Fresh Lee ready for singles challenge
Latest News 11:21 AM
SHUTTLER Lee Chong Wei is like a wounded tiger, ready to
pounce and go for the kill in the individual competition, which begins
today at the Tianhe Gymnasium.
The 28-year-old, who is looking in better shape after a bout of fever, is grateful for the three-day buffer to regroup after the demoralising defeat by Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana that led to a 2-3 defeat for Malaysia in the team quarter-finals last Saturday.
“The individual competition starts tomorrow but I will only get into action on the third day (on Thursday). It gives me a few days more to work on my fitness and regain my focus,” said Chong Wei, who is aiming to win his first Asiad gold medal.
The top seed has a first-round bye and will probably take on Hong Kong’s Chan Yan Kit in his opening match.
A win should pit Chong Wei against Boonsak again and the Malaysian will be happy to get the opportunity to avenge his earlier defeat.
“The defeat by Thailand was a painful one for Malaysia. I took the risk to play even though I was down with fever. We didn’t really have much choice, anyway,” said Chong Wei yesterday.
“I chose not to concede a walkover. I gave my best under the circumstances. Unfortunately for me, Boonsak was too good on the day.
“My defeat gave the juniors the opportunities to play and feel the pressure of playing in a team event. They lost but they gained some valuable experience.
“Now, I have a chance to play against Boonsak again and I will be better prepared if I were to face him.”
Chong Wei said the setback had not clouded his focus on achieving a better result in his second Asiad.
“I won a bronze in Doha (four years ago). I want to get to the final here and stay focused,” he said.
The others in Chong Wei’s half of the draw are Chen Jin of China and Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro. The other half has second seed Lin Dan of China, Indonesian Taufik Hidayat and South Korean Park Sung-hwan.
Malaysian team manager Datuk Maijol Manap is confident that the players will get back on their feet to get good results.
“We unexpectedly lost to Thailand. It even surprised the Thais. This is sports and it can sometimes be cruel,” he said.
“We have to bite the bullet and move forward. The players are bruised but the Games are not over yet for us.
“We are banking on Chong Wei and Koo (Kien Keat)-Tan (Boon Heong) to rise to the occasion. I am happy to note that team morale is still high despite the setback.”
The 28-year-old, who is looking in better shape after a bout of fever, is grateful for the three-day buffer to regroup after the demoralising defeat by Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana that led to a 2-3 defeat for Malaysia in the team quarter-finals last Saturday.
“The individual competition starts tomorrow but I will only get into action on the third day (on Thursday). It gives me a few days more to work on my fitness and regain my focus,” said Chong Wei, who is aiming to win his first Asiad gold medal.
The top seed has a first-round bye and will probably take on Hong Kong’s Chan Yan Kit in his opening match.
A win should pit Chong Wei against Boonsak again and the Malaysian will be happy to get the opportunity to avenge his earlier defeat.
“The defeat by Thailand was a painful one for Malaysia. I took the risk to play even though I was down with fever. We didn’t really have much choice, anyway,” said Chong Wei yesterday.
“I chose not to concede a walkover. I gave my best under the circumstances. Unfortunately for me, Boonsak was too good on the day.
“My defeat gave the juniors the opportunities to play and feel the pressure of playing in a team event. They lost but they gained some valuable experience.
“Now, I have a chance to play against Boonsak again and I will be better prepared if I were to face him.”
Chong Wei said the setback had not clouded his focus on achieving a better result in his second Asiad.
“I won a bronze in Doha (four years ago). I want to get to the final here and stay focused,” he said.
The others in Chong Wei’s half of the draw are Chen Jin of China and Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro. The other half has second seed Lin Dan of China, Indonesian Taufik Hidayat and South Korean Park Sung-hwan.
Malaysian team manager Datuk Maijol Manap is confident that the players will get back on their feet to get good results.
“We unexpectedly lost to Thailand. It even surprised the Thais. This is sports and it can sometimes be cruel,” he said.
“We have to bite the bullet and move forward. The players are bruised but the Games are not over yet for us.
“We are banking on Chong Wei and Koo (Kien Keat)-Tan (Boon Heong) to rise to the occasion. I am happy to note that team morale is still high despite the setback.”
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 11:21 AM.
Filed under
Latest News
.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0
