I wouldn't take it this way. If LCW should really win this year's WC, he deserves it, with or without LD. What matters is that he has finally got his name permanently engraved on the trophy just as LD had his engraved together with the names of the other winners. What others say is their problem. The most important thing for LCW is to win the WC and prove others wrong. Now the AE, though prestigious, does not count higher than the WC or the Olympics. So LCW has to forget his victories or otherwise in the AE and concentrate on the WC first before the Rio Olympics.
Who care whether LCW win without LD participating or not. If Lin Dan wants to prove he is still the best, then next year try to earn point by his own & participate.This year give opportunity to other players. Just because he won so many major that does not mean he should be given an exclusive right. If this kind of behavior is encouraged, what goodness can it brings to the badminton game? Next time he doesnt have to enter many tournament & just wait for free card to enter. Just enjoy life while others work hard to maintain their rank.
We can't go overboard. We need to abide by the rules set up by BWF. BWF have the discretion to issue wildcards, but they decided not to this time. There is a point that the incumbent champion should be allowed to participate, but there is also a viewpoint that he/she should qualify first. That's why the wildcard discretion seems to be a good solution. As I've said an ill-prepared LD would not want to accept the wildcard as he could be humiliated in the early rounds. Just for argument's sake. We reverse the situation that LCW was the incumbent champion and he was not allowed to participate, neither was he given the wildcard. The debate goes on .....
You guys talk too much of what is LCW or LD's interest. In the interest of all badminton fans, it is better LD and LCW both enter the WC. But anyway, this year's big tourney is Asian games. Both of them will be there I beleive.
Happens in Tennis all the time. Roger Federer was just given a Wild Card: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/15/Monte-Carlo-Federer-Wild-Card.aspx Tennis is the closest sport to badminton and they do it all the time. Neither the tennis world nor tennis fans complain about this.
Sorry, just read the badminton central threads. You can already see tonnes of posters who claim winning the WC this year is empty and not as meaningful because a capable world champion is not a part of the tournament.
Giving a wildcard is different from automatic qualification. Does tennis give automatic qualification?
Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion, i respect that. In my opinion, if Dato LCW win 2014 WC without having his own teammates giving him walkover while clashing each other, then he won it fair & square. Congratulation to him.
LD's thread is now more concentrated on his attire and sponsorship which is rather boring. Probably someone thinks he can play like LD if he has all of LD's things.
Hahaha... Maybe the secret to Lindan skills is actually his panties which are not shown, anyway who wear his panties can play like him
Looks like LCW not goin to win the WC this year or Asian Gold. Why? He is playing 2 gruelling SS series back to back and hardly one month rest from Thomas cup 3 weeks ago.. He has no choice. Japan Open he must go, obligated by contract. Indonesia O also must go it is mandatory by BWF rules for premier series. Next he has to go for the Common wealth games in 3 weeks. Hardly any rest, It would be better for him to lose in QF for some tournaments and play leisurely in some S series so that he can reserve his top game for WC and AG. But being a consumate professional as he is, how can he cheat the fans or insult his opponent ? he plays every tournament big or small with the same intensity. Sometimes the spirit is willing the flesh just cannot carry on. He is in the finals of every tournament he had played in this year except the IO today. What a measure of a champion? He will bring out his A game no matter what and against any opponent, weak or strong , even if it would jeopardise his dream of personal validation of winning the WC or AG. Badminton fans everywhere please treasure this man. You will not see the likes of him for a long time to come when those legs could not carry on anymore and he hang up his racket.
It seems Tago has found the key to destroying LCW when the latter is at his lowest, physically. But Tago has expended too much energy on LCW and paid the price himself against a fitter Jorgensen who had an easier passage to the finals. Indeed Tago was filled with tears when he lost the opportunity to win his first SS this year. But credit goes to JJ for making Danish badminton history as the first Dane to win the MS in the IO. He also cried but those were tears of joy!
10000th message! yoohoo! maybe a little bit off-topic but here is a question: why are some tournaments not counted for the ranking? Do they only count 10 best results per year? View attachment 159607