1952 Thomas Cup
Encyclopedia
The Thomas Cup competition is an international team tournament for supremacy in men's badminton
(its female counterpart is the Uber Cup
). Beginning in 1948-1949
, it was held every three years until 1982
and thereafter has been held every two years. Twelve national teams contested for the Thomas Cup in the 1951-1952 badminton season, the tournament's second edition. According to the rules then in place Malaya
was exempt from earlier ties (team matches), needing only to defend its title in a conclusive challenge round tie. The other contestants were divided into three regional qualifying zones, the Pacific, Europe, and Pan America, for the early ties. The winners of each zone then played-off in Malaya for the right to face Malaya in the challenge round. For a more detailed description of the Thomas Cup format see Wikipedia's general article on the Thomas Cup
.
qualified in the Pacific zone by beating newcomers Thailand
and Australia without the loss of a match (thus, 9–0 in each case). Six of the twelve teams in the tournament contested in the European zone. Here Denmark
emerged victorious, but not without a tough fight from Sweden
(6–3) in the zone semifinal. In the Pan American zone with only two teams, the United States
defeated Canada
6–3, trumping a fine performance by Canada's
Don Smythe
.
Americas United States
Pacific India
Malaya
(Exempt until challenge round)
Europe Denmark
In a three way single elimination tournament within a tournament, the USA received the bye and awaited the winner of the tie between Denmark and India. The results here surprised some as the Danes, affected more by Kuala Lumpur's heat and humidity, were defeated 3–6. Either Trilok Nath Seth or Devinder Mohan Lal figured in all of the matches won by India. Three days later in Singapore, however, thirty-six year old Marten Mendez
, who seemed to draw strength from the 40 degree Celsius heat inside Happy World Stadium, beat both Seth and Devinder in singles, helping The USA to a 4–1 lead. India then gamely fought back to win a series of close matches and pull even at four matches each. It was left to the strong U.S. doubles team of Joe Alston
and Wynn Rogers
to fight back from near defeat in the final match and clinch the victory for the Americans.
was further weakened when Joe Alston, a newly employed agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI), was denied an extension of his leave. It faced a formidable Malayan squad, in Malaya, led by the cool and graceful Wong Peng Soon
who, though almost as old as Marten Mendez, was still in his prime. He proved this by defeating Mendez and Dick Mitchell routinely in straight games. Malaya's most effective team member, however, might have been the quick and tenacious Ong Poh Lim
who routed his opponent in the third singles match and won both of his doubles matches with Ismail bin Marjan. For the Americans, the exceptionally fit Mendez forced a third game default from Ooi Teik Hock
while doubles specialist Wynn Rogers and hard smashing Bobby Williams split two close encounters with their Malayan counterparts. It was not enough against a deeper lineup, and Malaya retained the Thomas Cup at seven matches to two.
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
(its female counterpart is the Uber Cup
Uber Cup
The Uber Cup, sometimes called the World Team Championships for Women, is a major international badminton competition contested by women's national badminton teams. First held in 1956-1957 and contested at three year intervals, it has been contested every two years since 1984 when its scheduled...
). Beginning in 1948-1949
1949 Thomas Cup
The 1949 Thomas Cup was the inaugural tournament of Thomas Cup, the most important men's badminton team competition in the world.The tournament was originally planned for 1941-1942 , but was delayed when World War II exploded across the continents...
, it was held every three years until 1982
1982 Thomas Cup
The 1982 Thomas Cup was the 12th tournament of Thomas Cup, the most important men's badminton team competition in the world. The final round was held in London, England.China won its first title after beating Indonesia in the final round.-Teams:...
and thereafter has been held every two years. Twelve national teams contested for the Thomas Cup in the 1951-1952 badminton season, the tournament's second edition. According to the rules then in place Malaya
Malaysia national badminton team
The Malaysia national badminton team is a badminton team that plays for Malaysia in international competitions. The men's team has enjoyed immense success, having won the Thomas Cup five times, most recently in 1992...
was exempt from earlier ties (team matches), needing only to defend its title in a conclusive challenge round tie. The other contestants were divided into three regional qualifying zones, the Pacific, Europe, and Pan America, for the early ties. The winners of each zone then played-off in Malaya for the right to face Malaya in the challenge round. For a more detailed description of the Thomas Cup format see Wikipedia's general article on the Thomas Cup
Thomas Cup
The Thomas Cup, sometimes called the World Men's Team Championships, is an international badminton competition among teams representing member nations of the Badminton World Federation , the sport's global governing body...
.
Intra-zone summary
IndiaIndia national badminton team
India National Badminton team represents India in international team badminton. The Indian team competed in the 2011 Sudirman Cup and shared the fifth rank with three other teams, what is up to now the best performance in the Sudirman Cup.-Thomas and Uber cup:...
qualified in the Pacific zone by beating newcomers Thailand
Thailand national badminton team
The Thailand national badminton team represents Thailand in international badminton team competitions.-Participation in BWF competitions:Thomas Cup *1958 - Final round *1961 - Runner-up*1964 - Final round *1973 - Semi-finalist...
and Australia without the loss of a match (thus, 9–0 in each case). Six of the twelve teams in the tournament contested in the European zone. Here Denmark
Denmark national badminton team
The Denmark national badminton team is a badminton team located in Denmark and represents the nation of Denmark in international badminton team competitions...
emerged victorious, but not without a tough fight from Sweden
Sweden national badminton team
The Sweden national badminton team represents Sweden in international badminton team competitions.-Participation in BWF competitions:Thomas Cup *1984 - 7th / 8th*1986 - 7th / 8th*1988 - 7th / 8th*1990 - 7th / 8th*1992 - 5th / 6th...
(6–3) in the zone semifinal. In the Pan American zone with only two teams, the United States
United States national badminton team
The United States national badminton team represents the United States in international badminton team competitions.-Participation in BWF competitions:Thomas Cup *1952 - Runner-upUber Cup *1957 - Winner*1960 - Winner*1963 - Winner...
defeated Canada
Canada national badminton team
The Canada national badminton team represents Canada in international badminton team competitions.-Participation in BWF competitions:Team Canada at 2011 Sudirman Cup in Qingdao, China.Men: Stephan Wojcikiewicz Derrick Ng Adrian Liu...
6–3, trumping a fine performance by Canada's
Don Smythe
Donald Smythe
Donald Smythe is a former Canadian badminton player who won nine Canadian national titles and represented his country internationally during the 1950s. Known for his tenacity and consistency, Smythe is the only North American, besides the legendary Dave Freeman to reach the final round of men's...
.
Inter-zone playoffs
The following four teams, shown by region, qualified for the 1952 Thomas Cup. Defending champion and host Malaya automatically qualified to defend the title it had won three years previously.Americas United States
United States national badminton team
The United States national badminton team represents the United States in international badminton team competitions.-Participation in BWF competitions:Thomas Cup *1952 - Runner-upUber Cup *1957 - Winner*1960 - Winner*1963 - Winner...
Pacific India
India national badminton team
India National Badminton team represents India in international team badminton. The Indian team competed in the 2011 Sudirman Cup and shared the fifth rank with three other teams, what is up to now the best performance in the Sudirman Cup.-Thomas and Uber cup:...
Malaya
Malaysia national badminton team
The Malaysia national badminton team is a badminton team that plays for Malaysia in international competitions. The men's team has enjoyed immense success, having won the Thomas Cup five times, most recently in 1992...
(Exempt until challenge round)
Europe Denmark
Denmark national badminton team
The Denmark national badminton team is a badminton team located in Denmark and represents the nation of Denmark in international badminton team competitions...
In a three way single elimination tournament within a tournament, the USA received the bye and awaited the winner of the tie between Denmark and India. The results here surprised some as the Danes, affected more by Kuala Lumpur's heat and humidity, were defeated 3–6. Either Trilok Nath Seth or Devinder Mohan Lal figured in all of the matches won by India. Three days later in Singapore, however, thirty-six year old Marten Mendez
Marten Mendez
Marten Mendez was an American badminton player who won national titles and represented his country internationally in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Known for his swift court coverage and stamina, Mendez won the U.S. men's singles title in 1949, 1950, and 1952, and reached the final in 1948 and...
, who seemed to draw strength from the 40 degree Celsius heat inside Happy World Stadium, beat both Seth and Devinder in singles, helping The USA to a 4–1 lead. India then gamely fought back to win a series of close matches and pull even at four matches each. It was left to the strong U.S. doubles team of Joe Alston
Joseph Cameron Alston
Joseph Cameron Alston was an American badminton player who won major titles between 1951 and 1967.- Career :...
and Wynn Rogers
T. Wynn Rogers
T. Wynn Rogers was an American badminton player who won numerous U.S. national titles from the late 1940s to the mid 1960’s.-Career:...
to fight back from near defeat in the final match and clinch the victory for the Americans.
| India India national badminton team India National Badminton team represents India in international team badminton. The Indian team competed in the 2011 Sudirman Cup and shared the fifth rank with three other teams, what is up to now the best performance in the Sudirman Cup.-Thomas and Uber cup:...  |
6–3 |  DenmarkDenmark national badminton team The Denmark national badminton team is a badminton team located in Denmark and represents the nation of Denmark in international badminton team competitions... |
Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million... |
| United States United States national badminton team The United States national badminton team represents the United States in international badminton team competitions.-Participation in BWF competitions:Thomas Cup *1952 - Runner-upUber Cup *1957 - Winner*1960 - Winner*1963 - Winner...  |
5–4 | India India national badminton team India National Badminton team represents India in international team badminton. The Indian team competed in the 2011 Sudirman Cup and shared the fifth rank with three other teams, what is up to now the best performance in the Sudirman Cup.-Thomas and Uber cup:... |
Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
Challenge round
An American team that no longer had the legendary Dave FreemanDavid G. Freeman
Dr. David G. Freeman was an American badminton player from California who became an icon in the sport's history.-Badminton career:...
was further weakened when Joe Alston, a newly employed agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
(FBI), was denied an extension of his leave. It faced a formidable Malayan squad, in Malaya, led by the cool and graceful Wong Peng Soon
Wong Peng Soon
Wong Peng Soon, MBE was an Ethnic Chinese badminton player who reigned as a top player in Malaya from the 1930s to the 1950s...
who, though almost as old as Marten Mendez, was still in his prime. He proved this by defeating Mendez and Dick Mitchell routinely in straight games. Malaya's most effective team member, however, might have been the quick and tenacious Ong Poh Lim
Ong Poh Lim
Ong Poh Lim was a Malayan/Singaporean badminton player who won numerous national and international titles from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. In 1954 he shared the prestigious All-England men's doubles title with Ooi Teik Hock, having previously reached the finals of both singles and doubles...
who routed his opponent in the third singles match and won both of his doubles matches with Ismail bin Marjan. For the Americans, the exceptionally fit Mendez forced a third game default from Ooi Teik Hock
Ooi Teik Hock
Ooi Teik Hock was a Malayan badminton player who won Malayan national titles and represented his country in team and individual competition between 1939 and 1958. Teik Hock played on four consecutive Malayan Thomas Cup teams the first three of which claimed world titles...
while doubles specialist Wynn Rogers and hard smashing Bobby Williams split two close encounters with their Malayan counterparts. It was not enough against a deeper lineup, and Malaya retained the Thomas Cup at seven matches to two.
Awards
| 1952 Thomas Cup Winner |
|---|
 Malaya Malaysia national badminton team The Malaysia national badminton team is a badminton team that plays for Malaysia in international competitions. The men's team has enjoyed immense success, having won the Thomas Cup five times, most recently in 1992... Second title |