Kuala Lumpur: Just two days after his big day, world number one
men's singles badminton player Datuk Lee Chong Wei is already down to
business.
The Olympic silver medallist resumed training Monday after a long break
to prepare for his wedding with former national singles shuttler Wong
Mew Choo.
National coach Tey Siu Bock told Bernama Chong Wei's performance was a
little bit below par but it was not a cause for concern.
"There was a slight dip in his performance. It is expected after a long break but we are not worried.
"After four years focusing for the (London) Olympics, we are now giving him time to relax," he said.
He said the objective for the remaining of the year was to maintain
Chong Wei's ranking as the world number one men's singles in the
Badminton World Federation's (BWF) list.
"In the meantime, we are not targeting him to win any tournament.
Of course we want him to win, but as long as he plays his best it will be okay," he added.
Chong Wei has at least another three championships lined up for him this
year, namely the Hong Kong Open (Nov 20-25), Macau Open (Nov 27-Dec 2)
and the BWF Super Series Final in Shenzen (Dec 12-16).
Due to his busy schedule, the 30-year-old who recently held a two-day
wedding reception (on Friday and Saturday), had to postpone his
honeymoon to probably some time next year.
He is now gearing up for the Hong Kong Open next week in Kowloon where
he is expected to face China's Du Pengyu in the semi-final.
The 24-year-old Chinese had given Chong Wei a hard time during the
Denmark Open final last month before the latter charged up in the last
minute to win the title.
In the Hong Kong Open, the top seeded Chong Wei will take on Boonsak
Ponsana of Thailand in the first round, flower leather waistband dress before encountering opponents
like Wang Zhengming of China, Hao Hsu Jen of Taiwan and Vietnam's Tien
Minh Nguyen in the second round and quarter-final.
Other stars to be in action include China's Chen Long and Chen Jin,
Kenichi Tago and Sho Sasaki of Japan, Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark and
Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia as well as national singles Liew Daren and
Chong Wei Feng.
National top pair Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong will lead Malaysia's
charge in the men's doubles while third seeded Chan Peng Soon Chan and
Goh Liu Ying will compete in the mixed doubles. - Bernama
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