The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- All eyes on Lin Dan as he returns after eight-month break
- Frustrated Chin Chai plans to crack the whip as shuttlers fail to meet the mark
- Pandelela to face strong rivals in FINA Diving World Series
| All eyes on Lin Dan as he returns after eight-month break Posted: 10 Apr 2013 07:26 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: It's been almost eight months since the world last saw Super Dan in action. So, it's no surprise that everyone will be closely following Lin Dan's exploits at the Asian Badminton Championships in Taiwan from April 16-21 And Malaysia's national singles coach Tey Seu Bock is one of them. In fact, Seu Bock said he would not be surprised to see the four-time world champion and two-time Olympic champion getting off to a brilliant start despite the long break. Lin Dan has been entered for the regional meet with four others from China – Chen Long, Du Pengyu, Wang Zhengming and Gao Huan. Former world champion Chen Jin's name was also listed but he has withdrawn. Ironically, only world No. 40 Lin Dan will not be seeded among his compatriots for the tournament. The ABC is Lin Dan's first tournament since his sensational win over world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei in the final of the London Olympic Games in August. The long absence has seen the 29-year-old Lin Dan's ranking plunge from No. 2 to No. 40 in the world – despite the fact that he has won every major title in the world. But let's not get too far ahead. Let's see if Lin Dan shows up or not first, says Seu Bock. "China have entered his name but we're not sure if he'll even play. He had withdrawn from tournaments before," said Seu Bock. "But if he shows up, I don't think he'll be under-prepared. We'll probably see him play at 80% of his best. Usually, the top players do not show a drastic drop in form. He'll be the most dangerous unseeded player in the meet." Lin Dan is drawn in the lower half with second seed Du Pengyu, third seed Hu Yun of Hong Kong, fifth seed Nguyen Tine Minh and ninth seed Liew Daren. In the top half, the favourite to enter the final is reigning All-England champion Chen Long. Meanwhile, Seu Bock has more pressing matters on his mind – like trying to revive Chong Wei's confidence after his semi-final loss to 2009 World Junior champion Tian Houwei in the Australian Open Grand Prix in Sydney last week. Seu Bock believes that China are using different players with different styles to demoralise Chong Wei. "Houwei played a different game against Chong Wei and it caught our man off guard. Besides, Chong Wei was not at his best. But it's a minor setback," said Seu Bock. "Like Lin Dan, Chong Wei has a strong will and should be back at his best in no time." |
| Frustrated Chin Chai plans to crack the whip as shuttlers fail to meet the mark Posted: 10 Apr 2013 07:26 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Except for world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, the first quarter of this year has been quite a disaster for Malaysia's top shuttlers. And Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching and training committee chairman Ng Chin Chai is ready to take the national coaches to task at a meeting soon. Chin Chai said that some of the players would be dropped once they have assessed the shuttlers' performances over the last three months. Those expected to be axed are some who were promoted from the Bukit Jalil Sports School. Only Chong Wei won two major titles – the Malaysian Open and Korean Open in January. He also did well to reach the final of the All-England before bowing out to China's Chen Long. The doubles won two other titles. Women's doubles Amelia Anselly-Soong Fie Cho won the Iran International Challenge and men's doubles pair of Nelson Heg Wei Keat-Teo Ee Yi captured the Finland Open on Sunday. None of the others, especially the second stringers, were able to achieve any breakthroughs. "We wanted to hold the meeting earlier but decided to wait for the dates for the general election to be finalised. Now, I will set a date for the coaching and training committee meeting," said Chin Chai. The biggest disappointments was probably the men's doubles as Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong failed to come good in any of the tournaments so far this year. There was also a setback for promising pair Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem when they failed to book their tickets for the World Championships in Guangzhou in August. The world No. 14 will have to do well in the ongoing New Zealand Open in Auckland and next week's Asian Badminton Championships in Taiwan if they hope to make the cut. RESULTS NEW ZEALAND OPEN First round |
| Pandelela to face strong rivals in FINA Diving World Series Posted: 10 Apr 2013 07:34 PM PDT PETALING JAYA: Diver Pandelela Rinong will have to raise her game if she hopes to make the podium in the third leg of the FINA Diving World Series in Edinburgh next weekend. Pandelela returned to competition for the first time since the London Olympics to clinch a bronze medal in the individual platform in last month's opening leg in Beijing. Despite scoring higher in the following leg in Dubai, Pandelela had to be contented with only a fifth placing. She scored 337.75 points in Beijing and 353.50 points in Dubai. It will be a tougher field in Edinburgh as China have decided to exercise their option of entering a second diver – untested rookie Si Yajie – alongside reigning world and Olympic champion Chen Ruolin. Canadian Meaghan Benfeito, who took silver behind Ruolin in Beijing and Dubai, is skipping the third leg but Australia's Olympic silver medallist Brittany Broben, Mexico's Orozco Alejandra and Russia's Yulia Koltunova, bronze medallist in Dubai, will be present in Edinburgh. Coach Yang Zhuliang, though happy with Pandelela's progress in both the legs, feels that she needs to do better. "I believe she was slightly nervous as she had just recovered from an ankle problem which kept her out of competitions," he said. "Her rivals are pushing hard and she needs to make progress or she'll be left behind. "China have two divers next weekend. The second diver may have little experience but her skills are good enough to fight for a podium finish ... otherwise China will not field her. "It'll be a very close fight for the medals if everyone gives her best." Pandelela will be on double duty as she is also partnering Cheong Jun Hoong in the women's 10m platform synchro. Zhuliang is resting Leong Mun Yee from the Edinburgh trip as he continues with his experiments before deciding on the strongest partnership for the World Championships in Barcelona in July. Jun Hoong will also combine with Wendy Ng Yan Yee in the 3m springboard synchro while Ahmad Amsyar will combine with Ooi Tze Liang in the men's 3m springboard synchro in Edinburgh. |
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