Yili Wei and Yawen Zhang of China react to their victory in the Women's Badminton Bronze Medal Match. Photograph by Donald Miralle for NEWSWEEK
Chong Wei Lee of Malaysia dives for a shuttlecock. Photograph by Donald Miralle for NEWSWEEK
Hyunil Lee of Korea dives for the shuttlecock. Photograph by Donald Miralle for NEWSWEEK
Chong Wei Lee of Malaysia reacts to his win over Hyunil Lee of Korea. Photograph by Donald Miralle for NEWSWEEK
This guy's a crowd-pleaser. Photograph by Donald Miralle for NEWSWEEK
The “b” in badminton stands for bad-ass. It’s a blast to watch, fast-paced action with guys leaping around on a mini-tennis court smashing a thing called a shuttlecock. The fans are into it, the players get into it and at the end of a good match you’re guaranteed a screaming jubo. It has everything you would want in a Olympic Sport. After the Games are over I might check with the International Badminton Federation and see if they need an official photographer.
In tonight’s Semi-Final and Bronze medal matches I found myself sitting next to a Getty shooter and friend Streeter Lecka (yes that’s his real name) and we were laughing and screaming the entire time we were shooting because it was so much fun. The Chinese crowd in the building was cheering on every point and the photo team at the venue couldn’t be more helpful and accommodating. By far the best experience so far at the games. It was great to get images that made up for the first half of the day which was a nightmare and salvage the day by ending it on a good note.
Hope you like the pics.
