Gunalan: Chong Wei can stop 30-year drought
Latest News, new, Top News 10:12 AM
KUALA LUMPUR: World number one shuttler Lee Chong Wei has a
chance to become the country’s second men’s singles champion in the
history of the Asian Games.
And the previous winner – Datuk Punch Gunalan – can’t wait for Chong Wei to end the 30-year long drought.
Yesterday, he stoked the fire in Chong Wei to live up to expectations.
Not there yet: Lee Chong Wei won the bronze in the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
“I
have waited too long. It is unbelievable that no one has won it over
the last 30 years,” said Gunalan, who became Malaysia’s first Asiad
singles gold medallist at the 1970 Games in Bangkok.
“It is time for a Malaysian to win the men’s singles title. And, based on current form, I am confident that Chong Wei can pull it off.”
Only Chong Wei and two others – Yong Hock Kin and Rashid Sidek – have come close to ending the elusive chase in previous Games, having won the bronze medal playoffs at the 2006 Doha, 1998 Bangkok and 1990 Beijing series respectively.
Gunalan is confident of Chong Wei’s gold medal prospects based on the national shuttler’s sensational win over arch rival Lin Dan of China in the final of Japan Open in September.
“He showed great determination and strength to beat Lin Dan in the Japan Open. He can beat the guy again if he is focused,” said Gunalan.
Chong Wei’s physical condition has also improved over the last few days.
He is back in full-time training after getting treatment for a foot injury after returning from New Delhi as the singles champion for the second consecutive time.
In the Asiad, Chong Wei and Lin Dan are seeded first and second and should clash in the final.
Chong Wei has Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand, Chen Jin of China and Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia in his half while Lin Dan will have Park Sung-hwan of South Korea, defending champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia, Kenichi Tago of Japan and Nguyen Tien Minh of Vietnam for company in his half of the draw.
Malaysia’s Mohd Hafiz Hashim will play the winner of the match between Sung-hwan and Kenichi in the second round and, based on his sub-standard form, he may be out early.
Malaysia are also pinning their hopes on defending champions Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong to keep the country’s flag flying high in Guangzhou.
The duo have done exceptionally well in the second half of the year and China’s Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng seem to be their major stumbling block.
Both pairs are in different halves and, if they continue with their fine forms, both are expected to meet again for the third time in the final.
The Malaysians lost to Cai Yun-Haifeng in the finals of both the the World Championships in Paris and the Japan Open.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have set a three-medal target, with the promise of one gold.
Besides the men’s singles and doubles, Malaysia are also hoping to go one step better in the men’s team event after winning bronze at the 2002 Busan and 2006 Doha Games.
And the previous winner – Datuk Punch Gunalan – can’t wait for Chong Wei to end the 30-year long drought.
Yesterday, he stoked the fire in Chong Wei to live up to expectations.
Not there yet: Lee Chong Wei won the bronze in the 2006 Doha Asian Games. “It is time for a Malaysian to win the men’s singles title. And, based on current form, I am confident that Chong Wei can pull it off.”
Only Chong Wei and two others – Yong Hock Kin and Rashid Sidek – have come close to ending the elusive chase in previous Games, having won the bronze medal playoffs at the 2006 Doha, 1998 Bangkok and 1990 Beijing series respectively.
Gunalan is confident of Chong Wei’s gold medal prospects based on the national shuttler’s sensational win over arch rival Lin Dan of China in the final of Japan Open in September.
“He showed great determination and strength to beat Lin Dan in the Japan Open. He can beat the guy again if he is focused,” said Gunalan.
Chong Wei’s physical condition has also improved over the last few days.
He is back in full-time training after getting treatment for a foot injury after returning from New Delhi as the singles champion for the second consecutive time.
In the Asiad, Chong Wei and Lin Dan are seeded first and second and should clash in the final.
Chong Wei has Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand, Chen Jin of China and Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia in his half while Lin Dan will have Park Sung-hwan of South Korea, defending champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia, Kenichi Tago of Japan and Nguyen Tien Minh of Vietnam for company in his half of the draw.
Malaysia’s Mohd Hafiz Hashim will play the winner of the match between Sung-hwan and Kenichi in the second round and, based on his sub-standard form, he may be out early.
Malaysia are also pinning their hopes on defending champions Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong to keep the country’s flag flying high in Guangzhou.
The duo have done exceptionally well in the second half of the year and China’s Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng seem to be their major stumbling block.
Both pairs are in different halves and, if they continue with their fine forms, both are expected to meet again for the third time in the final.
The Malaysians lost to Cai Yun-Haifeng in the finals of both the the World Championships in Paris and the Japan Open.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have set a three-medal target, with the promise of one gold.
Besides the men’s singles and doubles, Malaysia are also hoping to go one step better in the men’s team event after winning bronze at the 2002 Busan and 2006 Doha Games.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 10:12 AM.
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