KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12: China will seek a clean sweep of all five titles at the world badminton championships, taking on tenacious rivals Malaysia and Indonesia in an attempt to tighten their grip on the sport.
China's formidable shuttlers, who dominate the world rankings, have been put on notice that second-rate performances one year out from the Beijing Olympics will not be tolerated when the championships start from Monday.
Head coach Li Yongbo fired the warning after world number one Lin Dan lost a dead rubber at the recent Sudirman Cup world team championships, which China won for a record sixth time.
“Everyone shares equal chance and if you don't give your best, you could be out at any time,” Li told China's press.
At the world championships, defending champion Lin is expected to cruise through the early rounds before a possible quarter-final showdown with Indonesian rival Taufik Hidayat.
Organisers are relishing the expected grudge match, with tensions simmering after the Indonesian launched an astonishing personal attack on Lin late last year, calling him arrogant and unfriendly.
The outburst reinforced Hidayat's reputation as badminton's bad boy, although the Olympic champion has since insisted he has nothing against the Chinese star, known as Super Dan to his legion of fans.
Hidayat, seeded eight, has said his motivation for winning here is sky high, even though he considered skipping the event to be with his heavily pregnant wife.
“I want to play because there is no world championships next year (because of the Olympics),” he told the Jakarta Post.
On the other side of the draw is Lee Chong Wei, gunning to become the first Malaysian to clinch a world championship title. The second seed is confident his home advantage and a good draw could help catapult him into the finals.
“I have an advantage of playing at home. I have trained hard and I certainly want to achieve my best results in the world championships,” said Lee who has shown solid form, winning this year's Philippine and Indonesian Opens.
“What can I say, the draw looks very favourable for me. Lin Dan, Taufik and even Bao (China's fourth seed Bao Chunlai) are not in my half of the draw – that is good news for me,” he told Malaysian media.
“But I no not want to assume that reaching the finals will be easier.”In the men's doubles, hometown heroes Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong also stand a strong chance of derailing the Chinese juggernaut.
Barring major upsets, the second seeds are expected to take on reigning champions and world number ones Fu Haifeng and Cai Yun in a highly anticipated final.
The Chinese pair will be seeking to reassert their dominance after losing to the Malaysians in the final of this year's prestigious All England.
While China's men face tough challenges, mainland supremacy is almost certain on the women's side.
Lin's girlfriend, fellow world number one Xie Xingfang, is expected to cruise into the singles final to meet compatriot Zhang Ning, after they were posted in opposite halves of the draw.
Veteran Zhang, 32, seeded second, will be savouring the chance for revenge against Xie who has trounced the Olympic champion in the final at the last two world championships.
The doubles final is also expected to be an all-China affair with devastating duo Zhang Yawen and Wei Yili expected to take on Gao Ling and Huang Sui.
China's Gao and Zheng Bo look invincible in the mixed doubles, winning six titles since coming together at the start of 2007.—AFP