China out to end long wait

CHINA have dominated the world badminton scene in recent times, but as long as they are unable to end their 14-year wait to bring the Thomas Cup back, their domination is not complete.


Head coach Li Yongbo, while acknowledging there are several countries capable of spoiling China's plans, said their motivation was the fact that China last won the title in 1990.

And this year, they have the best opportunity to get it right.

"Yes, it is true that despite our domination in the individual championships, it has been 14 years since we won the Thomas Cup," said Yongbo yesterday.

"But this is why we are so motivated to win it this time, and I believe we have the best opportunity to do so."

In fact, Yongbo was in the team that last won the Thomas Cup in Tokyo, and incidentally against Malaysia.

China beat Malaysia 4-1 for the title with Razif and Jailani Sidek winning their match against Yongbo- Tian Bingyi.

"There are other teams like Korea, Indonesia, Denmark and Malaysia with a chance of spoiling our dream but we are ready for all of them," added Yongbo.

"We have been training very hard and want to win both titles badly."

China often sweep three or four out of the five events in the individual championships, and in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, they won four of the five gold medals at stake.

This year, they have five men's singles players in the top 10 bracket with three of them - Lin Dan, Chen Hong and Bao Chunlai - in the top five bracket.

In the doubles, often their weak point, they have beefed up considerably as they have two world class pairs in Hu Haifeng-Cai Yun and Sang Yang-Zheng Bo.

"Our mission here is to win, and we are ready for it," said Yongbo.


NST