‘Super Dan’ braced for worlds comeback
Badminton great to emerge from nearly a year on the sidelines.
Despite his low ranking, 29-year-old ‘Super Dan’ was awarded the world championships’ only men’s singles wildcard due to his ‘stature and fan appeal’. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
HONG KONG:
Badminton great Lin Dan will finally make a comeback after nearly a year on the sidelines to defend his world title next week, with Lee Chong Wei hoping to beat his nemesis in a major final.
The four-time world champion, handed a controversial wildcard to compete in Guangzhou, has played just three competitive matches this year and conceded a walkover in the Asian championships in April, before skipping the Indonesia and Singapore Opens citing injury.
Despite his low ranking, 29-year-old ‘Super Dan’ was awarded the world championships’ only men’s singles wildcard due to his ‘stature and fan appeal’ — a move that went down badly with Lee.
“What about the others who have worked hard to qualify for the event?” Lee told Malaysia’s The Star newspaper. “Rather than qualifying, I should have waited for a wildcard too.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 5th, 2013.
Badminton great Lin Dan will finally make a comeback after nearly a year on the sidelines to defend his world title next week, with Lee Chong Wei hoping to beat his nemesis in a major final.
The four-time world champion, handed a controversial wildcard to compete in Guangzhou, has played just three competitive matches this year and conceded a walkover in the Asian championships in April, before skipping the Indonesia and Singapore Opens citing injury.
Despite his low ranking, 29-year-old ‘Super Dan’ was awarded the world championships’ only men’s singles wildcard due to his ‘stature and fan appeal’ — a move that went down badly with Lee.
“What about the others who have worked hard to qualify for the event?” Lee told Malaysia’s The Star newspaper. “Rather than qualifying, I should have waited for a wildcard too.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 5th, 2013.