JOHOR BARU: It is official. World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei will go into the London Olympics as the top seed in the men’s singles competition.
Yesterday, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) released the new world rankings and Chong Wei is comfortably perched at the top while his main rivals — China’s Lin Dan, Chen Long and Chen Jin — will be seeded second, third and fourth respectively.
Chen Jin was rewarded with a ticket to the Games for winning three back-to-back titles, the Swiss Open, Australia Open and the Asian Badminton Championships, which enabled him to finally knock Peter-Gade Christensen of Denmark from the fourth spot.
A country can have a maximum of three singles players if all of them are ranked in the top four. China will also have full representation in the women’s singles through their top three ranked players.
Moving on: Malaysia’s Chooi Kah Ming (right) and Ow Yao Han in action against Duong Bao Duc and Nguyen Hoang Nam of Vietnam in Johor Baru Thursday.The Malaysians won 21-14, 11-21, 21-16. Chong Wei, the Beijing Games silver medallist, was pleased to be heading to London as the top seed in his final attempt at winning the nation’s elusive Olympic gold.
“This will give me a lot of confidence. There will be some pressure as the top seed but I’m used to that,” said Chong Wei.
“What matters most is to be mentally strong for the challenge and stay injury free.
“China must be very happy because they have a strong cast for the Games. Their strategy to get Chen Jin in has worked.
“One of them will be in my half when the draw is made on July 23. Let’s wait and see who that will be.”
Chong Wei said while he will be training hard for the Games he will also focus on taking care of his physical condition.
In fact, he will not hesitate to concede a walkover in the ongoing Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold if there is any risk of aggravating his shoulder injury.
“The next three months are crucial. I can’t do much as far as my skills are concerned but I need to stay healthy,” said Chong Wei after winning his first two matches yesterday at Bandaraya Stadium.
“There is a slight pain in my shoulder again. I may withdraw if it becomes uncomfortable, The most important right now is to arrive in London fully fit,” he added.
THE STAR
Yesterday, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) released the new world rankings and Chong Wei is comfortably perched at the top while his main rivals — China’s Lin Dan, Chen Long and Chen Jin — will be seeded second, third and fourth respectively.
Chen Jin was rewarded with a ticket to the Games for winning three back-to-back titles, the Swiss Open, Australia Open and the Asian Badminton Championships, which enabled him to finally knock Peter-Gade Christensen of Denmark from the fourth spot.
A country can have a maximum of three singles players if all of them are ranked in the top four. China will also have full representation in the women’s singles through their top three ranked players.
Moving on: Malaysia’s Chooi Kah Ming (right) and Ow Yao Han in action against Duong Bao Duc and Nguyen Hoang Nam of Vietnam in Johor Baru Thursday.The Malaysians won 21-14, 11-21, 21-16.“This will give me a lot of confidence. There will be some pressure as the top seed but I’m used to that,” said Chong Wei.
“What matters most is to be mentally strong for the challenge and stay injury free.
“China must be very happy because they have a strong cast for the Games. Their strategy to get Chen Jin in has worked.
“One of them will be in my half when the draw is made on July 23. Let’s wait and see who that will be.”
Chong Wei said while he will be training hard for the Games he will also focus on taking care of his physical condition.
In fact, he will not hesitate to concede a walkover in the ongoing Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold if there is any risk of aggravating his shoulder injury.
“The next three months are crucial. I can’t do much as far as my skills are concerned but I need to stay healthy,” said Chong Wei after winning his first two matches yesterday at Bandaraya Stadium.
“There is a slight pain in my shoulder again. I may withdraw if it becomes uncomfortable, The most important right now is to arrive in London fully fit,” he added.
THE STAR
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