China's domination in badminton has suddenly been called into
question after its best shuttlers suffered a string of losses
during the recent IBF Super Series China Open, leaving many
concerned about China's prospects for next year's Beijing Olympic
Games.
The China Open concluded at Tianhe Gymnasium in Guangzhou on
Sunday as the host settled for only two out of the five titles,
China's worst showing in 14 years at the tournament.
The biggest upset came in the women's singles, which China
traditionally dominates in major international competitions.
Wong Mew Choo from Malaysia ruined any planned celebration
parties by outgunning world No 1 Xie Xingfang in the final.
The underdog Wong -- the world No 8 -- was a real giant killer
and a nightmare for Chinese women, with wins over China's Zhu
Jingjing, world No 5 Pi Hong Yan, (a former Chinese now
representing France), world No 3 and reigning world champion Zhu
Lin, and world No 2 Zhang Ning on her way to the title.
Veteran shuttler Zhang, a gold medalist at the Athens Olympics,
said a loss does not undermine her determination to defend her
title in Beijing 2008.
"Nobody likes the feeling of losing matches. The more important
thing is how to keep health in your mind after a setback," said
Zhang, 32. "If you keep thinking of how to beat the next opponent
and the next next opponent, there will be huge pressure on your
shoulders. I will try to play every game as the only one and just
play my best game."
Years of training and competition have left lingering injures in
her knees, but Zhang still has her eyes on the gold medal.
"Reports said I have lower expectations for the Beijing Games.
They are wrong. I still have the passion and motivation for the
gold medal. I will get fit step by step and fight for the best
result in Beijing."
Like Zhang, Xie has struggled with a lingering injury in her
lower back for a long time, but she refuses to blame her final
failure on the injury.
"It's not an excuse. The injury has been there for a long time
and I can handle it as long as it doesn't hurt so much," Xie said.
"We have to admit the overall level of women's badminton is
progressing fast. Every player has their own style and it's harder
to beat them."
Head coach Li Yongbo also admitted the use of the 21-point
system has narrowed the gap between Chinese and overseas
players.
The China Open was not the first time this year China was
humbled at an international event. China also failed to clinch a
gold in September's Philippines Open. At the Japan Open later that
month, Denmark's Tine Rasmussen demonstrated Europe's growing
competitiveness at the cost of Chinese shuttlers, beating national
champion Jiang Yanjiao, Zhang, world No 4 Lu Lan and then Xie in
the final.
Apart from the women's singles, China also lost titles in men's
doubles and mixed doubles at the China Open.
Indonesia emerged as the final doubles victor as Markis
Kido/Hendra Setiawan beat Guo Zhendong/Xie Zhongbo to take the
men's doubles title, and Nova Vidianto/Lilyana Natsir beat Thai
pair Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam to win the mixed
doubles.
China's gold-medal hopefuls and world No 2 pair Cai Yun/Fu
Haifeng failed to live up to expectations again with a surprising
first-round exit in Guangzhou.
Coach Li has to take extra measures to get them back on
track.
"They still need some time to find their best form. But we still
have a while before the Olympic Games and I have confidence," Li
said.
China's traditionally powerful mixed doubles team is also
slumping after the retirement of two-time Olympic champion Zhang
Jun.
Zhang's gold-medal partner Gao Lin has teamed with youngster
Zheng Bo, but the new pair is still a ways from the sport's prime
time, suffering losses in the world championship final and the
China Open quarterfinals.
"Zheng is still not consistent and we are also short of teamwork
sometimes," said Gao. "I am concerned if we are able to compete in
the Olympics."
World No 3 Bao Chunlai and Gao Ling/Zhao Tingting saved face for
China in the men's singles and women's doubles.
Bao thrashed Malaysian Lee Chong Wei 2-0 to claim the singles
title. Lee, who beat Bao in the final to claim the French Open
championship earlier this month, has risen to world No 2 in the
latest IBF rankings.
Bao's performance was welcomed, but fellow world champion Lin
Dan's upset at the hands of South Korea's Park Sung-hwan in the
first round should sound as a warning to China.
"Lin's shortcoming is his slow starts in big tournaments. He is
able to play better game after game, but who knows what will happen
in the first round," said coach Li.
(China Daily November 28, 2007)