top of page

Our Coaching Team

Synergy Badminton Academy opened in Fall 2012 under the guidance of founder and Olympic Coach, Ben Lee. Through his 40+ years of experience, Ben has cultivated a team of the most sought-after badminton instructors, bringing forth a wholistic and innovative training program, a welcoming environment for all players, and unprecented service. Please meet our team!

Screen Shot 2019-09-17 at 12_edited.png
Ben Lee
Founder / 2012 Olympic Coach / 1992 US Olympian

 

​

  • 2012 National Coach of the Year

  • Head coach 2012 US Olympic Badminton Team

  • US Badminton coach 2011 Pan American Games

  • 1992 US Badminton Olympian

  • Represented US in over 40 worldwide tournaments

  • 9-times US Men Doubles Champion

  • US Badminton Walk of the Fame
     

Screen Shot 2019-09-17 at 12.24_edited.p
Howard Bach
Co-Founder / Coach / 2004, 2008, 2012 US Olympian

​

​

  • 3-times US Badminton Olympian (2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing, 2012 London)

  • 2005 Doubles World Champion

  • 18-times US National Champion

  • 3-times Pan American Games Gold Medalist

  • Represented US in over 40 worldwide tournaments

  • 2005 US Olympic Committee Overall Team of the Year

  • US Badminton Walk of the Fame

​​​
 

IMG_5044.jpg
Naoko Fukuman
Coach

 

​​

  • 2015 World Championships Bronze Medalist

  • 2007 - 2018 Japan National Team Member 

  • 2018 Victor Korea Open Bronze Medalist

  • 2016, 2017 Yonex Sunrise India Open Silver Medalist

  • 2017 Daihatsu Yonex Japan Open Bronze Medalist

  • 2017 Danisha Denmark Open Bronze Medalist

  • 2016 Deng FengCitreon Badminton Asia Championship Silver Medalist

  • 2016 Xiamenair Australian Badminton Open Bronze Medalist

  • 2015 Yonex Sunrise Hong Kong Open Bronze Medalist

Screen Shot 2019-09-17 at 12.33_edited.png
Kenny Chung
Coach 
​

​​

  • 3-times Northern California Intercollegiate Badminton League Champions

  • 1989 Doubles Italian American Open Champion

  • 1993 Coach of the Year

  • 1986 - 1993 Head Coach at Woodrow Wilson High School

  • 1996 Most Honorable Coach

  • 1994 - 1997 International Studies Academy

Screen Shot 2019-09-17 at 12.31_edited.png
Balram Thapa
Coach

 

​​

  • 3-times Nepal National Champions

  • 2004 Pakistan Team Event Bronze Medalist

  • 2005 Sri Lanka Bronze Medalist

  • 2006 Sri Lanka Team Event Bronze Medalist

  • 2007 Pakistan Bronze Medalist

  • 2009 Boston Open Semifinalist

  • Represented Nepal over 25 worldwide tournaments

Screen Shot 2019-12-04 at 5.50.03 PM.png
Bo Zhao
Coach

 

​​

  • Ken Davidson Sportsmanship Award recipient

  • USAB Certified High Performance 1 coach

  • Represented the US in over 10 international tournaments

  • 2018 US Adult Nationals Silver Medalist

  • Former Athlete Representative for USAB Ethics Committee

  • 2018 UC Davis Open Goldmedalist

bottom of page