Chong Wei will carry Malaysia's expectations to capture first world crown
Top News 9:58 AM
MALAYSIA’s Lee Chong Wei and China’s Lin Dan shook hands and exchanged greetings and pleasantries when they met at the Wembley Arena for the first time on Saturday.
But that friendship and mutual respect will be pushed aside as the top two seeds try to live up to their status in the World Badminton Championships, which begin today at a venue where many past greats had left their marks.
It will be tougher for Chong Wei to gun for glory than it is for the three-time champion Lin Dan. That’s because Chong Wei will be carrying the weight of expectations of the whole nation after failing to lift the title in his last five attempts.
Pressure, injuries and the lack of match temperament have all been cited as reasons for Chong Wei’s repeated failures.
Main hope: Lee Chong Wei will open his World Championships campaign today against Thailand’s Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk.
This time it is different. He has enjoyed a good season, having won six titles over the last six months, including the breakthrough win over Lin Dan in the final of the All-England.
Even the 10-day training stint in Bath was like a breath of fresh air for Chong Wei, as far as his preparation was concerned.
National coach Rashid Sidek agreed that Chong Wei was focused and looked confident and he is hoping for a strong finish too.
“Past experiences showed that we have always come short at the last hurdle. The competition begins tomorrow (today) and it will be a challenge for Chong Wei to contain all kind of emotions as he takes it one day at a time,” said Rashid.
“Of course, we want him to win but we are also aware of all the pitfalls that are ahead of him. We will ensure that Chong Wei will be wary of every opponent and stay out of injury.”
“Lin Dan is still the heavy favourite. He has won the world title thrice and the pressure on him will be different. It will be great if Chong Wei can face Lin Dan in the final but, for now, I would rather focus on his earlier threats.”
Today, the 29-year-old Chong Wei will take on Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk and the energetic Thai youngster is certain to go the extra mile in the opening match.
The other more challenging players in his half are South Korean Park Sung-hwan, Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat and China’s Chen Long and Chen Jin.
Lin Dan, who plays Lithuanian Kestutis Navickas tomorrow after enjoying a bye today, has his own set of challenges in the lower half.
He may have to fend of some old – but persistent – rivals in Lee Hyun-il of South Korea, Sho Sasaki of Japan, Peter-Gade Christensen of Denmark and Simon Santoso of Indonesia.
The race is more open in the men’s doubles and Malaysia’s Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong have as good a chance as others of emerging triumphant.
They nearly pulled it off in Paris last year. Despite a brilliant start against Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng in the final, they eventually blew it.
“We have pushed them in training. Now, it’s time for the players to push themselves – physically and mentally – on court if they want to emerge as worthy champions,” said national coach Rexy Mainaky.
It will be tough for Malaysia to expect any outstanding results from the women’s and mixed doubles because China, Indonesia, Japan and Denmark are simply a class above.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 9:58 AM.
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