FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 10, 1996


HAN SHOCKS RIMARODI IN FIRST ROUND OF CHINESE-TAIPEI OPEN


(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.) -- Kevin Han (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
started his 1996 badminton campaign off with a bang today, as he
blasted 21st ranked Indonesian George Rimarodi 15-7, 15-7 in the
opening round of the 1996 Chinese-Taipei Open.  This marks the highest
ranked player to date Han has defeated in his blossoming career. The
victory is the second big one in a span of two weeks for Han.  On
December 23, he defeated Pan American Games gold medalist and 47th
ranked Jaimie Dawson 17-14, 15-10 at the Hong Ta Shan Cup
International Badminton Championships (Los Angeles, Calif., December
18-23).  Han, 23, is currently ranked 36th in the world in men's
singles.     Han and partner Tom Reidy (Brooklyn, N.Y.) also found
success in the first round of men's doubles competition, as they
defeated Singapore's Sian-Peng Tan and Kim-Pong Patrick Lau 15-9,
15-4.  The duo will face a far greater challenge tomorrow however, as
they take on 15th ranked Simon D. Archer and Chris Hunt.  Han and
Reidy are currently ranked 30th in the world in men's doubles. The
Chinese-Taipei Open (Taipei, Taiwan, January 10-14) is a 5-star event
on the IBF's World Grand Prix Badminton circuit, featuring $125,000 in
prize money.  

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