4 Nov 2008

World number one for NZ Badminton Open

4:14 pm on 4 November 2008

The New Zealand Open badminton Grand Prix will have a current world number one competing for the first time.

Zhou Mi from Hong Kong had initially entered as the world Number three and defending champion, but she has since risen to the top ranking.

The tournament starts in week at the North Shore Events Centre and is broadcast live to countirs such as China, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Mi is in a tight battle with Denmark's Tine Rassmusen and China's Lu Lan for the top ranking .

Waitakere's Dan Shirley a world championship bronze medalist and silver medalist at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games is returning after retiring a year ago and will team up with John Gordon in the men's doubles.