : 15-4, 15-12

MIXED DOUBLES
Thomas Kihlström/Nora Perry (SWE/ENG) beat Steen Fladberg/Pia Nielsen (DEN) : 15-1, 15-11



CALGARY 1985

MEN'S SINGLES
Han Jian (CHN) beat Morten Frost (DEN) : 14-18, 15-10, 15-8

LADIES' SINGLES
Han Aiping (CHN) beat Wu Jianqin (CHN) : 6-11, 12-11, 11-2

MEN'S DOUBLES
Park Joo Bong/Kim Moon Soo (KOR) beat Li Yongbo/Tian Bingyi (CHN) : 5-15, 15-7, 15-9

LADIES' DOUBLES
Han Aiping/Li Lingwei (CHN) beat Lin Ying/Wu Dixi (CHN) : 15-9, 14-18, 15-9

MIXED DOUBLES
Park Joo Bong/Yoo Sang Hee (KOR) beat Stefan Karlsson/Maria Bengtsson (SWE) : 15-10, 12-15, 15-12



BEIJING 1987

MEN'S SINGLES
Yang Yang (CHN) beat Morten Frost (DEN) : 15-2, 13-15, 15-12

LADIES' SINGLES
Han Aiping (CHN) beat Li Lingwei (CHN) : 10-12, 11-4, 11-7

MEN'S DOUBLES
Li Yongbo/Tian Bingyi (CHN) beat Jalani Sidek/Razif Sidek (MAS) : 15-2, 8-15, 15-9

LADIES' DOUBLES
Lin Ying/Guan Weizhen (CHN) beat Han Aiping/Li Lingwei (CHN) : 15-7, 15-8

MIXED DOUBLES
Wang Pengren/Shi Fangjing (CHN) beat Lee Deuk Choon/Chung Myung Hee (KOR) : 15-8, 15-7



JAKARTA 1989

MEN'S SINGLES
Yang Yang (CHN) beat Ardy Wiranata (INA) : 15-10, 2-15, 15-5

LADIES' SINGLES
Li Lingwei (CHN) beat Hwang Hua (CHN) : 11-6, 12-9

MEN'S DOUBLES
Li Yongbo/Tian Bingyi (CHN) beat Chen Kang/Chen Hongyong (CHN) : 15-3, 15-12

LADIES' DOUBLES
Lin Ying/Guan Weizhen (CHN) beat Chung Myung Hee/Hwang Hye Young (KOR) : 15-1, 15-7

MIXED DOUBLES
Park Joo Bong/Chung Myung Hee (KOR) beat Eddy Hartono/Verawaty Fajrin (INA) : 15-9, 15-9



COPENHAGEN 1991

MEN'S SINGLES
Zhao Jianhua (CHN) beat Allan Budi Kusuma (INA) : 18-13, 15-4

LADIES' SINGLES
Tang Jiuhong (CHN) beat Sarwendah Kusumawardhani (INA) : 11-6, 11-1

MEN'S DOUBLES
Park Joo Bong/Kim Moon Soo (KOR) beat Jon Holst-Christensen/Thomas Lund (DEN): 15-4, 15-6

LADIES' DOUBLES
Guan Weizhen/Nong Qunhua (CHN) beat Christine Magnusson/Maria Bengtsson (SWE) : 15-7, 15-4

MIXED DOUBLES
Park Joo Bong/Chung Myung Hee (KOR) beat Thomas Lund/Pernille Dupont (DEN): 15-5, 15-17, 15-9



BIRMINGHAM 1993

MEN'S SINGLES
Joko Suprianto (INA) beat Hermawan Susanto (INA) : 15-5, 15-11

LADIES' SINGLES
Susi Susanti (INA) beat Bang Soo Hyun (KOR) : 7-11, 11-9, 11-3

MEN'S DOUBLES
Ricky Subagja/Rudy Gunawan (INA) beat Cheah Soon Kit/Soo Beng Kiang (MAS) : 15-11, 15-3

LADIES' DOUBLES
Nong Qunhua/Zhou Lei (CHN) beat Chen Ying/Wu Yuhong (CHN) : 15-5, 15-10

MIXED DOUBLES
Thomas Lund/Catrine Bengtsson (DEN/SWE) beat Jon Holst-Christensen/Grete Mogensen (DEN) : 10-15, 15-6, 15-12



LAUSANNE 1995

MEN'S SINGLES
Heryanto Arbi (INA) beat Park Sung Woo (KOR) 15-11, 15-8

LADIES' SINGLES
Ye Zhaoying (CHN) beat Han Jingna (CHN) 11-7, 11-0

MEN'S DOUBLES
Rexy Mainaky/Ricky Subagja (INA) beat Jon Holst Christensen/Thomas Lund (DEN) 15-5, 15-2

LADIES' DOUBLES
Gil Young Ah/Jang Hye Ock (KOR) beat Finarsih/Lili Tampi (INA) 3-15, 15-11, 15-10

MIXED DOUBLES
Thomas Lund/Marlene Thomsen (DEN) beat Jens Eriksen/Helene Kirkegaard (DEN) 15-2, 15-6



GLASGOW 1997

MEN'S SINGLES
Semi-Finals - Peter Rasmussen (DEN) beat Arbi Heryanto (INA) : 9-15, 15-9, 15-2
Sun Jun (CHN) beat Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen (DEN) : 15-7, 14-17, 15-9
Final - Peter Rasmussen (DEN) beat Sun Jun (CHN) : 16-17, 18-13, 15-10

LADIES' SINGLES
Semi-Finals - Ye Zhaoying (CHN) beat Wang Chen (CHN) : 11-5, 5-11, 11-4
Gong Zhichao (CHN) beat Han Jingna (CHN) : 12-11, 11-9
Final - Ye Zhaoying (CHN) beat Gong Zhichao (CHN) : 12-11, 11-8

MEN'S DOUBLES
Semi-Finals - Candra Wijaya/Budiarto Sigit (INA) beat Lee Dong Soo/Yoo Yong Sung (KOR) : 15-11, 15-11
Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock (MAL) beat Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky (INA) : 15-9, 2-15, 15-12
Final - Candra Wijaya/Budiarto Sigit (INA) beat Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock (MAL) : 8-15, 18-17, 15-7

LADIES' DOUBLES
Semi-Finals - Ge Fei/Gu Jun (CHN) beat Qiang Hong/Liu Lu (CHN) : 15-3, 15-3
Qin Yiyuan/Tang Yongshu (CHN) beat Eliza/Rosiana Zelin (INA) : 11-15, 15-11, 15-9
Final - Ge Fei/Gu Jun (CHN) beat Qin Yiyuan/Tang Yongshu (CHN) : 15-1, 15-8

MIXED DOUBLES
Semi-Finals - Jens Eriksen/Marlene Thomsen (DEN) beat Trikus Heryanto/Minarti Timur (INA) : 8-15, 15-13, 17-15
Liu Yong/Ge Fei (CHN) beat Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen (DEN) : 15-10, 15-9
Final - Liu/Yong/Ge Fei (CHN) beat Jens Eriksen/Marlene Thomsen (DEN) : 15-5, 16-17, 15-4



COPENHAGEN 1999

MEN'S SINGLES
Semi-Finals - Fung Permadi (TPE) beat Peter Gade Christensen(DEN) : 15-11, 1-15, 15-14
Sun Jun (CHN) beat Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen (DEN) : 15-4, 15-6
Final - Sun Jun (CHN) beat Fung Permadi (TP) : 15-6, 15-13

LADIES' SINGLES
Semi-Finals - Dai Yun (CHN) beat Mette Sorensen (DEN) : 11-8, 13-12
Camilla Martin (DEN) beat Ruina Gong (CHN) : 6-11, 11-9, 11-3
Final - Camilla Martin (DEN) beat Dai Yun (CHN) : 11-6, 6-11, 11-10

MEN'S DOUBLES
Semi-Finals - Ha Tae Kwon/Kim Dong Moon (KOR) beat Zhang Wei/Zhang Jun (CHN) : 15-6, 17-5
Lee Dong Soo/Yoo Yong Sung (KOR) beat Simon Archer/Nathan Robertson (ENG) : 15-11, 15-8
Final - Ha Tae Kwon/Kim Dong Moon (KOR) bt Lee Dong Soo/Yoo Yong Sung (KOR) : 15-5, 15-5

LADIES' DOUBLES
Semi-Finals - Ge Fei/Gu Jun (CHN) beat QinYiyuan/Gao Ling (CHN): 15-6, 15-7
Ra Kyung Min/Chung Jae Hee (KOR) beat Ann Jorgensen/Majken Vange (DEN) : 15-10, 7-15, 15-10
Final - Ge Fei/Gu Jun (CHN) beat Ra Kyung Min/Chung Jae Hee (KOR) : 15-4, 15-5

MIXED DOUBLES
Semi-Finals - Kim Dong Moon/Ra Kyung Min (KOR) beat Liu Yong/Ge Fei (CHN) : 15-7, 7-15, 15-8
Simon Archer/Joanne Goode (ENG) beat Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen (DEN) : 15-5, 15-9
Final - Kim Dong Moon/Ra Kyung Min (KOR) bt Simon Archer/Joanne Goode (ENG) : 15-10, 15-13



SEVILLE 2001

MEN'S SINGLES
Semi-Finals - Hendrawan (INA) beat Taufik Hidayat (INA): 11/15, 15/5, 1/7 rtd.
Peter Gade (DEN) beat Chen Hong (CHN): 17/14, 15/2
Final - Hendrawan (INA) beat Peter Gade (DEN): 15/6, 17/16

LADIES' SINGLES
Semi-Finals - Gong Ruina (CHN) beat Gong Zhichao (CHN): 13/10, 11/4
Zhou Mi (CHN) beat Zhang Ning (CHN): 11/5, 11/9
Final - Gong Ruina (CHN) beat Zhou Mi (CHN): 11/9, 11/4

MEN'S DOUBLES
Semi-Finals - Tony Gunawan/Halim Haryanto (INA) beat Chew Choon Eng/Chan Chong Ming (MAS): 12/15, 15/5, 15/13
Ha Tae Kwon/Kim Dong Moon (KOR) beat Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah (MAS): 15/7, 9/15, 15/10
Final - Tony Gunawan/Halim Haryanto (INA) beat Ha Tae Kwon/Kim Dong Moon (KOR): 15/0, 15/13

LADIES' DOUBLES
Semi-Finals - Zhang Jiewen/Wei Yili (CHN) beat Ra Kyung Min/Lee Kyung Won (KOR): 15/11, 15/3
Gao Ling/Huang Sui (CHN) beat Chen Lin/Jiang Xuelian (CHN): w/o
Final - Gao Ling/Huang Sui (CHN) beat Zhang Jiewen/Wei Yili (CHN): 15/11, 17/15

MIXED DOUBLES
Semi-Finals - Kim Dong Moon/Ra Kyung Min (KOR) beat Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen (DEN): 15/7, 15/9
Zhang Jun/Gao Ling (CHN) beat Jens Eriksen/Mette Schjoldager (DEN): 15/2, 15/12
Final - Zhang Jun/Gao Ling (CHN) beat Kim Dong Moon/Ra Kyung Min (KOR): 15/10, 12/15, 17/16

Badminton-World Grand Prix Finals.

JAKARTA 1983

MEN'S SINGLES
Luan Jin (CHN) beat Morten Frost (DEN) : 15-2, 15-6

LADIES' SINGLES
Li Lingwei (CHN) beat Han Aiping (CHN) : 11-0, 4-11, 11-4



KUALA LUMPUR 1984

MEN'S SINGLES
Morten Frost (DEN) beat Liem Swie King (INA) : 15-5, 15-4

LADIES' SINGLES
Han Aiping (CHN) beat Ivana Lie (IND) : 11-3, 11-2



TOKYO 1985

MEN'S SINGLES
Han Jian (CHN) beat Sze Yu (AUS) : 15-6, 15-3

LADIES' SINGLES
Li Lingwei (CHN) beat Han Aiping (CHN) : 11-3, 11-3



KUALA LUMPUR 1986

MEN'S SINGLES
Yang Yang (CHN) beat Morten Frost (DEN) : 18-13, 15-8

LADIES' SINGLES
Li Lingwei (CHN) beat Han Aiping (CHN) : 11-5, 11-3

MEN'S DOUBLES
Jalani Sidek/Razif Sidek (MAS) beat Hadibowo/Hartono (INA) : 10-15, 15-5, 18-13

LADIES' DOUBLES
Hwang Hye Young/Chung Myung Hee (KOR) beat Verawaty Fajirin/Ivana (INA) : 15-10, 15-6

MIXED DOUBLES
Nigel Tier/Gillian Gowers (ENG) beat Thomas Kihlström/Christine Magnusson (SWE) : 8-15, 15-4, 15-8



HONG KONG 1987

MEN'S SINGLES
Ziong Guobao (CHN) beat Eddy Kurniawan (INA) : 15-2, 18-14

LADIES' SINGLES
Li Lingwei (CHN) beat Han Aiping (CHN) : 11-8, 11-5

MEN'S DOUBLES
Li Yongbo/Tian Bingyi (CHN) beat Zhang Qiang/Zhou Jincau (CHN) : 15-9, 15-4

LADIES' DOUBLES
Guan Weizhen/Lin Ying (CHN) beat Hwang Hye Young/Chung Myung Hee (KOR) : 15-6, 13-15, 15-4

MIXED DOUBLES
Stefan Karlsson/Maria Bengtsson (SWE) beat Billy Gilliland/Gillian Gowers (SCO/ENG) : 15:8, 18:15



HONG KONG 1988

MEN'S SINGLES
Zhang Qingwu (CHN) beat Xiong Guobao (CHN) : 15:10, 4-15, 15-8

LADIES' SINGLES
Han Aiping (CHN) beat Lee Young Suk (KOR) : 11-1, 11-5

MEN'S DOUBLES
Jalani Sidek/Razif Sidek (MAS) beat Eddy Hartono/Rudy Gunawan (INA) : 10-15, 15-6, 15-8

LADIES' DOUBLES
Guan Weizhen/Liu Ying (CHN) beat Hwang Hye Young/Chung Myung Hee (KOR) : 15-4, 15-9

MIXED DOUBLES
Wang Pengren/Shi Fangjung (CHN) beat Andy Goode/Gillian Gowers (ENG) : 15-6, 15-6



SINGAPORE 1989

MEN'S SINGLES
Xiong Guobao (CHN) beat Foo Kok Keong (MAS) : 15-11, 15-7

LADIES' SINGLES
Tang Jiuhong (CHN) beat Han Aiping (CHN) : 12-11, 12-10

MEN'S DOUBLES
Jalani Sidek/Razif Sidek (MAS) beat Li Yongbo/Tian Bingyi (CHN) : 15-9, 15-5

LADIES' DOUBLES
Rosiana Tendean/Erma Sulustianingsih (INA) beat Dorte Kjaer/Nette Nielsen (DEN) : 11-15, 18-16, 18-16

MIXED DOUBLES
Eddy Hartono/Verawaty (INA) beat Thomas Lund/Pernille Dupont (DEN) : 12-15, 15-7, 15-6



BALI 1990

MEN'S SINGLES
Eddy Kurniawan (INA) beat Rashid Sidek (MAS) : 18-13, 9-15, 15-2

LADIES' SINGLES
Susi Susanti (INA) beat Tang Jiuhong (CHN) : 8-11, 11-5, 12-10

MEN'S DOUBLES
Eddy Hartono/Rudy Gunawan (INA) beat Cheah Soon Kit/Soo Beng Kiang (MAS) : 15-6, 15-8

LADIES' DOUBLES
Rosiana Tendean/Erma Sulustianingsih (INA) beat Lai Caiqin/Yao Fen (CHN) : 18-14, 15-10

MIXED DOUBLES
Thomas Lund/Pernille Dupont (DEN) beat Jon Holst-Christensen/Grete Mogensen (DEN) : 12-15, 15-9, 15-8



KUALA LUMPUR 1991

MEN'S SINGLES
Zhao Jianhua (CHN) beat Wu Wenkai (CHN) : 15-4, 12-15, 15-12

LADIES' SINGLES
Susi Susanti (INA) beat Lee Heung Soon (KOR) : 11-8, 11-1

MEN'S DOUBLES
Jalani Sidek/Razif Sidek (MAS) beat Zheng Yumin/Hwang Zhanzhong (CHN) : 15-10, 12-15, 18-14

LADIES' DOUBLES
Hwang Hye Young/Chung Myung Hee (KOR) beat Rosiana Tendean/Erma Sulustianingsih (INA) : 18-15, 15-3

MIXED DOUBLES
Thomas Lund/Pernille Dupont (DEN) beat Shou Jin Huan/Gil Young Ah (KOR) : 11-15, 15-7, 15-9



KUALA LUMPUR 1992

MEN'S SINGLES
Rashid Sidek (MAS) beat Allan Budi Kusuma (INA) : 15-9, 5-15, 15-7

LADIES' SINGLES
Susi Susanti (INA) beat Sarwendah (INA) : 9-11, 11-3, 11-4

MEN'S DOUBLES
Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky (INA) beat Cheah Soon Kit/Soo Beng Kiang (MAS) : 15-11, 15-6

LADIES' DOUBLES
Lin Yanfen/Yao Fen (CHN) beat Gill Clark/Gillian Gowers (ENG) : 15-7, 17-16

MIXED DOUBLES
Thomas Lund/Pernille Dupont (DEN) beat Jon Holst-Christensen/Grete Mogensen (DEN) : 15-5, 15-2



KUALA LUMPUR 1993

MEN'S SINGLES
Joko Suprianto (INA) beat Heryanto Arbi (INA) : 11-15, 15-2, 15-1

LADIES' SINGLES
Susi Susanti (INA) beat Ye Zhaoying (CHN) : 11-3, 12-9

MEN'S DOUBLES
Rudy Gunawan/Bambang Suprianto (INA) beat Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky (INA) : 11-15, 15-10, 15-9

LADIES' DOUBLES
Finarsih/Lili Tampi (INA) beat Eliza/Rosiana Tendean (INA) : 15-11, 15-10

MIXED DOUBLES
Thomas Lund/Catrine Bengtsson (DEN/SWE) beat Nick Ponting/Gill Clark (ENG) 15-9, 15-7



BANGKOK 1994

MEN'S SINGLES
Ardy Wiranata (INA) beat Allan Budi Kusuma (INA) : 9-15, 15-7, 15-5

LADIES' SINGLES
Susi Susanti (INA) beat Ye Zhaoying (CHN) : 4-11, 12-10, 11-4

MEN'S DOUBLES
Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky (INA) beat Rudy Gunawan/Bambang Suprianto (INA) : 15-10, 15-7

LADIES' DOUBLES
Ge Fei/Gu Jun (CHN) beat Finarsih/Lili Tampi (INA) : 13-15, 15-8, 15-7

MIXED DOUBLES
Thomas Lund/Marlene Thomsen beat Jan-Eric Antonsson/Astrid Crabo (SWE) : 15-4, 15-9



SINGAPORE 1995

MEN'S SINGLES
Joko Suprianto (INA) beat Ardy B Wiranata (INA) : 15-3, 6-15, 15-6

LADIES' SINGLES
Ye Zhaoying (CHN) beat Lim Xiaoqing (SWE) : 12-10, 8-11, 11-8

MEN'S DOUBLES
Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock (MAL) beat Rudy Gunawan/Bambang Suprianto (INA) : 13-18, 15-2. 15-12

LADIES' DOUBLES
Ge Fei/Gu Jun (CHN) beat Gil Young Ah/Jang Hye Ock (KOR) : 15-7, 15-12

MIXED DOUBLES
Trikus Heryanto/Minarti Timur (INA) beat Simon Archer/Julie Bradbury (ENG) : 15-8, 15-8



BALI 1996

MEN'S SINGLES
Fung Permadi (TPE) beat Sun Jun (CHN) : 15-12, 15-8

LADIES' SINGLES
Susi Susanti (INA) beat Ye Zhaoying (CHN) : 11-4, 11-1

MEN'S DOUBLES
Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky (INA) beat Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock (MAL) : 15-4, 15-9

LADIES' DOUBLES
Ge Fei/Gu Jun (CHN) beat Eliza/Rosiana Zelin (INA) : 15-4, 15-4

MIXED DOUBLES
Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen (DEN) beat Trikus Heryanto/Minarti Timur (INA) : 15-10, 15-11



JAKARTA 1997

MEN'S SINGLES
Sun Jun (CHN) beat Dong Jiong (CHN) : 15-9, 15-6

LADIES' SINGLES
Ye Zhaoying (CHN) beat Susi Susanti (INA) : 11-4, 11-4

MEN'S DOUBLES
Candra Wijaya/Budiarto Sigit (INA) beat Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock (MAS) : 17-15, 11-15, 15-5

LADIES' DOUBLES
Ge Fei/Gu Jun (CHN) beat Qin Yiyuan/Tang Yonshu (CHN) : 15-1, 15-8

MIXED DOUBLES
Liu Yong/Ge Fei (CHN) beat Trikus Heryanto/Minarti Timur (INA) :15-9, 15-13



BRUNEI 1998

MEN'S SINGLES
Sun Jun (CHN) beat Peter Gade Christensen : 15-11, 15-8

LADIES' SINGLES
Zhang Ning (CHN) beat Dai Yun (CHN) : 11-8, 11-7

MEN'S DOUBLES
Denny Kantono/Budi Antonius (INA) beat Tony Gunawan/Haryanto Halim (INA) : 15-11, 5-15, 15-11

LADIES' DOUBLES
Ge Fei/Gu Jun (CHN) beat Marlene Thomsen/Rikke Olsen (DEN) : W/O

MIXED DOUBLES
Kim Dong Moon/Ra Kyung Min (KOR) beat Simon Archer/Joanne Goode (ENG) : 15-6, 15-9



BRUNEI 1999

MEN'S SINGLES
Peter Gade Christensen (DEN) beat Marleve Mainaky (INA): 15-11, 15-3

LADIES' SINGLES
Ye Zhaoying (CHN) beat Dai Yun (CHN): 11-4, 6-11, 11-9

MEN'S DOUBLES
Candra Wijaya & Tony Gunawan (INA) beat Ha Tae Kwon & Kim Dong Moon (KOR): 15-7, 8-15, 15-11

LADIES' DOUBLES
Ge Fei & Gu Jun (CHN) beat Chung Jae Hee & Ra Kyung Min (KOR): 15-2, 15-4

MIXED DOUBLES
Kim Dong Moon & Ra Kyung Min (KOR) beat Tri Kusharyanto & Minarti Timur (INA): 15-7, 15-7

Paul Le Guen- Profile.

Profile of Paul Le Guen
By Edward Jay
LYON, France, May 9 (Reuters) - A soccer coach who dresses
like a businessman and speaks like a university lecturer, Paul
Le Guen is not unlike another stylish Frenchman.
Always smartly dressed, polite and never loud, Le Guen has
been compared to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Le Guen stepped down as Olympique Lyon coach on Monday just
a day after leading them to a fourth successive Ligue 1 title,
but says he has no plans for the immediate future.
He became the third coach to win at least three consecutive
French titles after Albert Batteux won four from 1967 to 1970
and Robert Herbin three from 1974 to 1976. Both did it with
Lyon's neighbours and arch-rivals St Etienne.
After helping Lyon become the third French club after St
Etienne (1967-70) and Olympique Marseille (1989-92) to win four
in a row, Le Guen has decided the time is right for a new
challenge.
The Brittany-born 41-year-old has enjoyed successs both as a
coach and player.
After spells in Brittany with Brest and Nantes, his playing
career really took off when he joined Paris St Germain in 1991.
During his seven years at the club, he won the French title in
1994, the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1996, lifted the French
Cup three times and won 17 caps for France.
"Winning a title as a coach is much more difficult," he
said. "You need to dedicate yourself much more and you take more
blows."
Le Guen, who holds a degree in economic science, passed his
coaching diploma when he was still playing, aged 24.
"I don't like it when people say it's difficult for a player
to become a coach," he said. "It's just something you have to
plan carefully."
Careful planning holds no secret for Le Guen. He likes to
keep everything under control, gives few interviews and makes
sure his private life remains private.
Little is known about his life outside soccer and he likes
it that way.
"You need passion but also need to keep some distance," he
said.
Paul Le Guen factfile

LYON, France, May 9 (AFP) - Factfile on Paul Le Guen who quit Monday as
Lyon coach the day after the club wrapped up their fourth consecutive French
league title:

Name: Paul Le Guen
Date of birth: March 1, 1964
Place of birth: Pencran, Brittany
Nationality: French

Career: Footballer (midfielder), coach

Former teams: Brest (1983-89), Nantes (1989-91), Paris SG (1991-98)
478 matches: 23 goals
55 European Cup matches: 5 goals
17 caps for France: no goals
First selection: Israel-France (0-4), February 17, 1993
Final selection: Norway-France (0-0), July 22 1995

Player achievements
Cup Winners Cup: 1996
French league title: 1994
French Cup title: 1993, 1995, 1998
French league Cup title: 1995, 1998

Coaching career
Rennes (1998-2001), Lyon (from 2002)
First official match: Rennes-Auxerre (1-0), August 8, 1998

Coaching achievements
French league title: 2003, 2004, 2005

Bolton's Hierro announces retirement from football
MADRID, May 9 (Reuters) - Former Spain and Real Madrid
defender Fernando Hierro has announced that he will retire from
professional football at the end of this season.
"I'm clear about the decision but I wanted to leave it while
I'm still playing at a high level," the 37-year-old Bolton
Wanderers player told Radio Marca on Monday.
Hierro, who made a record 89 international appearances as an
outfield player for Spain, joined Bolton on a one-year contract
last July after a season in Qatar playing for Al Rayyan.
He joined Real Madrid from Valladolid in 1989 and went on to
help the team win six Spanish league titles and three European
Cups during his 14 years at the club.
He was discarded by Real along with coach Vicente del Bosque
a day after the club won the league title in June 2003.
Real have not won a major trophy since the two men left.


Golf-Sorenstam eyes fresh major challenge after Michelob woes
LONDON, May 9 (Reuters) - Annika Sorenstam wasted little
time putting behind her the disappointment of last week's
Michelob Ultra Open at Kingsmill in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Having failed in her bid there for a record sixth
consecutive victory on the LPGA Tour, the world number one
swiftly turned her attention to next month's McDonald's LPGA
Championship, the second women's major of the year.
"Life goes on and it's a new tournament next week," the
34-year-old Swede told reporters after a closing three-over-par
74 left her tied for 12th at the Kingsmill Resort and Spa, 10
strokes behind American winner Cristie Kerr.
"I am disappointed, there is no doubt about it. I will just
have to start over and maybe I can do another streak. We'll see
what happens.
"It is tough to win out here once. You have got to be happy
about that. Here I won five times (in a row), but you cannot
take anything for granted.
"I am proud of what I have achieved on the golf course. I am
getting better every year and the work ethic is paying off.
"My goal for the year was to win majors, and I still think
it is possible to win four in one year."
Sorenstam remains on track to become the first player, man
or woman, to complete a professional grand slam in a single
season after collecting her eighth major title at the Kraft
Nabisco Championship in March.
COMMANDING VICTORY
The Swede cruised to victory by a commanding eight shots at
Mission Hills in California to clinch her 59th career title.
"Winning four majors (in the same year), I think nothing
will beat that," she added.
"Plus winning is always good for the confidence. Winning is
good for a lot of things."
Sorenstam, who is fourth on the all-time list for LPGA wins
behind Kathy Whitworth (88), Mickey Wright (82) and Patty Berg
(60), matched Nancy Lopez's tour record of five wins in a row
from 1978 with her victory at the Nabisco.
Her bid to go one better, however, was derailed when she
opened with a five-over-par 76 at the Michelob Ultra Open.
Despite improving with a second-round 67 and then a 69 in
the rain-delayed third round early on the last day, she left
herself too much ground to make up on the leaders.
"I am not going to look for excuses, other than myself," the
Swede conceded. "I had a great opportunity to do something, I
just didn't do it.
"Starting the fourth round, I thought I was in great shape,
but my wheels came off early and I couldn't really recover
unfortunately.
"I am disappointed, but again, it is a difficult thing to
do."
The McDonald's LPGA Championship takes place at Havre de
Grace, Maryland from June 9-12.

2005 ATP/WTA winners till May 10.

Tennis-Men's 2005 ATP Tour winners

LONDON, May 9 (Reuters) - List of winners on the Men's ATP
Tour in 2005:
Jan 8 - Qatar Open, Doha - Roger Federer (Switzerland)
Jan 9 - Australian Hardcourt Championship, Adelaide -
Joachim Johansson (Sweden)
Jan 9 - Chennai Open, Madras - Carlos Moya (Spain)
Jan 15 - Sydney International - Lleyton Hewitt (Australia)
Jan 15 - Auckland Open - Fernando Gonzalez (Chile)
Jan 30 - AUSTRALIAN OPEN, Melbourne - Marat Safin (Russia)
Feb 6 - BellSouth Open, Vina del Mar - Gaston Gaudio
(Argentina)
Feb 6 - Millennium International, Delray Beach, Florida -
Xavier Malisse (Belgium)
Feb 6 - Milan Indoor Tournament - Robin Soderling (Sweden)
Feb 13 - Marseille Open - Joachim Johansson (Sweden)
Feb 13 - Buenos Aires Open - Gaston Gaudio (Argentina)
Feb 13 - San Jose Open - Andy Roddick (U.S.)
Feb 19 - Brazil Open - Rafael Nadal (Spain)
Feb 20 - World Indoor Tournament, Rotterdam - Roger Federer
(Switzerland)
Feb 20 - Kroger St Jude, Memphis - Kenneth Carlsen (Denmark)
Feb 26 - Abierto Mexicano, Acapulco - Rafael Nadal (Spain)
Feb 27 - Scottsdale Classic - Wayne Arthurs (Australia)
Feb 27 - Dubai Open - Roger Federer (Switzerland)
March 20 - Pacific Life Open - Roger Federer (Switzerland)
April 2 - Nasdaq 100 - Roger Federer (Switzerland)
April 10 - Casablanca Open - Mariano Puerta (Argentina)
April 10 - Valencia Open - Igor Andreev (Russia)
April 17 - Monte Carlo Open - Rafael Nadal (Spain)
April 24 - U.S. Clay Court Championship - Andy Roddick (U.S.)
April 24 - Barcelona Open - Rafael Nadal (Spain)
May 1 - Estoril Open - Gaston Gaudio (Argentina)
May 1 - Munich Open - David Nalbandian (Argentina)
May 8 - Italian Masters - Rafael Nadal (Spain)



Tennis-Women's 2005 WTA Tour winners

LONDON, May 9 - (Reuters) - List of winners on the women's
WTA Tour in 2005:
Jan 8 - Auckland Classic - Katarina Srebotnik (Slovenia)
Jan 8 - Australian Hardcourt Championship, Gold Coast - Patty
Schnyder (Switzerland)
Jan 14 - Hobart International - Zheng Jie (China)
Jan 15 - Canberra Classic - Ana Ivanovic (Serbia & Montenegro)
Sydney International - Alicia Molik (Australia)
Jan 29 - AUSTRALIAN OPEN, Melbourne - Serena Williams (U.S.)
Feb 6 - Thailand Open, Pattaya City - Conchita Martinez
(Spain)
Feb 6 - Pan Pacific Open, Toyko - Maria Sharapova (Russia)
Feb 13 - Hyderabad Open - Sania Mirza (India)
Feb 13 - Paris Open - Dinara Safina (Russia)
Feb 20 - Antwerp Diamond Games - Amelie Mauresmo (France)
Feb 20 - Kroger St Jude, Memphis - Vera Zvonareva (Russia)
Feb 20 - Copa Colsanitas, Bogota - Flavia Pennetta (Italy)
Feb 26 - Qatar Open - Maria Sharapova (Russia)
Feb 27 - Abierto Mexicano, Acapulco - Flavia Pennetta (Italy)
March 5 - Dubai Open - Lindsay Davenport (U.S.)
March 21 - Pacific Life Open - Kim Clijsters (Belgium)
April 2 - Nasdaq-100 Open - Kim Clijsters (Belgium)
April 10 - Amelia Island Open - Lindsay Davenport (U.S.)
April 17 - Family Circle Cup - Justine Henin-Hardenne
(Belgium)
May 1 - Warsaw Cup - Justine Henin-Hardenne (Belgium)
May 1 - Estoril Open - Lucie Safarova (Czech Republic)
May 8 - Rabat Open - Nuria Llagostera Vives (Spain)
May 8 - Berlin Open - Justine Henin-Hardenne (Belgium)

Motorsports Statistics.

World Rally Champions
(FIA WRC)

Driver (Car) Manufacturer Championship
2004 Sebastien LOEB (Citroen) Citroen World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
2003 Petter SOLBERG (Subaru) Citroen World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
2002 Marcus GRONHOLM (Peugeot) Peugeot World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
2001 Richard BURNS (Subaru) Peugeot World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
2000 Marcus GRONHOLM (Peugeot) Peugeot World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1999 Tommi MAKINEN (Mitsubishi) Toyota World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1998 Tommi MAKINEN (Mitsubishi) Mitsubishi World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1997 Tommi MAKINEN (Mitsubishi) Subaru World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1996 Tommi MAKINEN (Mitsubishi) Subaru World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1995 Colin McRAE (Subaru) Subaru World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1994 Didier AURIOL (Toyota) Toyota World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1993 Juha KANKKUNEN (Toyota) Toyota World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1992 Carlos SAINZ (Toyota) Lancia World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1991 Juha KANKKUNEN (Lancia) Lancia World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1990 Carlos SAINZ (Toyota) Lancia World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1989 Massimo BIASION (Lancia) Lancia World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1988 Massimo BIASION (Lancia) Lancia World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1987 Juha KANKKUNEN (Lancia) Lancia World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1986 Juha KANKKUNEN (Peugeot) Peugeot (Gr. B) World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1985 Timo SALONEN (Peugeot) Peugeot (Gr. B) World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1984 Stig BLOMQVIST (Audi) Audi (Gr. B) World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1983 Hannu MIKKOLA (Audi) Lancia (Gr. B) World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1982 Walter ROHRL (Opel) Audi World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1981 Ari VATANEN (Ford) Talbot World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1980 Walter ROHRL (Fiat) Fiat World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1979 Bjorn WALDEGAARD (Ford/Mercedes-Benz) Ford World Ch. (drivers & manufacturers)
1978 Markku ALEN (Fiat & Lancia) Fiat FIA Cup (drivers) & World Ch. (manufacturers)
1977 Sandro MUNARI (Lancia) Fiat FIA Cup (drivers) & World Ch. (manufacturers)
1976 - Lancia World Ch. (manufacturers)
1975 - Lancia World Ch. (manufacturers)
1974 - Lancia World Ch. (manufacturers)
1973 - Alpine-Renault World Ch. (manufacturers)
1972 - Lancia International Ch. (manufacturers)
1971 - Alpine-Renault International Ch. (manufacturers)
1970 - Porsche International Ch. (manufacturers)

Dakar Rally Winners
Bike Category Car Category Truck Category Race
2005 C. DESPRES (KTM) S. PETERHANSEL (Mitsubishi) F. KABIROV (Kamaz) Barcelona - Dakar
2004 N. ROMA (KTM) S. PETERHANSEL (Mitsubishi) TCHAGUINE (Kamaz) Clermont-Ferrand - Dakar
2003 R. SAINCT (KTM) MASUOKA (Mitsubishi) TCHAGUINE (Kamaz) Marseille - Sharm el Sheikh
2002 F. MEONI (KTM) MASUOKA (Mitsubishi) TCHAGUINE (Kamaz) Arras - Madrid - Dakar
2001 F. MEONI (KTM) J. KLEINSCHMIDT (Mitsubishi) LOPRAIS (Tatra) Paris - Dakar
2000 R. SAINCT (BMW) J.L. SCHLESSER (Renault) TCHAGUINE (Kamaz) Paris - Dakar - Cairo
1999 R. SAINCT (BMW) J.L. SCHLESSER (Renault) LOPRAIS (Tatra) Granada - Dakar
1998 S. PETERHANSEL (Yamaha) J.P. FONTENAY (Mitsubishi) LOPRAIS (Tatra) Paris - Granada - Dakar
1997 S. PETERHANSEL (Yamaha) SHINOZUKA (Mitsubishi) REIF (Hino) Dakar - Agades - Dakar
1996 E. ORIOLI (Yamaha) T. LARTIGUE (Citroen) MOSKOVSKIKH (Kamaz) Granada - Dakar
1995 S. PETERHANSEL (Yamaha) T. LARTIGUE (Citroen) LOPRAIS (Tatra) Granada - Dakar
1994 E. ORIOLI (Cagiva) T. LARTIGUE (Citroen) LOPRAIS (Tatra) Paris - Dakar - Paris
1993 S. PETERHANSEL (Yamaha) B. SABY (Mitsubishi) PERLINI (Perlini) Paris - Tanger - Dakar
1992 S. PETERHANSEL (Yamaha) D. AURIOL (Mitsubishi) PERLINI (Perlini) Paris - Sirte - Cape Town
1991 S. PETERHANSEL (Yamaha) A. VATANEN (Citroen) HOUSSAT (Perlini) Paris - Tripoli - Dakar
1990 E. ORIOLI (Cagiva) A. VATANEN (Peugeot) VILLA (Perlini) Paris - Tripoli - Dakar
1989 G. LALAY (Honda) A. VATANEN (Peugeot) - Paris - Tunis - Dakar
1988 E. ORIOLI (Honda) J. KANKKUNEN (Peugeot) LOPRAIS (Tatra) Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1987 C. NEVEU (Honda) A. VATANEN (Peugeot) DE ROY (DAF) Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1986 C. NEVEU (Honda) R. METGE (Porsche) VISMARA (Mercedes) Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1985 G. RAHIER (BMW) P. ZANIROLI (Mitsubishi) CAPITO (Mercedes) Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1984 G. RAHIER (BMW) R. METGE (Porsche) LALLEU (Mercedes) Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1983 D. AURIOL (BMW) J. ICKX (Mercedes) GROINE (Mercedes) Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1982 C. NEVEU (Honda) C. MARREAU (Renault) GROINE (Mercedes) Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1981 D. AURIOL (BMW) R. METGE (Range Rover) VILLETTE (ALM/ACMAT) Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1980 C. NEVEU (Yamaha) KOTULINSKY (Volkswagen) ATAQUAT (Sonacome) Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1979 C. NEVEU (Yamaha) GENESTIER / TERBLAUT / LEMORDANT (Range Rover) Paris - Algiers - Dakar

World Rally Statistics
Number of World Rallies Won (since 1973)
Driver Manufacturer

Carlos SAINZ 26 Lancia 73
Colin McRAE 25 Ford 48
Tommi MAKINEN 24 Peugeot 47
Juha KANKKUNEN 23 Subaru 46
Didier AURIOL 20 Toyota 43
Markku ALEN 19 Mitsubishi 34
Hannu MIKKOLA 18 Audi 24
Massimo BIASION 17 Fiat 21
Marcus GRONHOLM 17 Citroen 17
Bjorn WALDEGAARD 16 Nissan / Datsun 9
Walter ROHRL 14 Alpine-Renault 6
Petter SOLBERG 12 Opel 6
Sebastien LOEB 12 Renault 6
Stig BLOMQVIST 11 Saab 4
Timo SALONEN 11 Mazda 3
Ari VATANEN 10 Porsche 2
Richard BURNS 10 Mercedes 2
Sandro MUNARI 7 Talbot 2
Bernard DARNICHE 7 BMW 2
Gilles PANIZZI 7 VW 1
Kenneth ERIKSSON 6
Jean-Pierre NICOLAS 5
Jean-Luc THERIER 5
Shekhar MEHTA 5
Markko MARTIN 5
Michele MOUTON 4
Francois DELECOUR 4
Timo MAKINEN 4
Jean-Claude ANDRUET 3
Jean RAGNOTTI 3
Henri TOIVONEN 3
Achim WARMBOLD 2
Joginder SINGH 2
Bruno SABY 2
Ingvar CARLSSON 2
Michael ERICSSON 2
Kenjiro SHINOZUKA 2
Mats JONSSON 2
Philippe BUGALSKI 2
Walter BOYCE 1
Raffaele PINTO 1
Ove ANDERSSON 1
Per EKLUND 1
Harry KALLSTROM 1
Roger CLARK 1
Fulvio BACCHELLI 1
Kyosti HAMALAINEN 1
"Tony" FASSINA 1
Anders KULLANG 1
Guy FREQUELIN 1
Joaquim MOUTINHO 1
Bernard BEGUIN 1
Franz WITTMANN 1
Sepp HAIDER 1
Jorge RECALDE 1
Alain AMBROSINO 1
Alain OREILLE 1
Pentti AIRIKKALA 1
Patrick TAUZIAC 1
Armin SCHWARZ 1
Andrea AGHINI 1
Gianfranco CUNICO 1
Ian DUNCAN 1
Piero LIATTI 1
Harri ROVANPERA 1
Jesus PURAS 1

Moto Grand Prix Statistics
Number of Races Won (since 1949)
Rider Manufacturer

Giacomo AGOSTINI 68 Honda 194
Mick DOOHAN 54 MV Agusta 139
Valentino ROSSI 44 Yamaha 132
Mike HAILWOOD 37 Suzuki 89
Eddie LAWSON 31 Gilera 35
Kevin SCHWANTZ 25 Norton 21
Wayne RAINEY 24 AJS 5
Geoff DUKE 22 Moto Guzzi 3
John SURTEES 22 Matchless 3
Kenny ROBERTS 22 Cagiva 3
Freddie SPENCER 20 Kawasaki 2
Barry SHEENE 19 Jawa 1
Wayne GARDNER 18 Linto 1
Alex CRIVILLE 15 Konig 1
Randy MAMOLA 13 San Venero 1
Max BIAGGI 13 Ducati 1
Phil READ 11
Sete GIBERNAU 9
Gary HOCKING 8
Luca CADALORA 8
Kenny ROBERTS Jr. 8
Alex BARROS 7
Umberto MASETTI 6
Marco LUCCHINELLI 6
Leslie GRAHAM 5
Wil HARTOG 5
Franco UNCINI 5
Reg ARMSTRONG 4
Libero LIBERATI 4
John KOCINSKI 4
Tadayuki OKADA 4
Alfredo MILANI 3
John HARTLE 3
Alberto PAGANI 3
Jack FINDLAY 3
Pat HENNEN 3
Johnny CECOTTO 3
Daryl BEATTIE 3
Norick ABE 3
Garry McCOY 3
Loris CAPIROSSI 3
Nello PAGANI 2
Fergus ANDERSON 2
Ray AMM 2
Jim REDMAN 2
Jarno SAARINEN 2
Virgino FERRARI 2
Jack MIDDELBURG 2
Carlos CHECA 2
Makoto TAMADA 2
Harold DANIELL 1
Bill DORAN 1
Jack BRETT 1
Cromie McCANDLESS 1
Ken KAVANAGH 1
Pierre MONNERET 1
Dickie DALE 1
Giuseppe COLNAGO 1
Bill LOMAS 1
Bob McINTYRE 1
Remo VENTURI 1
Jorge KISSLING 1
Alan SHEPHERD 1
Benedicto CALDARELLE 1
Jack AHEARN 1
Dick CREITH 1
Frantisek STASTNY 1
Godfrey NASH 1
Angelo BERGAMONTI 1
Dave SIMMONDS 1
Chas MORTIMER 1
Kim NEWCOMBE 1
Edmund CZIHAK 1
Franco BONERA 1
Phil CARPENTER 1
Teuvo LANSIVUORI 1
Hideo KANAYA 1
Mick GRANT 1
Tom HERRON 1
John WILLIAMS 1
John NEWBOLD 1
Dennis IRELAND 1
Boet Van DULMEN 1
Michel FRUTSCHI 1
Takazumi KATAYAMA 1
Christian SARRON 1
Kevin MAGEE 1
Pier Francesco CHILI 1
Alberto PUIG 1
Simon CRAFAR 1
Regis LACONI 1
Tohru UKAWA 1

MotoGP & GP 500 World Champions
(FIM Grand Prix / GP1)
Rider (Bike) Series
2004 Valentino ROSSI (Yamaha) Moto GP
2003 Valentino ROSSI (Honda) Moto GP
2002 Valentino ROSSI (Honda) Moto GP
2001 Valentino ROSSI (Honda) GP 500
2000 Kenny ROBERTS Jr. (Suzuki) GP 500
1999 Alex CRIVILLE (Honda) GP 500
1998 Mick DOOHAN (Honda) GP 500
1997 Mick DOOHAN (Honda) GP 500
1996 Mick DOOHAN (Honda) GP 500
1995 Mick DOOHAN (Honda) GP 500
1994 Mick DOOHAN (Honda) GP 500
1993 Kevin SCHWANTZ (Suzuki) GP 500
1992 Wayne RAINEY (Yamaha) GP 500
1991 Wayne RAINEY (Yamaha) GP 500
1990 Wayne RAINEY (Yamaha) GP 500
1989 Eddie LAWSON (Honda) GP 500
1988 Eddie LAWSON (Yamaha) GP 500
1987 Wayne GARDNER (Honda) GP 500
1986 Eddie LAWSON (Yamaha) GP 500
1985 Freddie SPENCER (Honda) GP 500
1984 Eddie LAWSON (Yamaha) GP 500
1983 Freddie SPENCER (Honda) GP 500
1982 Franco UNCINI (Suzuki) GP 500
1981 Marco LUCCHINELLI (Suzuki) GP 500
1980 Kenny ROBERTS (Yamaha) GP 500
1979 Kenny ROBERTS (Yamaha) GP 500
1978 Kenny ROBERTS (Yamaha) GP 500
1977 Barry SHEENE (Suzuki) GP 500
1976 Barry SHEENE (Suzuki) GP 500
1975 Giacomo AGOSTINI (Yamaha) GP 500
1974 Phil READ (MV Agusta) GP 500
1973 Phil READ (MV Agusta) GP 500
1972 Giacomo AGOSTINI (MV Agusta) GP 500
1971 Giacomo AGOSTINI (MV Agusta) GP 500
1970 Giacomo AGOSTINI (MV Agusta) GP 500
1969 Giacomo AGOSTINI (MV Agusta) GP 500
1968 Giacomo AGOSTINI (MV Agusta) GP 500
1967 Giacomo AGOSTINI (MV Agusta) GP 500
1966 Giacomo AGOSTINI (MV Agusta) GP 500
1965 Mike HAILWOOD (MV Agusta) GP 500
1964 Mike HAILWOOD (MV Agusta) GP 500
1963 Mike HAILWOOD (MV Agusta) GP 500
1962 Mike HAILWOOD (MV Agusta) GP 500
1961 Gary HOCKING (MV Agusta) GP 500
1960 John SURTEES (MV Agusta) GP 500
1959 John SURTEES (MV Agusta) GP 500
1958 John SURTEES (MV Agusta) GP 500
1957 Libero LIBERATI (Gilera) GP 500
1956 John SURTEES (MV Agusta) GP 500
1955 Geoff DUKE (Gilera) GP 500
1954 Geoff DUKE (Gilera) GP 500
1953 Geoff DUKE (Gilera) GP 500
1952 Umberto MASETTI (Gilera) GP 500
1951 Geoff DUKE (Norton) GP 500
1950 Umberto MASETTI (Gilera) GP 500
1949 Leslie GRAHAM (AJS) GP 500

Formula 1 World Champions
(FIA F1 Grand Prix)

Driver Championship Constructor Championship
2004 1 Michael SCHUMACHER (Ferrari) F Ferrari
2003 1 Michael SCHUMACHER (Ferrari) F Ferrari
2002 1 Michael SCHUMACHER (Ferrari) F Ferrari
2001 1 Michael SCHUMACHER (Ferrari) F Ferrari
2000 3 Michael SCHUMACHER (Ferrari) F Ferrari
1999 1 Mika HAKKINEN (McLaren-Mercedes) F Ferrari
1998 8 Mika HAKKINEN (McLaren-Mercedes) M McLaren-Mercedes
1997 3 Jacques VILLENEUVE (Williams-Renault) W Williams-Renault
1996 5 Damon HILL (Willams-Renault) W Williams-Renault
1995 1 Michael SCHUMACHER (Benetton-Renault) B Benetton-Renault
1994 5 Michael SCHUMACHER (Benetton-Ford) W Williams-Renault
1993 2 Alain PROST (Williams-Renault) W Williams-Renault
1992 5 Nigel MANSELL (Williams-Renault) W Williams-Renault
1991 1 Ayrton SENNA (McLaren-Honda) M McLaren-Honda
1990 27 Ayrton SENNA (McLaren-Honda) M McLaren-Honda
1989 2 Alain PROST (McLaren-Honda) M McLaren-Honda
1988 12 Ayrton SENNA (McLaren-Honda) M McLaren-Honda
1987 6 Nelson PIQUET (Williams-Honda) W Williams-Honda
1986 1 Alain PROST (McLaren-TAG/Porsche) W Williams-Honda
1985 2 Alain PROST (McLaren-TAG/Porsche) M McLaren-TAG/Porsche
1984 8 Niki LAUDA (McLaren-TAG/Porsche) M McLaren-TAG/Porsche
1983 5 Nelson PIQUET (Brabham-BMW) F Ferrari
1982 6 Keke ROSBERG (Williams-Ford/Cosworth) F Ferrari
1981 5 Nelson PIQUET (Brabham-Ford/Cosworth) W Williams-Ford/Cosworth
1980 27 Alan JONES (Williams-Ford/Cosworth) W Williams-Ford/Cosworth
1979 11 Jody SCHECKTER (Ferrari) F Ferrari
1978 5 Mario ANDRETTI (Lotus-Ford/Cosworth) L Lotus-Ford/Cosworth
1977 11 Niki LAUDA (Ferrari) F Ferrari
1976 11 James HUNT (McLaren-Ford/Cosworth) F Ferrari
1975 12 Niki LAUDA (Ferrari) F Ferrari
1974 5 Emerson FITTIPALDI (McLaren-Ford/Cosworth) M McLaren-Ford/Cosworth
1973 # Jackie STEWART (Tyrrell-Ford/Cosworth) L Lotus-Ford/Cosworth
1972 # Emerson FITTIPALDI (Lotus-Ford/Cosworth) L Lotus-Ford/Cosworth
1971 # Jackie STEWART (Tyrrell-Ford/Cosworth) T Tyrrell-Ford/Cosworth
1970 # Jochen RINDT (Lotus-Ford/Cosworth) L Lotus-Ford/Cosworth
1969 # Jackie STEWART (Matra-Ford/Cosworth) M Matra-Ford/Cosworth
1968 # Graham HILL (Lotus-Ford/Cosworth) L Lotus-Ford/Cosworth
1967 # Denny HULME (Brabham-Repco) B Brabham-Repco
1966 # Jack BRABHAM (Brabham-Repco) B Brabham-Repco
1965 # Jim CLARK (Lotus-Climax) L Lotus-Climax
1964 # John SURTEES (Ferrari) F Ferrari
1963 # Jim CLARK (Lotus-Climax) L Lotus-Climax
1962 # Graham HILL (BRM) B BRM
1961 # Phil HILL (Ferrari) F Ferrari
1960 # Jack BRABHAM (Cooper-Climax) C Cooper-Climax
1959 # Jack BRABHAM (Cooper-Climax) C Cooper-Climax
1958 # Mike HAWTHORN (Ferrari) V Vanwall
1957 # Juan Manuel FANGIO (Maserati) -
1956 # Juan Manuel FANGIO (Lancia/Ferrari) -
1955 # Juan Manuel FANGIO (Mercedes) -
1954 # Juan Manuel FANGIO (Maserati & Mercedes) -
1953 # Alberto ASCARI (Ferrari) -
1952 # Alberto ASCARI (Ferrari) -
1951 # Juan Manuel FANGIO (Alfa Romeo) -
1950 # Giuseppe "Nino" FARINA (Alfa Romeo) -
# = multiple car numbers used.

Indianapolis 500 Winners
(Indy 500)

Driver Series
2004 15 Buddy RICE IRL
2003 6 Gil de FERRAN IRL
2002 3 Helio CASTRONEVES IRL
2001 68 Helio CASTRONEVES IRL
2000 9 Juan Pablo MONTOYA IRL
1999 14 Kenny BRACK IRL
1998 51 Eddie CHEEVER IRL
1997 5 Arie LUYENDYK IRL/USAC
1996 91 Buddy LAZIER IRL/USAC
1995 27 Jacques VILLENEUVE CART/USAC
1994 31 Al UNSER Jr. CART/USAC
1993 4 Emerson FITTIPALDI CART/USAC
1992 3 Al UNSER Jr. CART/USAC
1991 3 Rick MEARS CART/USAC
1990 30 Arie LUYENDYK CART/USAC
1989 20 Emerson FITTIPALDI CART/USAC
1988 5 Rick MEARS CART/USAC
1987 25 Al UNSER Sr. CART/USAC
1986 3 Bobby RAHAL CART/USAC
1985 5 Danny SULLIVAN CART/USAC
1984 6 Rick MEARS CART/USAC
1983 5 Tom SNEVA CART/USAC
1982 20 Gordon JOHNCOCK CART/USAC
1981 3 Bobby UNSER CART/USAC
1980 4 Johnny RUTHERFORD CART/USAC
1979 9 Rick MEARS CART/USAC
1978 2 Al UNSER Sr. USAC
1977 14 A.J. FOYT Jr. USAC
1976 2 Johnny RUTHERFORD USAC
1975 48 Bobby UNSER USAC
1974 3 Johnny RUTHERFORD USAC
1973 20 Gordon JOHNCOCK USAC
1972 66 Mark DONOHUE USAC
1971 1 Al UNSER Sr. USAC
1970 2 Al UNSER Sr. USAC
1969 2 Mario ANDRETTI USAC
1968 3 Bobby UNSER USAC
1967 14 A.J. FOYT Jr. USAC
1966 24 Graham HILL USAC
1965 82 Jim CLARK USAC
1964 1 A.J. FOYT Jr. USAC
1963 98 Parnelli JONES USAC
1962 3 Rodger WARD USAC
1961 1 A.J. FOYT Jr. USAC
1960 4 Jim RATHMANN USAC
1959 5 Rodger WARD USAC
1958 1 Jimmy BRYAN USAC
1957 9 Sam HANKS USAC
1956 8 Pat FLAHERTY USAC
1955 6 Bob SWEIKERT AAA
1954 14 Bill VUKOVICH AAA
1953 14 Bill VUKOVICH AAA
1952 98 Troy RUTTMAN AAA
1951 99 Lee WALLARD AAA
1950 1 Johnnie PARSONS AAA
1949 7 Bill HOLLAND AAA
1948 3 Mauri ROSE AAA
1947 27 Mauri ROSE AAA
1946 16 George ROBSON AAA
1945 -
1944 -
1943 -
1942 -
1941 16 Floyd DAVIS & Mauri ROSE AAA
1940 1 Wilbur SHAW AAA
1939 2 Wilbur SHAW AAA
1938 23 Floyd ROBERTS AAA
1937 6 Wilbur SHAW AAA
1936 8 Louis MEYER AAA
1935 5 Kelly PETILLO AAA
1934 7 Bill CUMMINGS AAA
1933 36 Louis MEYER AAA
1932 34 Fred FRAME AAA
1931 23 Louis SCHNEIDER AAA
1930 4 Billy ARNOLD AAA
1929 2 Ray KEECH AAA
1928 14 Louis MEYER AAA
1927 32 George SOUDERS AAA
1926 15 Frank LOCKHART AAA
1925 12 Peter DePAOLO & Norman BATTEN AAA
1924 15 Lora CORUM & Joe BOYER AAA
1923 1 Tommy MILTON & Howdy WILCOX AAA
1922 8 Jimmy MURPHY AAA
1921 2 Tommy MILTON AAA
1920 4 Gaston CHEVROLET AAA
1919 3 Howdy WILCOX AAA
1918 -
1917 -
1916 17 Dario RESTA AAA
1915 2 Ralph DePALMA AAA
1914 16 Rene THOMAS AAA
1913 16 Jules GOUX AAA
1912 8 Joe DAWSON (riding mechanic: Don Herr) AAA
1911 32 Ray HARROUN & Cyrus PATSCHKE AAA
AAA = American Automobile Association
USAC = United States Auto Club
CART = Championship Auto Racing Teams
IRL = Indy Racing League
Related pages:
IRL Champions
CART Champions
USAC & AAA Indycar Champions
Auto Racing Champions
Motorcycle Racing Champions
Major Race Winners

Gaylestorm

Sir Garfield's advice pays off for Gayle

St John's (Antigua): Chris Gayle admitted that advice from West Indies cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers played a major role in his epic triple hundred in the fourth and final Test against South Africa here. Gayle has made 317 in a West Indies total of 565 for five, replying to South Africa's first innings total of 588 for six declared, to become the fourth West Indies batsman to hit a Test triple hundred. Teammate and former West Indies captain Brian Lara heads the list, with his world record 400 not out last year, and 375 in 1994 against England, both coming at the Antigua Recreation Ground. Sir Garfield, who held the previous world record of 365 not out against Pakistan at Kingston in 1958, and Gayle's fellow Jamaican Lawrence Rowe with his silky 302 against England at Bridgetown in 1974, have also reached such rare heights for West Indies. "I have been working hard with Sir Garfield in the nets and it really paid off in this match," said Gayle. "He has talked a lot to us about keeping our balance when playing strokes and giving momentum to our innings. "We spent a long time in the indoor nets in Barbados - Wavell Hinds, Sir Garfield, and myself - and we talked about a lot of things, and I was fortunate that it paid off for me in this innings." AFP

Chelsea now want to paint the world blue

Chelsea seek to paint world blue after title win

London: Having secured the English league title, Chelsea now plan to paint the world blue.Backed by Roman Abramovich's billions, and with new club sponsor Samsung adding corporate muscle, the London club aims to rival Manchester United as the English side of choice in the growth markets of Asia and North America. Premier League matches are beamed to 195 countries, a global television reach of 600 million homes, and Chelsea's share of the viewing figures has been on the rise since Jose
Mourinho's men began sweeping all before them at home and in Europe.The club says that its British fan base has increased by 300 percent over the past two years to 2.9 million people, and is approaching 20 million internationally.Chelsea's ground

nestles in one of the most fashionable areas of London and it has plenty of well-heeled

local support and a wider base in England's prosperous south-east."With the

highest personal income levels among any club fans in Europe, it's probably not surprising

that Chelsea fans spend the most on match days and are the biggest consumers of

club-related products in the UK," the club's business affairs director, Paul Smith,

said.Recognition of Chelsea's growing popularity was behind the approach from

Samsung, the South Korean mobile phones and electronics giant.The five-year

deal, starting next month, includes the company's Samsung Mobile logo on Chelsea's

shirts and is worth a reported $ 95 million.Explaining why his parent company had

beaten a path to west London, Samsung's European chief Kim In-soo said simply:

"Football is the most popular sport in the world and Samsung is a global company.

"Chelsea are a rapidly rising star in world football and ...Samsung wants to be

associated with the best that football has to offer."The Samsung deal came three

months after Chelsea announced an eight-year kit deal with Adidas worth nearly $ 190

million.Chelsea had decided to part company with Dubai-based airline Emirates at

the end of this season and look for a shirt sponsor with global ambitions in the consumer

market.Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon, who spent six years trying to turn

the world red for Manchester United before moving to Stamford Bridge in 2003, had a

clear idea of where the club's sponsorship future lay."We needed a company

which would be recognised as global, prestigious and with ambitions for growth,

especially in the key territories that Chelsea are targeting over the next 10 years --

primarily the UK, China, Russia and North America."Over the next five years, our

plans are quite simple. To turn the world blue."Kenyon's former employers share

that vision of a devoted worldwide market, drawing on a United global fan base

estimated at 75 million, while last season's English champions Arsenal are also keen on

building a larger fan base overseas.United have the momentum after more than a

decade of trophy success and they are still the world's richest club, turning over nearly $

323 million and building operating profits of almost 60 million pounds $ 114 million in

2003-04.Though Chelsea will hope to grow their share in Asia through the

Samsung deal, it is a region where United already count over 40 million supporters

including those in Australia.United, who have a soccer school in Hong Kong, are

no strangers to pre-season tours of Asia, where Premier League matches enjoy huge

popularity and where United benefited from David Beckham's cult status before his 2003

move to Real Madrid.The desirability of the Red Devils brand is also behind the

attempts by U.S. business tycoon Malcolm Glazer to buy United.Already owner

of American football team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Glazer's knowledge of the U.S.

sports market would help a club that already numbers Nike, Budweiser and Pepsi among

its corporate sponsors.Chelsea, who are also sponsored by Budweiser, are still

building their business empire by comparison with United and have a stadium with only

42,000 seats -- around 25,000 fewer than Old Trafford -- and limited room for

expansion.They also announced record losses in English soccer of 88 million

pounds ($167 million) in January, although the red ink is unlikely to trouble a club owner

whose personal fortune is estimated in excess of seven billion

pounds.Abramovich's Russian connections should help Chelsea in an economy

which has enjoyed rapid growth in recent years.Arsenal's strengths are two-fold

-- the shrewdness of manager Arsene Wenger, whose squad has cost far less than United

and Chelsea's, and a 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium due to open in 2006 and backed

by up to 100 million pounds ($190 million) of sponsorship.United, Chelsea and

Arsenal are without doubt the big three in English football. Looking to the future, they

could also be the biggest in the world in financial terms.Currently ranked first,

fourth and sixth respectively by Deloitte Touche in their 2003-04 Football Money League

report, there is room for further expansion."With Chelsea's success and Arsenal's

Emirates Stadium development, we can foresee a scenario where English clubs fill the top

three places in the 2006-07 Money League," the report said. Reuters

EPL has a new champion ; at last

EPL have a new champion; at last:

Remember the last instance when any club other than Manchester United or Arsenal won the English Premier League.A layman may keep scratching his head and yet not find an answer whereas a connoisseur of the game might just remember that it was Blackburn Rovers -- and that immaculate SAS combination (Chris Sutton and Alan Shearer) -- which won the championships in 1995.

A quick glance at recent history suggests that ever since the revised English Premier League was launched (in 1992) it has virtually been a two horse race -- a battle for supremacy between Manchester United and Arsenal United. The Blackburn win in 1995 being the only aberration.

Moreover even Arsenal joined the race only in the late nineties. Prior to that it was Manchester United all the way.The Red Devils and the Gunners shared eleven titles between them and there was hardly any opposition to their supremacy.So much so that even a hardcore fan wanted a change -- a deviation from the routine results.

The emergence of Chelsea as the new Premier League champion this season suggests that English Premier League may finally have a new team which can burst into the citadels of Manchester United and Arsenal.

Chelsea have won the league fourteen points clear of second placed Arsenal and with three games remaining. This is indeed a fitting achievement for a team which has led the league standings for much of the season and swept away every opposition, winning 27 of its 35 league games.

The emergence of Chelsea as a challenger to the dominance of the Big Two started in mid 2003 after Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich bought the London-based club. As the new owner of the club,Abramovich backed the then coach Claudio Ranieri in assembling a formidable unit by pumping in his millions to acquire top players.

The results were very palpable. Chelsea finished second behind Arsenal in the EPL last season besides reaching the semifinal of the Champions' League.But their inability to win a silverware probably cost Ranieri his job. Jose Mourinho replaced the ever tinkering Italian at the start of this season and the Blues have projected a completely new facet since.

The resurgent Chelsea side have already won the Carling Cup this season, wrapped up their first league title in fifty years and are very much in contention for the Champions' League crown.

Chelsea winning the English Premier League title is refreshing to say the least. At a time when the rest of the domestic leagues around Europe are moving towards a somewhat predictable finale, the most predictable of all leagues,the EPL has just produced a new champion.

Roman Abramovich and his million dollar club

Abramovich's Chelsea success is bitter-sweet in Russia

Moscow: The success of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich after lavishing a fortune on Chelsea soccer club has earned him many friends in west London but resentment at home.The shy oil and metals tycoon, who sports designer stubble and a boyish grin, bought Chelsea in 2003 for $100 million and spent another $400 million on players.Two years later, the spending spree has paid dividends with the Premier League title, Chelsea's first in 50 years. "People are proud that a person from this country has created such a good team, a really pleasant team to watch," said Nikolai Roganov, deputy head of the soccer department at Sovietsky Sport newspaper. "But there are also negative feelings -- why is a Russian businessman putting his money into developing British soccer and not Russian?" Interest among Russians in Chelsea has soared, with television stations showing as many of the team's games as possible and supporters setting up a Russian Chelsea fan club. "Before, Russians were interested in Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, but now Chelsea has become very popular," said Roganov. Moscow's mayor Yuri Luzhkov accused Abramovich of "spitting" on his homeland when he bought Chelsea. But Abramovich, who like many of Russia's super-rich, made his fortune in the economic anarchy of the post-Soviet privatisations of the 1990s, did redeem himself after his Sibneft oil firm signed a $54 million sponsorship deal with CSKA Moscow soccer club last year.Abramovich remains popular in London. In winter, fans at Stamford Bridge sport Russian fur hats and before matches loudspeakers blare Russian music. Off the pitch, 38-year-old Abramovich makes headlines in Russia with extravagant shopping trips -- newspapers describe every technical capability of his latest yacht or detail how many hectares of land his new mansion has. Even his highly paid Chelsea players were awed by his wealth after he invited them on to one of his several vessels moored at a heavily guarded quay in Monaco last year. Abramovich, orphaned before he was five, rarely gives interviews. Such was his invisibility that a newspaper once ran a competition to find a photograph of him. At Stamford Bridge he is shadowed by security. When he uses the lift no one else is allowed in. Estimated recently by Forbes magazine to be worth $13.3 billion, making him Russia's richest man and the 21st most wealthy person in the world, Abramovich has friendships with some of the most powerful people in Russia. At a Champions League tie between CSKA and Chelsea last year, his executive box hosted former President Boris Yeltsin, as well as two potential future presidents -- Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov and former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov. People close to the elusive Abramovich say he is driven by plans and projects and once he has achieved what he has set out to do, he tends to lose interest and look for new challenges. But Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he has been impressed by Abramovich's enthusiasm.He attends almost every match and talks to players in the the dressing room afterwards, trailed by security. When it rains, a man is there to hold his umbrella for him. He also visits the training ground in Surrey regularly. Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has assured fans the club is a long-term project for the Russian and the club's plan was to break even within five years so they no longer had to rely on his handouts. Reuters

JOSE MOURINHO

It's the biggest lie to say managers need time'

London: He arrived in England before the start of the season calling himself the "special one". He claimed ownership of the European Cup on the grounds that Porto, the club where he had been coaching, had won it the previous season and launched himself into a head-on collision with UEFA. And yet after guiding Chelsea to their first top-flight title in 50 years, having already steered the London club to a League Cup triumph and the semifinals of the Champions League, few would disagree with Jose Mourinho's self-assessment. Not since Brian Clough's Derby team conquered the old First Division in the 1970s before his Nottingham Forest side ended the decade double champions of Europe had a manager so demolished the notion that nothing succeeds in England like modesty. Clough though, merely styled himself `Ole Big Ead'. Mourinho, like Arsene Wenger, proved that a playing career was not an essential requirement for being a successful manager. The son of a Portugal goalkeeper, Mourinho never played professionally and had his first big break as Sir Bobby Robson's translator when the veteran English coach arrived at Sporting Lisbon. He soon became the former England boss's assistant and Robson, as shrewd a judge of ability off the field as he was on it, said: "What struck me about Mourinho was he was a student of football. I had a feeling that one day he would go a long way in the game. He had great confidence in his own ability." After following Robson to Barcelona he stayed at the Nou Camp to be deputy to Louis van Gaal before joining Portuguese giants Benfica in 2000 only for his reign there to last nine game before a boardroom row. However, he was soon in charge again at perennial Portuguese strugglers Uniao de Leiria whom he promptly guided to fourth place and European football. Porto seized the chance to have Mourinho at the helm and were rewarded with the UEFA Cup and Champions League in successive seasons. It was little wonder that Roman Abramovich, Chelsea's millionaire Russian owner who himself had defied the odds on the way to acquiring a vast fortune, should bring in Mourinho to replace the genial Claudio Ranieri. Mourinho managed to get under the skin of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson by suggesting the Scot improperly influenced referees. He sparked further controversy in the League Cup final itself when he appeared to signal Liverpool fans to be quiet. But that was nothing compared to his suggestions that referee Anders Frisk had been improperly influenced by a half-time visit from Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard during a Champions League tie. Frisk, who said he's received death threats following Mourinho's comments, announced his retirement afterwards and the Chelsea manager was branded an "enemy of football" by UEFA's head of refereeing. Although Frisk's own match report later largely backed Mourinho's version of events, the coach was banned for two games by UEFA. No matter, Chelsea still reached the last four after defeating Bayern Munich. There were those willing to attribute Chelsea's success to Abramovich's wealth but Mourinho, 42, owner of the most famous grey overcoat in England and the main speaker at an Israeli-Palestininian football `peace summit' in March, had an answer that, unsurprisingly, demolished one of the sport's truisms. "The finance is not the most important factor. It's a big help but it's more about creating a squad, creating a team. It's the biggest lie in football to say that managers need time to have success, because it's a lie we make to protect ourselves. We don't need a lot of time. If from the first day you're working with the right principles, you don't need time." AFP

Nottingham Forest - The Final Decline

Third rate Forest in deep rooted decline

London: May 1 (Reuters) Nottingham Forest's 25-year decline reached a humiliating new low on Saturday when they became the first former European champions to be demoted to the third tier of their national league. A 2-1 defeat at Queens Park Rangers condemned the 1979 and 1980 European Cup winners to relegation from the English second division with an embarrassing nine wins from 45 games this season. Forest sit alongside Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and AC Milan as one of the eight teams to have won the European Cup in successive years but next season they will face demoralising trips to Colchester, Doncaster Rovers and Port Vale. Their fans, raised on a diet of free-flowing football that was the basis of unprecedented success under their greatest manager Brian Clough, have watched the demise with a growing sense of resignation. Clough died of stomach cancer aged 69 last September and his demise set the tone for a desperate season at the City Ground. Significantly, Forest now find themselves at a lower ebb than when Clough first sauntered into Nottingham 30 years ago and saved them from relegation from the same division. They last played in division three in 1951. The rot set in during the final season of Clough's 18-year reign, the 1992-93 campaign that ended in relegation from the Premier League. Forest have had nine different men at the helm in the ensuing 12 years and this season alone there have been three different managers. They started with Joe Kinnear but he quit following a 3-0 defeat at local rivals Derby County. Caretaker Mick Harford failed to reverse the downward drift, memorably describing the team's efforts after a 3-0 defeat by Cardiff in January as "atrocious, disgraceful and embarrassing". The current boss, former West Bromwich Albion manager Gary Megson, stiffened resolve but his inexperienced team proved unable to sustain their initial improvement during a bloody relegation dogfight. He has described watching their recent displays as "excruciating" and former defender Larry Lloyd, one of the most combative members of Clough's European Cup-winning sides, agrees. “I can't believe what I've been watching," he said last month. “I know people get fed up with former players like me going on about the old days and I don't blame them. But what has the club come to when they are worried about what the likes of Gillingham are doing? That really galls me."

EMBARRASSING RESULTS: One of Lloyd's old team mates, striker Garry Birtles, believes the players have let the club and Clough down. “I think Cloughie would be absolutely distraught if he was still with us today," Birtles told the Daily Mirror newspaper after it reported claims that some Forest players misbehaved on a night out in Nottingham in the week before Saturday's game. "He would be so saddened to see all he achieved going to waste. "The foundations that he worked so hard to put in place with (his assistant) Peter Taylor have been flattened by the players. It is an absolute disgrace." It is not entirely the players' fault. Their collective on-field weakness is the result of off-field debts caused by poor management, ill-advised transfer moves and over-ambitious stadium development. Forest's 30,000-capacity City Ground was considered a venue worthy of hosting European Championship matches in 1996. With its irregular stands, however, it retains the air of a work in progress and the slump in revenue that will inevitably accompany the club into the third division means there is little prospect of a planned new main stand materialising in the short term. Earlier this month Forest released their financial figures for 2003-04. Turnover amounted to only 10.6 million pounds ($20.27 million), of which 8.4 million, a staggering 79 percent, came from player salaries, bonuses and signing-on fees. A deficit of 7.5 million pounds was met with loans from chairman Nigel Doughty of 6.4 million pounds. They also owe 4.3 million to the council for the building of the new Trent End stand. The current situation is a little healthier in financial terms, thanks mainly to the sales of highly-rated defender Michael Dawson and Ireland midfielder Andy Reid to Tottenham Hotspur for five million pounds this season. That income will enhance future balance sheets but the price has been demotion and some embarrassing results for a club who ruled Europe 25 years ago and whose proud English record of 42 unbeaten league games was overhauled by Arsenal only last year. A 6-0 defeat at Ipswich in March was followed by a 3-0 humiliation at home by Plymouth this month. Forest will try to take heart from the experience of other sizeable English clubs like Aston Villa and Manchester City who have re-established themselves in the top flight after spells in division three. They would be foolish to assume, however, that the only way is up. (REUTERS)