Left to right : Charoen Wattanassin (Blue tie - President of the Badminton Association of Thailand),  Mr. Koichi Sugiura (President of JVC Sales & Service Thailand Co., Ltd.), James White (IMG, Director of Badminton), Thai Busan Asian Games Mixed Doubles Silver Medalists - Kunakorn Sudhisodhi and Saralee Thoungthongkam, Thai 98 Asian Games Men's Doubles Champions- Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana Panvisvas.

The JVC ABC 2002 will be held this year at the Nimibutr Gymnasium in the heart of Bangkok.  This year’s event, the 22nd time that the JVC ABC has been held, will feature Asia’s top players fighting for USD 150,000 in prize money.  Last week’s Asian Games Medallists, from China, Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia will be out in force. 

The Thai men’s team which won the bronze medal featuring individual men’s doubles silver medallists Tesana Panvisavas/Pramote Teerawiwatana will have a chance to win in front of its home crowd.  Thial ladies’ doubles players Saralee Thungthongkam/Sathinee Chankrajangwong, Taiwanchampions, will also be among the favorites.

10 countries have already forwarded their detailed participant listings.  China heads the listings with its full team including the entire Asian Games Gold Medallist Women’s team and Silver Medallist Men’s team.  Other notable entries are India, Singapore and Taiwan.  The ABC is waiting for another 15 countries who have yet to send their final list.

Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana Panvisvas showed the correct way how to do serve in doubles.

Both media and fans alike can get the latest news on the JVC ABC event through the event website:  www.jvc-badminton.com.  The website will include all of the news leading up to the event as well as information about the event’s history, contests, games and opportunities to chat with other badminton fans and ask questions to top Asian players.