SEPANG: Despite not having fully recovered from a groin injury, world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei has set his sights on winning the 2014 BWF World championships to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark from Aug 25 to 31.
The world number one said he would be accompanied by a number of medical specialists to ensure that the injury he had picked up at the Indonesian Open Super Series earlier this year, would not affect his performance at the world championships.
“Despite not having fully recovered, I need to participate as it is important for me…my target to clinch the title has not changed,” he said when met by reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport here before leaving for Copenhagen with the national badminton squad, last night.
Chong Wei admitted that even his arch-rival Lin Dan of China has failed to qualify for the world championships following his low ranking, he is not taking any chances at the tournament.
“This is my best opportunity…I will try my best…I have no problem with fitness but I maybe a little rusty after a two-month absence from competitive matches,” he said.
Chong Wei will open his campaign against Lee Dong Keun of South Korea.
Meanwhile, another Malaysian singles representative, Chong Wei Feng is also targeting to get past the third round in Copenhagen.
He pledged to take one game at a time and forget about the difficult draw.
“I will give my best shot when facing Chen Long of China in the third round,” said the left-handed player.
Wei Feng also described the presence of national singles chief coach, Rashid Sidek in the national squad to Copenhagen as a morale booster to the team to put up their best performance at the World Championships.
“I have trained under Rashid for almost 10 years and he knows my game better than other coaches,” said Wei Feng who is down to meet Rajiv Ouseph of England in the first round.
Rashid and Badminton Association of Malaysia president Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff were earlier involved in a spat following the national shuttlers’ poor performance, especially Liew Darren at the just concluded 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland.
Apart from Chong Wei and Wei Feng, Malaysia is also pining hopes on 10 other national players.
They are Hoon Thien How/Tan Wee Kiong, Koo Kien Kiat/Tan Boon Heong and Goh V Shem/Lim Khim Wah in the men’s doubles; Tee Jing Yi and Sannatasah Saniru (women’s singles), Vivian Hoo Kah Mun/Woon Khe Wei, Ng Hui Lin/Ng Hui Ern, Lee Meng Yean/Lim Yin Loo and Amelia Alicia Anscelly/Fie Cho Soong (women’s doubles) as well as Tan Aik Quan/Lai Pei Jing in the mixed doubles. — Bernama