Distraught Chong Wei gets a two-day break from training
News 3:16 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Lee Chong Wei’s preparations for the Asian Badminton Championships (ABC), starting in Johor Baru next week, was disrupted when a close relative passed away on Monday, forcing coach Misbun Sidek to give him a two-day break.
Misbun gave him the break on compassionate grounds, saying it was to give his charge time to sort out his personal matters.
“He became emotional after hearing the news. I saw him crying in one corner and he was very emotional.
“It was better for him to take a break because he was under no condition to concentrate on training,” said Misbun, who expects Chong Wei, who went outstation to pay his respects, to be back for training by today.
Chong Wei, the current world No. 2, will need to be at his best if he hopes to regain the Asian title he won in 2006.
All the top men’s singles players, including world No. 1 Lin Dan, have indicated to the organisers that they will be taking part in the Asian meet, which is the last competition in Asia offering ranking points towards qualification for the Beijing Olympics in August.
Also in the fray are China’s All-England champion Chen Jin, his team-mate Bao Chunlai and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia.
“Although it is not a Super Series tournament, the Asian meet will be the strongest if all the top singles player are assembled here next week,” said Misbun.
“I take this as part of his preparation towards the Olympics. The intensity of training has not changed despite him not playing in any international meets for the last three weeks.
“It will also be a good test of his ability to handle the pressure because it is held on home ground and expectations to win will be there. If he can pull it off, it will be good for him.”
Chong Wei lost to Taufik in the quarter-finals in the Asian meet last year.
Having won the Malaysian Open at the start of the year, success in Johor Baru will be a timely boost to his confidence ahead of the Thomas Cup Finals in Jakarta next month.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 3:16 PM.
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