Kuala Lumpur
Will 2018 finally be Malaysia’s year at the Badminton World Championships?
Malaysia have never won a world title with Lee Chong Wei coming close with three silver medals (2011, 2013, 2015).
Based on the draw, conducted at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) headquarters on Tuesday, it could be Malaysia’s year at the Nanjing edition on July 30-Aug 5.
BA of Malaysia (BAM) honorary secretary Datuk Ng Chin Chai believes Malaysia have a chance to break the duck on the world stage after coming close on several occasions.
Touching mainly on the men’s singles draw, Chin Chai noted that this could be Lee Chong Wei’s best chance to claim the world crown.
The World No 2 will once again face France’s Brice Leverdez in the first round. At last year’s Glasgow edition, it was the French shuttler who sent Chong Wei packing early on.
Chin Chai, however, is confident Chong Wei won’t falter again, not to Leverdez at least.
“Chong Wei’s draw looks tough in every round, but it will be easier to play in the quarter-finals onwards as compared to the top half of the draw.
“As we know, Chong Wei faces Leverdez in the opening round and it was the French shuttler who beat him last year. However, I believe Chong Wei will clear the first round this time, and most likely meet Anthony Ginting (Indonesia), who is another tough opponent, in the next round.
“It’s important for Chong Wei to prepare well and to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of Leverdez and Ginting. If he can overcome the opening two rounds, he should have no issues reaching the semi-finals,” said Chin Chai.
Chong Wei, 36, will likely face Japan’s Kento Momota in the last-four, barring any upsets.
The Malaysian has lost twice to the Japanese World No 6 this year. Chong Wei, however, defeated him en route to winning his 12th Malaysia Open crown last month.
On the two heavyweights locking horns again, Chin Chai added: “I am actually happy that Chong Wei might face Momota in the semi-finals as the former’s target is to finally become a world champion. There is no point for him to go there wanting to be second best as he has done it before.
“So to be world champion, Chong Wei needs to beat Momota in the semi-final and then have a different opponent in the final. He will need to analyse and see how to approach the match… it will be 50-50 in my opinion.”
Chin Chai also acknowledged China’s presence, saying: “Chong Wei may have avoided them early on, but is likely to face any of them in the final. It’s never easy to play China in the world meet, Asian Games and Olympics,” he said.
Five-time champion Lin Dan, reigning Olympic champion Chen Long and Shi Yuqi are all in the top half of the draw along with World No 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.
Apart from Chong Wei and professional shuttler Liew Daren, the other Malaysians bound for Nanjing are Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles), Soniia Cheah, Goh Jin Wei (women’ singles), Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei, Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean (doubles) and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Tan Kian Meng Lai Pei-Jing (mixed doubles).
“We are really happy with the number of entries this year. Hopefully, it will be a revival of Malaysian badminton.
“Being the country’s most popular sport, I hope we will see a world champion this year, as last year, we produced a few world champions but from other sports. “Hopefully, badminton delivers this year,” Chin Chai added.
