MARCH 31, 1996
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BUTLER BLASTS HAN, WINS YONEX U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

(ATLANTA, Ga.) -- The Butler did in fact do it at the 1996 Yonex
U.S. National Championships, as former British champion Steve
Butler (Miller Place, N.Y.) smashed defending champion Kevin Han
(Colorado Springs, Colo.) 15-2, 15-11 to win the National men's
single title.
Butler, playing in his first U.S. National Championships, was
ecstatic following his victory.
"It was great to defeat the tournament's two big guns and win the
title.  My plan was to keep the bird low so Kev couldn't use his
smash, and that plan worked very well today."
Han just could not do anything right today, and nerves may have
been a big factor in his demise.
"I was a little nervous going in to the match because I wanted to
beat Butler so badly," said Han.
"I have to hand it to Steve, he executed extremely well today."
There was a bright side for Han in the men's doubles however, as
he and partner Tom Reidy (Tempe, Ariz.) knocked off Ben Lee (San
Jose, Calif.) and Andy Chong (Miami Lakes, Fla.) 15-8, 18-13. 
Down 13-5 in the second, it appeared the match would go three
games, but Reidy and Han went on a 13-0 rally to win the game 18-
13, and the match.  The victory marked Reidy's sixth consecutive
national men's doubles title.
Tang Yeping (Gaithersburg, Md.) was a force on the women's side,
winning with ease over Andrea Andersson (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
in singles 11-6, 11-4.  She and partner Chong then went on to win
a hard fought mixed doubles title over Andersson and Mike Edstrom
(Denver, Colo.) 12-15, 15-8, 15-6.  Three was not a charm for
Tang today however, as Kathy Zimmerman (Denver, Colo.) and Ann
French (La Jolla, Calif.) shocked the this far unbeatable Tang
and Andersson in women's doubles 15-7, 8-15, 15-9.
"This is the biggest victory of my career this far," said
Zimmerman.
"second Place isn't fun; it's really great to finally win a
national title."
Also today, USBA Board of Directors member Don Chew (Orange,
Calif.) announced that the 1997 U.S. National Championships will
be held next spring at his new 18-court Orange County Badminton
Club.  Chew is personally financing the entire project as a
service to the badminton community.
After a two day layoff, over 145 shuttlers will return to the
Georgia State University Sports Arena for the 1996 Yonex U.S.
National Junior Championships (April 4-7).  Admission is free and
open to the public.






Sunday's Final Results - 1996 Yonex U.S. National Badminton
Championships:

Men's Singles
Steve Butler (Miller Place, N.Y.) def. Kevin Han (Colorado
Springs, Colo.) 15-2, 15-11

Women's Singles
Tang Yeping (Gaithersburg, Md.) def. Andrea Andersson (Colorado
Springs, Colo.) 11-6, 11-4

Men's Doubles
Kevin Han and Tom Reidy (Tempe, Ariz.) def. Andy Chong (Miami
Lakes, Fla.) and Ben Lee (San Jose, Calif.) 15-8, 18-13

Women's Doubles
Kathy Zimmerman (Denver, Colo.) and Ann French (La Jolla, Calif.)
def. Tang Yeping and Andrea Andersson 15-7, 8-15, 15-9

Mixed Doubles
Andy Chong and Tang Yeping def. Mike Edstrom (Denver, Colo.) and
Andrea Andersson 12-15, 15-8, 15-6

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(FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT PAUL PAWLACZYK, USBA
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AT 719-578-4808).