Chong Wei out for gold not revenge against Lin Dan
Lee Chong Wei reacts as he celebrates winning against China’s Chen Long during their men’s singles badminton semifinals match during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Wembley Arena August 3, 2012. – Reuters picLONDON, Aug 4 – Shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei’s main mission when facing his arch rival and nemesis Lin Dan from China in the men’s singles final tomorrow will be to win the gold for the country and not to seek revenge.
Chong Wei (picture) who lost to Lin Dan in the final of the 2008 Beijing Olympics said winning the country’s first ever gold would be his top most priority and not to seek revenge.
“Just like Lin Dan, I will also be out for a win. Lin Dan wants to defend his title but I want to exchange the silver for a gold,” he told reporters here today.
Admitting that the road to the final was not an easy one, especially after recovering from a shoulder and ankle injury plus lack of competitive matches for more than two months, Chong Wei said there were times when he had feared that the injury would come back to haunt him.
“I am still in the recovery process and the thought of a similar recurrence will send shivers down my spine. However, the hundreds of good luck and congratulatory messages received daily, especially after making it to the final, keeps me going.
“The high hope of Malaysians will certainly inspire me to give my best,” he said.
Chong Wei, the world number two and the top seed in the competition here, faces Lin Dan in the final at the Wembley Arena at 8pm (Malaysian time).
“In Beijing, it was Lin Dan’s own backyard but the Wembley Arena is a neutral ground and I am sure everything will be different,” said Chong Wei who lost 12-21, 8-21 in Beijing.
In the semifinals, Chong Wei beat Chen Long of China 21-13, 21-14 while Lin Dan overcame South Korean Lee Hyun Il 21-12, 21-10 in straight sets to set up the mouth-watering clash. – Bernama
