Richard Vaughan Badmiton History
Early Badminton Years
Richards first national u12 doubles title was with his cousin Simon Richards when he was 8. Both Simon and Richard were coached by Don Griffiths (RV Academy coach). Simon, Ian Sullivan, Anthony Clark and Richard were generally the best players through the age groups in the UK.
When 16 Richard’s Korean coach, Lee Jae Bok had just left the UK returning to Korea, despite this he reached the semi final of the Welsh Open with wins at the time over top Swedish player Hagberg, and top British player Anthony Bush, and won numerous Elite English GP events.
In Europe Dicky Palyama (Hol) and Richard were the top two juniors, at 18 Richard had a ranking of 54 in the World and Dicky had won the Austrian Open with victories over some notable opponents such as Pongratz of Germany. In January that year Richard spent 3 weeks in Korea training with Lee Jae Bok, and reached the Last 16 of the Korean Open beating the Japanese No1 Machida, the following week on returning from Korea while competing in an English GP event Richard first injured his hip, with the European Junior Championships 8 weeks away it was not the best timing. Richard was unable to train during the 8 weeks as every time he went on court the injury flared up, despite this he played the Europeans which saw him being No1 seed, and managed to beat some good players like Roch (Ger), Oedum (Den), and Hansen (Den) but lost to Dicky in the final 12 in the 3rd. Only anti-inflammatories were able to sub due the pain, and it was Richards first encounter with a very helpful French medical team.
On returning home local doctors were unable to find a problem and gave him the ok to play the World Champs in Scotland. This saw him play every mixed, and singles match for the team despite the pain, but by the end of it he needed to withdraw against Poland as things were too bad. The medical side of things had been very mismanaged for the previous 5 months. So Richard decided to take charge of things and contacted Dr Carbon (BOA) in London, after an operation and some 18 months off he was back playing though not totally pain free. The injury was very complicated, a form of osteoporosis which had made a bone in his hip (femur) vulnerable to injury, and Richard was warned to be careful with his playing load to avoid a future reoccurrence.
During this difficult time numerous people had been very supportive, a club in Denmark (Horsens), ran by Hans Jakobsen, had asked Richard to play for them. Despite his injury they were very patient and helped enormously in the recovery, and he enjoyed 2 years playing there. Dicky had maintained contact during this period. Ian Wright and Andrew Ryan who had both been impressed with Richard level pre injury had been encouraging contacts, as well had Lee Jae Bok who was back in Korea. Thanks to having good coaches available for advice in Andrew, Ian, and Lee, and the help of Horsens club, Ib Fredriksen, Hans and Zhang Qiang, Richard managed to get some quick results which took him up to World top 50 before Christmas, this only to come down with glandular fever which knocked him out until April 1999.
Apart for the Sudirman Cup (1999) Team event for Wales in May the next 6 months were spent only training in Denmark with Horsens, and Zhang.
Nov 1999, Toulouse Badminton Open
One of the first Olympic qualifying tournaments and a great start for qualification, losing to Gopichand close in the final. However Richard also had good wins over another extremely talented Indian player Nikhil Kanetkar in the semi final 13&13, and tough wins over other good European players in every round. A very tiring first tournament, and a bit achy the days after, walking down the stairs was challenging!
(Indian Express)
http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19991116/isp19106.html
(Calcutta online)
http://www.netguruindia.com/news/Nov99/17Nov99.html#s4
Dec 1999, Welsh Badminton Open
Richard’s first Welsh Open win and one of many A grade wins in this Olympic year, a very strong tournament and great for badminton in Wales with so many good players there. Greta wins for Richard over Kuijten, Hagberg, Bruijstens, and Wengberg in the final.
Olympic badminton qualification 2000
A lot of tournaments, generally all good, with wins in Slovenia, Wales, Cuba and Croatia with victories over Darren Hall, Oedum (x2), Wengberg, Wacha, Ng Wei, Aalto (x2), and Haughton. Reaching the final in Canada, Toulouse, and Dutch, with the main obstacles being Gopichand and Druzchenko. Richard had a good result in the Korean GP while being coached by Lee Jae Bok over Ohtsuka (Jpn), and then a highly ranked Polsana (Tha). There was a close 13&13 with Taufik in Taiwan the following week, and it was Druzchenko who beat Richard again in a close final of the 1* Polish Grand Prix.
April 2000, European Badmitnon Championships (Bronze Medal) - Glasgow
The last tournament in the long, tiring Olympic qualifying period. Nice to have it close to home in Scotland and just to make things difficult for himself, Richard came down with flu on the opening day of the team event! Thanks yet again to some help from the French Team (Ian Wright and Dr Levan) he was able to get some medication to subdue the affects. Richard played every singles, and a couple of mixed matches for the team which saw the team to its usual 3rd place in the group (mid table land), and some hard singles games against players from France, Finland, Russia, and Bulgaria. This, along with the mixed matches, and the flu left him running on empty for the individuals starting the next day. To guarantee qualification Richard needed to reach the Last 16 which was a case of beating players that were below him on the rankings (Richard was No28 at the time), which is never easy. All went well and he had a tough match with Wacha (Poland) in the last 16, a hard straight sets win. And then a quarter final match against Hagberg from Sweden (He had knocked out the ¾ seed Boesen) for a Bronze medal. Another 2 close sets saw him win 13&13. That left a semi final with Peter Gade who at the time was playing some of his best badminton. Richard could remember talking to his coach Ian Wright at the time regarding the prospect; he was tired from the seasons travel, & matches, never mind the weeks gruelling schedule with the team event and the flu to go on top. After a tongue wagging from Ian, despite his best efforts he was outplayed 4&5. Despite thinking he could relax and reflect a little at 11pm post match there was the drugs test remaining which left him in the hall until 1am!
The below par performance mixed with Peter being a bit good!
‘It was great to be on the podium along with Peter, Poul-Erik (Hoyer-Larsen), and Kenneth.’
August 2000, Olympic Games 2000 - Sydney
‘Excellent preparations and great to be part of the GB Team, for sure one of, if not they best organised teams at the Olympics.’ Richard had a tough draw with an opening match versus Polsana a very talented Thai player who was high on the world rankings (Highest No7). Thanks to some great preparation with Peter Knowles (other GB singles player) he won in two really hard games. The next round saw a match with Sweden’s Wengberg, winning 2&2. The Last 16 was always going to be tough against the World Champion Sun Jun, that said Richard put up a good test and played 100% of his level at the time, losing 11, & 9. ‘Generally a great 1st Olympics and ideal preparation for Athens when I hope to be a more complete player’.
Sept 2000, First time broke in to the World Badminton Top 10.(2000)
BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/1004122.stm )
Oct 2000, Danish Badmitnon Open – Copenhagen
Richards best result in a GP, ¼ Final of the 6* tournament, he beat World number 1 Roslin Hashim in the Last 16 in an hour and half, but then had some pretty taste blisters which meant he had to withdraw in the Quarter final after a few points against the Chinese No4. ‘Very disappointing to end like that, without knowing if I could have won’.
BBC http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/wales/992462.stm
Dec 2000, Welsh Badminton Open
An interview on the back of Richards 2nd Welsh Open win, again the tournament was very strong with its A grade status, arguably the strongest EBU circuit tournament. A tough final against English No1 Andrew South who could not have given him a closer game, Richard used his get out of jail card for the year!!
Vaughan speaks out on 5 x 7 scoring change. (http://www.badminton.online.ukgateway.net/vaughan.htm )
Feb 2001, Welsh Badminton National Championships
Welsh News (http://212.58.240.133/sport1/low/wales/1154641.stm )
Interview 2001
Interview given by Richard, with a Canadian sports company on Badminton in 2001.
http://www.prizmsports.com/secure/RVaughan1.html
March 2001, All England 2001 - Birmingham
Seeded No9 (highest) for the All England, Richard had a tricky draw with Rony (INA), and then Gade (DEN) to play, with the Japanese No1 in the first round. An ok performance but disappointing to lose in 3 to Rony in the Last 16, especially in a home event. Rony had some good results that year and was Indonesian No2/3, so not so bad.
Seedings http://hcs.harvard.edu/~badmintn/BBB/messages/56.html
BBC http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/wales/1207583.stm
BBC http://newssearch.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/wales/1209347.stm
March 2001, World Grand Prix Finals 2001 - Brunei
Selected for the Grand Prix finals in Brunei, qualifying in 8th position. A real tough tournament and the type of event there should be more of. Richards’s group was a little tricky! Olympic Champion Xingpeng, the new All England Champion Gopichand, and the easy game was with Luo Yigang!
Positions (http://www.badminton.online.ukgateway.net/granprix.htm )
Indian tribune (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010809/sports.htm#3 )
Daily Excelsior (http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/01aug09/sports.htm )
May 2001, World Badminton Championships 2001 - Seville
The Team event saw a tough first match against the All England winner Gopichand in the morning match in 30c heat, followed by mixed. Next was a tough match against Hong Kong losing to Haryanto, before an easier win over Finlands Aalto, and in the mixed a win against Aalto and Weckstroem. The playoff for relegation saw Wales against Austria, in the singles Richard won his singles against a Good Jurgen Koch in straight sets. But a frustrating final mixed match, in a tie in which Wales had already won, saw him injure his shoulder for the first time, most likely brought on by doubles events he was not use to.
India Tribune
( http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010529/sports.htm#14 )
Indian newspaper
( http://www.rediff.com/sports/2001/jun/06badm.htm )
Richard was seeded No9 in the individual and it had been the centre of training for the previous months; the draw could have been kinder! With Chinese No3 Chen Yu first round, then Wong Choong Han, followed by Taufik in the last 16!Yes that was Richard seeded 9 with those to play just to get to the Last 16!
The injured shoulder sustained in the team event had no chance of recovering with the individuals starting the next morning, despite doing his best he lost in two relatively straight sets, the injury along with Chen Yu being one of the Worlds best players just made things too difficult.
It was a difficult situation, ‘I don’t mind losing when I can give 100%, but to lose in such a big tournament without being able to play normally, specially knowing in how good shape I am is difficult. I have worked hard the last two years after a major hip operation, and it’s frustrating.’
Very difficult circumstances after spending the previous 10 weeks in Denmark with costly but perfect preparations, and his family all travelling to Seville with a small piece of hope, all being ended by a simple injury.
Chinese Daily
( http://english.people.com.cn/english/200106/06/eng20010606_71917.html )
March 2002, All England 2002 - Birmingham
Good tournament but again a loss in the last 16 vs. Chen Yu. An excellent first round win vs. Kaldau (Danish No3-4), and Anand (India No2).
Independent ( http://www.highbeam.com/library/doc0.asp?docid=1G1:83543765&refid=ink_tptd_np&skeyword=&teaser= )
March 2002, Swiss Open 2002 - Basle
A great tournament! Beating World No1 Hashim in 5 sets in the first round, possibly the longest game Richard has played in! ‘Felt like it anyhow!’ Then after 4 hours rest there was the prospect of playing Ng Wei (HK) another of the worlds best players, despite a close game he lost in 4 sets, ‘not much I could do after the Hashim match’. ‘In fairness Roslin Hashim has got to be one of the hardest players to have in the draw; you just know what you are going to get from the match! It’s not pleasant’.
SportingWales ( http://www.sportingwales.com/artman/publish/article_959.shtml )
April 2002, Japan Open 2002 - Tokyo
Again another high ranking with Richard at No10 for the Japan Open, in Tokyo. Some good early results losing in the last 16 against Korean No1 Shon in 3 games.
BBC ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/1247778.stm )
April 2002, European Championships 2002 - Malmo
The worst tournament of Richards’s career.
He won 2 matches in the team event, but then injured his shoulder again! during training. This was again frustrating given Richards chances of winning the Gold in the individuals (Gade was absent injured). Similar incident the previous year in the World Champs in Seville, the situation was albeit the same. Luckily for him there was a day of rest which allowed him to play, helped by the fact he was seeded 3 (Medal position) he had a good draw. However, disappointingly despite progressing to the quarter final he lost to a very good Wengberg (Sweden) in 5 close sets. ‘It was disappointing as its my first defeat to Rasmus in 5 against him’.
July 2002, Commonwealth Games 2002 - Manchester
Great tournament for Richard, despite the team losing early on in the group, and some distractions off court. The individual saw one of Richards’s hardest matches against Ronald Susilio of Singapore (World No5) in the Last 16 (also a grinding match with him in Team event). It was a tough 5 set victory and Richard was a little grateful that Ronald was worn out from numerous singles, doubles matches in the team event. Despite struggling the next day with the origins of his hip injury he managed to beat a persistent Gupta (India) in 4 sets, but the injury was all a bit too much to win the semi-final against sharp Lee from Malaysia.
Forum News
http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-6241.html
CG Medallists
http://sports123.com/bad/mco-s.html
Pre CG News (news India)
http://www.rediff.com/sports/2002/jul/22gopi.htm
August 2002, Indonesian Open 2002 - Surabaya
Malaysian press ( http://pub42.bravenet.com/forum/3602647232/fetch/44746/ )
Tough tournament on the back of the Commonwealths in Manchester so Richard was pretty tired, with some amazing wind to contend with as well as the heat. The Indonesian Open is a different breed of tournament to all others. A good first round win Vs Kuan Beng Hong one of the up and coming Malaysian players, but a bit of a trouncing by Rony in the windy conditions, ‘fair play he was very sharp’. (He went on to play a close final with Taufik). Despite having no problems with his hip in Asia on returning home he suffered a serious hip injury in training. Some 9 frustrating months of tests (in which Richard continued to play a few tournaments explaining some erratic results) doctors found a torn hip cartilage, most likely the aftermath of the first operation 5 years earlier and he needed another major operation. Thankfully due to some great doctors (Dr Carbon, and Surgeon Mr Villar) and physio (Neil Black) Richard was up and running and until now it seems to be holding up.
August 2003, World Championships 03 - Birmingham
The operation was 3 weeks prior to this, and Richard had been non-weight bearing for 2 ½ of these despite this he needed to play to pick up World ranking points for the Olympic qualification, a very difficult situation, and he found he needed to be quite strong as a person to get through this first little test in Olympic qualification. 1st Round loss to Frohlich (Czech) was not his best but he was only looking for the 90 world ranking points. ‘It’s a pity I was not a 100% fit as I would have loved to play in front of a full home crowd, at the time I can remember looking forward to the All England in just under 6 months time!’
Another positive was the appointment of Zhou Junling as National coach which allowed some much needed technical input to Richards’s game.
March 2004, All England 2004 - Birmingham
Despite only being some 6 months after his operation, and limited time for any training base due Olympic qualification and the constant tournament travelling he managed to put in his best result so far in his career with a win over the World Champion in the 2nd Round. ‘Despite any excuse he might have come up with it was a fair result on the day, no doubt he can play significantly better, but I was a bit surprised by an excuse finding Xia. I guess the Chinese don’t lose so much.’
However again the hip operation situation meant the Last 16 was impossible versus Taufik and he lost 12&8.
In the previous months despite some withdrawals due to his hip he had put in some good performances beating the Japanese Sato & Yamada (world 18&19), Korean No4 Jang, and a good 3 set match with Malaysia’s Lee Choong Wei in Thailand, and his ranking had risen to No31 from zero in just 6 months.
Deccan Herald ( http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/mar122004/sp6.asp )
Forum ( http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-14185.html )
Evening Standard ( http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/articles/9593700?source=EveningStandard )
August 2004, Olympic Games 2004 - Athens
The previous few months had been written off with a virus similar to Glandular fever. It started in Japan where Richard lost to Boesen extremely easily, playing with totally no energy, and went on to see him play inconsistently at the Europeans. Despite beating Ghaffer (England) comfortably in the team event he seemed to have no energy against Anderson (Norway) in the 2nd round of the individual, from 10-3 up he lost 10, and 3. On returning home Richard developed swollen glands, and had intense tiredness. Despite the best efforts of doctors in the following months he was unable to really put any consistent training together for Athens.
Despite the measly preparation Richard managed to beat Vasconcelos (World No33) in the first round 5&5 before losing to Shon of Korea (Silver medallist) in the Last 16. He was simply not in anywhere near enough shape to compete with Shon who was at a 100% of his level. ‘Disappointing as it was with a great draw and previously positive results against Shon I had won one, lost one record in a tight match, the ironic thing was that the previous weeks had seen my hip almost totally recover only now to be hit by this virus. Despite my own –ve experiences of Athens it was a great result for Britain with Gail and Nathan’s medal (thoroughly deserved), and generally everyone reaching preset targets.’
‘During the build up to Athens despite the difficult circumstances the rest of the GB team were all very positive, Lars Sologub, Andy Wood, and Doctors Budgett, and Carbon were all essential in my limited success given the tough circumstances.’
Team GB http://www.olympics.org.uk/athens/team_gb_cat.asp?AthleteID=131&SportNameId=3
Bios http://www.olympics.org.uk/teamgb/biogs_athens_teamlist.asp?SportNameId=3
http://www.athens2004.com/en/BadmintonMen/results?rsc=BDM001513&frag=BDM001513_C73
Local news http://archive.thisisgwent.co.uk/2004/08/18/
BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/badminton/3573826.stm
Olympic final ranking list http://users.skynet.be/hermandw/olymp/stbadms.html
Gopichand Badminton Academy
Great idea by Pullela, and the origins of my Academy here in Wales. As well as being a top player, you could not find a nicer guy.
Calcutta post (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040528/asp/sports/story_3302350.asp )
Richards first national u12 doubles title was with his cousin Simon Richards when he was 8. Both Simon and Richard were coached by Don Griffiths (RV Academy coach). Simon, Ian Sullivan, Anthony Clark and Richard were generally the best players through the age groups in the UK.
When 16 Richard’s Korean coach, Lee Jae Bok had just left the UK returning to Korea, despite this he reached the semi final of the Welsh Open with wins at the time over top Swedish player Hagberg, and top British player Anthony Bush, and won numerous Elite English GP events.
In Europe Dicky Palyama (Hol) and Richard were the top two juniors, at 18 Richard had a ranking of 54 in the World and Dicky had won the Austrian Open with victories over some notable opponents such as Pongratz of Germany. In January that year Richard spent 3 weeks in Korea training with Lee Jae Bok, and reached the Last 16 of the Korean Open beating the Japanese No1 Machida, the following week on returning from Korea while competing in an English GP event Richard first injured his hip, with the European Junior Championships 8 weeks away it was not the best timing. Richard was unable to train during the 8 weeks as every time he went on court the injury flared up, despite this he played the Europeans which saw him being No1 seed, and managed to beat some good players like Roch (Ger), Oedum (Den), and Hansen (Den) but lost to Dicky in the final 12 in the 3rd. Only anti-inflammatories were able to sub due the pain, and it was Richards first encounter with a very helpful French medical team.
On returning home local doctors were unable to find a problem and gave him the ok to play the World Champs in Scotland. This saw him play every mixed, and singles match for the team despite the pain, but by the end of it he needed to withdraw against Poland as things were too bad. The medical side of things had been very mismanaged for the previous 5 months. So Richard decided to take charge of things and contacted Dr Carbon (BOA) in London, after an operation and some 18 months off he was back playing though not totally pain free. The injury was very complicated, a form of osteoporosis which had made a bone in his hip (femur) vulnerable to injury, and Richard was warned to be careful with his playing load to avoid a future reoccurrence.
During this difficult time numerous people had been very supportive, a club in Denmark (Horsens), ran by Hans Jakobsen, had asked Richard to play for them. Despite his injury they were very patient and helped enormously in the recovery, and he enjoyed 2 years playing there. Dicky had maintained contact during this period. Ian Wright and Andrew Ryan who had both been impressed with Richard level pre injury had been encouraging contacts, as well had Lee Jae Bok who was back in Korea. Thanks to having good coaches available for advice in Andrew, Ian, and Lee, and the help of Horsens club, Ib Fredriksen, Hans and Zhang Qiang, Richard managed to get some quick results which took him up to World top 50 before Christmas, this only to come down with glandular fever which knocked him out until April 1999.
Apart for the Sudirman Cup (1999) Team event for Wales in May the next 6 months were spent only training in Denmark with Horsens, and Zhang.
Nov 1999, Toulouse Badminton Open
One of the first Olympic qualifying tournaments and a great start for qualification, losing to Gopichand close in the final. However Richard also had good wins over another extremely talented Indian player Nikhil Kanetkar in the semi final 13&13, and tough wins over other good European players in every round. A very tiring first tournament, and a bit achy the days after, walking down the stairs was challenging!
(Indian Express)
http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19991116/isp19106.html
(Calcutta online)
http://www.netguruindia.com/news/Nov99/17Nov99.html#s4
Dec 1999, Welsh Badminton Open
Richard’s first Welsh Open win and one of many A grade wins in this Olympic year, a very strong tournament and great for badminton in Wales with so many good players there. Greta wins for Richard over Kuijten, Hagberg, Bruijstens, and Wengberg in the final.
Olympic badminton qualification 2000
A lot of tournaments, generally all good, with wins in Slovenia, Wales, Cuba and Croatia with victories over Darren Hall, Oedum (x2), Wengberg, Wacha, Ng Wei, Aalto (x2), and Haughton. Reaching the final in Canada, Toulouse, and Dutch, with the main obstacles being Gopichand and Druzchenko. Richard had a good result in the Korean GP while being coached by Lee Jae Bok over Ohtsuka (Jpn), and then a highly ranked Polsana (Tha). There was a close 13&13 with Taufik in Taiwan the following week, and it was Druzchenko who beat Richard again in a close final of the 1* Polish Grand Prix.
April 2000, European Badmitnon Championships (Bronze Medal) - Glasgow
The last tournament in the long, tiring Olympic qualifying period. Nice to have it close to home in Scotland and just to make things difficult for himself, Richard came down with flu on the opening day of the team event! Thanks yet again to some help from the French Team (Ian Wright and Dr Levan) he was able to get some medication to subdue the affects. Richard played every singles, and a couple of mixed matches for the team which saw the team to its usual 3rd place in the group (mid table land), and some hard singles games against players from France, Finland, Russia, and Bulgaria. This, along with the mixed matches, and the flu left him running on empty for the individuals starting the next day. To guarantee qualification Richard needed to reach the Last 16 which was a case of beating players that were below him on the rankings (Richard was No28 at the time), which is never easy. All went well and he had a tough match with Wacha (Poland) in the last 16, a hard straight sets win. And then a quarter final match against Hagberg from Sweden (He had knocked out the ¾ seed Boesen) for a Bronze medal. Another 2 close sets saw him win 13&13. That left a semi final with Peter Gade who at the time was playing some of his best badminton. Richard could remember talking to his coach Ian Wright at the time regarding the prospect; he was tired from the seasons travel, & matches, never mind the weeks gruelling schedule with the team event and the flu to go on top. After a tongue wagging from Ian, despite his best efforts he was outplayed 4&5. Despite thinking he could relax and reflect a little at 11pm post match there was the drugs test remaining which left him in the hall until 1am!
The below par performance mixed with Peter being a bit good!
‘It was great to be on the podium along with Peter, Poul-Erik (Hoyer-Larsen), and Kenneth.’
August 2000, Olympic Games 2000 - Sydney
‘Excellent preparations and great to be part of the GB Team, for sure one of, if not they best organised teams at the Olympics.’ Richard had a tough draw with an opening match versus Polsana a very talented Thai player who was high on the world rankings (Highest No7). Thanks to some great preparation with Peter Knowles (other GB singles player) he won in two really hard games. The next round saw a match with Sweden’s Wengberg, winning 2&2. The Last 16 was always going to be tough against the World Champion Sun Jun, that said Richard put up a good test and played 100% of his level at the time, losing 11, & 9. ‘Generally a great 1st Olympics and ideal preparation for Athens when I hope to be a more complete player’.
Sept 2000, First time broke in to the World Badminton Top 10.(2000)
BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/1004122.stm )
Oct 2000, Danish Badmitnon Open – Copenhagen
Richards best result in a GP, ¼ Final of the 6* tournament, he beat World number 1 Roslin Hashim in the Last 16 in an hour and half, but then had some pretty taste blisters which meant he had to withdraw in the Quarter final after a few points against the Chinese No4. ‘Very disappointing to end like that, without knowing if I could have won’.
BBC http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/wales/992462.stm
Dec 2000, Welsh Badminton Open
An interview on the back of Richards 2nd Welsh Open win, again the tournament was very strong with its A grade status, arguably the strongest EBU circuit tournament. A tough final against English No1 Andrew South who could not have given him a closer game, Richard used his get out of jail card for the year!!
Vaughan speaks out on 5 x 7 scoring change. (http://www.badminton.online.ukgateway.net/vaughan.htm )
Feb 2001, Welsh Badminton National Championships
Welsh News (http://212.58.240.133/sport1/low/wales/1154641.stm )
Interview 2001
Interview given by Richard, with a Canadian sports company on Badminton in 2001.
http://www.prizmsports.com/secure/RVaughan1.html
March 2001, All England 2001 - Birmingham
Seeded No9 (highest) for the All England, Richard had a tricky draw with Rony (INA), and then Gade (DEN) to play, with the Japanese No1 in the first round. An ok performance but disappointing to lose in 3 to Rony in the Last 16, especially in a home event. Rony had some good results that year and was Indonesian No2/3, so not so bad.
Seedings http://hcs.harvard.edu/~badmintn/BBB/messages/56.html
BBC http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/wales/1207583.stm
BBC http://newssearch.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/wales/1209347.stm
March 2001, World Grand Prix Finals 2001 - Brunei
Selected for the Grand Prix finals in Brunei, qualifying in 8th position. A real tough tournament and the type of event there should be more of. Richards’s group was a little tricky! Olympic Champion Xingpeng, the new All England Champion Gopichand, and the easy game was with Luo Yigang!
Positions (http://www.badminton.online.ukgateway.net/granprix.htm )
Indian tribune (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010809/sports.htm#3 )
Daily Excelsior (http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/01aug09/sports.htm )
May 2001, World Badminton Championships 2001 - Seville
The Team event saw a tough first match against the All England winner Gopichand in the morning match in 30c heat, followed by mixed. Next was a tough match against Hong Kong losing to Haryanto, before an easier win over Finlands Aalto, and in the mixed a win against Aalto and Weckstroem. The playoff for relegation saw Wales against Austria, in the singles Richard won his singles against a Good Jurgen Koch in straight sets. But a frustrating final mixed match, in a tie in which Wales had already won, saw him injure his shoulder for the first time, most likely brought on by doubles events he was not use to.
India Tribune
( http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010529/sports.htm#14 )
Indian newspaper
( http://www.rediff.com/sports/2001/jun/06badm.htm )
Richard was seeded No9 in the individual and it had been the centre of training for the previous months; the draw could have been kinder! With Chinese No3 Chen Yu first round, then Wong Choong Han, followed by Taufik in the last 16!Yes that was Richard seeded 9 with those to play just to get to the Last 16!
The injured shoulder sustained in the team event had no chance of recovering with the individuals starting the next morning, despite doing his best he lost in two relatively straight sets, the injury along with Chen Yu being one of the Worlds best players just made things too difficult.
It was a difficult situation, ‘I don’t mind losing when I can give 100%, but to lose in such a big tournament without being able to play normally, specially knowing in how good shape I am is difficult. I have worked hard the last two years after a major hip operation, and it’s frustrating.’
Very difficult circumstances after spending the previous 10 weeks in Denmark with costly but perfect preparations, and his family all travelling to Seville with a small piece of hope, all being ended by a simple injury.
Chinese Daily
( http://english.people.com.cn/english/200106/06/eng20010606_71917.html )
March 2002, All England 2002 - Birmingham
Good tournament but again a loss in the last 16 vs. Chen Yu. An excellent first round win vs. Kaldau (Danish No3-4), and Anand (India No2).
Independent ( http://www.highbeam.com/library/doc0.asp?docid=1G1:83543765&refid=ink_tptd_np&skeyword=&teaser= )
March 2002, Swiss Open 2002 - Basle
A great tournament! Beating World No1 Hashim in 5 sets in the first round, possibly the longest game Richard has played in! ‘Felt like it anyhow!’ Then after 4 hours rest there was the prospect of playing Ng Wei (HK) another of the worlds best players, despite a close game he lost in 4 sets, ‘not much I could do after the Hashim match’. ‘In fairness Roslin Hashim has got to be one of the hardest players to have in the draw; you just know what you are going to get from the match! It’s not pleasant’.
SportingWales ( http://www.sportingwales.com/artman/publish/article_959.shtml )
April 2002, Japan Open 2002 - Tokyo
Again another high ranking with Richard at No10 for the Japan Open, in Tokyo. Some good early results losing in the last 16 against Korean No1 Shon in 3 games.
BBC ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/1247778.stm )
April 2002, European Championships 2002 - Malmo
The worst tournament of Richards’s career.
He won 2 matches in the team event, but then injured his shoulder again! during training. This was again frustrating given Richards chances of winning the Gold in the individuals (Gade was absent injured). Similar incident the previous year in the World Champs in Seville, the situation was albeit the same. Luckily for him there was a day of rest which allowed him to play, helped by the fact he was seeded 3 (Medal position) he had a good draw. However, disappointingly despite progressing to the quarter final he lost to a very good Wengberg (Sweden) in 5 close sets. ‘It was disappointing as its my first defeat to Rasmus in 5 against him’.
July 2002, Commonwealth Games 2002 - Manchester
Great tournament for Richard, despite the team losing early on in the group, and some distractions off court. The individual saw one of Richards’s hardest matches against Ronald Susilio of Singapore (World No5) in the Last 16 (also a grinding match with him in Team event). It was a tough 5 set victory and Richard was a little grateful that Ronald was worn out from numerous singles, doubles matches in the team event. Despite struggling the next day with the origins of his hip injury he managed to beat a persistent Gupta (India) in 4 sets, but the injury was all a bit too much to win the semi-final against sharp Lee from Malaysia.
Forum News
http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-6241.html
CG Medallists
http://sports123.com/bad/mco-s.html
Pre CG News (news India)
http://www.rediff.com/sports/2002/jul/22gopi.htm
August 2002, Indonesian Open 2002 - Surabaya
Malaysian press ( http://pub42.bravenet.com/forum/3602647232/fetch/44746/ )
Tough tournament on the back of the Commonwealths in Manchester so Richard was pretty tired, with some amazing wind to contend with as well as the heat. The Indonesian Open is a different breed of tournament to all others. A good first round win Vs Kuan Beng Hong one of the up and coming Malaysian players, but a bit of a trouncing by Rony in the windy conditions, ‘fair play he was very sharp’. (He went on to play a close final with Taufik). Despite having no problems with his hip in Asia on returning home he suffered a serious hip injury in training. Some 9 frustrating months of tests (in which Richard continued to play a few tournaments explaining some erratic results) doctors found a torn hip cartilage, most likely the aftermath of the first operation 5 years earlier and he needed another major operation. Thankfully due to some great doctors (Dr Carbon, and Surgeon Mr Villar) and physio (Neil Black) Richard was up and running and until now it seems to be holding up.
August 2003, World Championships 03 - Birmingham
The operation was 3 weeks prior to this, and Richard had been non-weight bearing for 2 ½ of these despite this he needed to play to pick up World ranking points for the Olympic qualification, a very difficult situation, and he found he needed to be quite strong as a person to get through this first little test in Olympic qualification. 1st Round loss to Frohlich (Czech) was not his best but he was only looking for the 90 world ranking points. ‘It’s a pity I was not a 100% fit as I would have loved to play in front of a full home crowd, at the time I can remember looking forward to the All England in just under 6 months time!’
Another positive was the appointment of Zhou Junling as National coach which allowed some much needed technical input to Richards’s game.
March 2004, All England 2004 - Birmingham
Despite only being some 6 months after his operation, and limited time for any training base due Olympic qualification and the constant tournament travelling he managed to put in his best result so far in his career with a win over the World Champion in the 2nd Round. ‘Despite any excuse he might have come up with it was a fair result on the day, no doubt he can play significantly better, but I was a bit surprised by an excuse finding Xia. I guess the Chinese don’t lose so much.’
However again the hip operation situation meant the Last 16 was impossible versus Taufik and he lost 12&8.
In the previous months despite some withdrawals due to his hip he had put in some good performances beating the Japanese Sato & Yamada (world 18&19), Korean No4 Jang, and a good 3 set match with Malaysia’s Lee Choong Wei in Thailand, and his ranking had risen to No31 from zero in just 6 months.
Deccan Herald ( http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/mar122004/sp6.asp )
Forum ( http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-14185.html )
Evening Standard ( http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/articles/9593700?source=EveningStandard )
August 2004, Olympic Games 2004 - Athens
The previous few months had been written off with a virus similar to Glandular fever. It started in Japan where Richard lost to Boesen extremely easily, playing with totally no energy, and went on to see him play inconsistently at the Europeans. Despite beating Ghaffer (England) comfortably in the team event he seemed to have no energy against Anderson (Norway) in the 2nd round of the individual, from 10-3 up he lost 10, and 3. On returning home Richard developed swollen glands, and had intense tiredness. Despite the best efforts of doctors in the following months he was unable to really put any consistent training together for Athens.
Despite the measly preparation Richard managed to beat Vasconcelos (World No33) in the first round 5&5 before losing to Shon of Korea (Silver medallist) in the Last 16. He was simply not in anywhere near enough shape to compete with Shon who was at a 100% of his level. ‘Disappointing as it was with a great draw and previously positive results against Shon I had won one, lost one record in a tight match, the ironic thing was that the previous weeks had seen my hip almost totally recover only now to be hit by this virus. Despite my own –ve experiences of Athens it was a great result for Britain with Gail and Nathan’s medal (thoroughly deserved), and generally everyone reaching preset targets.’
‘During the build up to Athens despite the difficult circumstances the rest of the GB team were all very positive, Lars Sologub, Andy Wood, and Doctors Budgett, and Carbon were all essential in my limited success given the tough circumstances.’
Team GB http://www.olympics.org.uk/athens/team_gb_cat.asp?AthleteID=131&SportNameId=3
Bios http://www.olympics.org.uk/teamgb/biogs_athens_teamlist.asp?SportNameId=3
http://www.athens2004.com/en/BadmintonMen/results?rsc=BDM001513&frag=BDM001513_C73
Local news http://archive.thisisgwent.co.uk/2004/08/18/
BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/badminton/3573826.stm
Olympic final ranking list http://users.skynet.be/hermandw/olymp/stbadms.html
Gopichand Badminton Academy
Great idea by Pullela, and the origins of my Academy here in Wales. As well as being a top player, you could not find a nicer guy.
Calcutta post (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040528/asp/sports/story_3302350.asp )
