I wanted to vote for a Canadian but I didn't see CAN on the list. Voted LD cuz it was the popular vote.
slight digression... what happens at the group stage with 3 people in if all players have won 1 and lost 1?
There is no doubt in my mind and based also on the survey result, that the two finalists for the MS would be LCW and LD. Now the question of who is going to win, well, Lin Dan definitely has the edge in all aspects but as Rudy Tomjanovich's saying goes, "Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion". That being said, LCW, a true champion in his own right, not only must use all the arsenals under his sleeve but must also unleash the passion to win against a very formidable opponent like Lin Dan. LCW knows too well that this could be his last chance for an Olympic gold medal so I am sure he would set aside all his excuses with regards to personal injuries. The real challenge for LCW to me is whether he can withstand the overwhelming pressure cast on to his shoulders by the millions of his followers, most especially his countrymen. In the end, who wants it more desperately would win the gold. I am always for the underdog, in a much as I think Lin Dan is in the prime of his badminton condition, so my vote goes to the "Datu". My advice to LCW if I may, never mind the super strong smashes, the perfect drop shots, the great defense and the punishing and super fast push shots by Lin Dan, take it all in stride, don't ever get frustrated, get your points one at a time and you might not notice it that you just have defeated the reigning, defending 2008 Beijing Olympics MS Badminton gold medalist. Good luck!
Yes ankle is looking better, body a bit fitter and smile are charmer that is not the status we are rooting now for LCW. i watch the video many times now and the way the ankle injury hunt me like hell not to say for the player himself. LD and CL already at diff level of mind and strategy game plan now. Not to say how many physical fitness they have gone thru aka army fitness training prior this olympic. The enemy is not CL or LD but i believe is more of himself. The confident to stretch over the limit that he need to put in the semi -final with CL. I am glad he got engaged with WMC at least its calm him a lot and extra tonic and motivation from his GF. Gold for upcoming wedding maybe. Getting into Semi-final is already a huge success and to bet CL is almost unbelieveable super human effort needed for this hurdle. If he lost to CL,he has done to his super human effort. No shame but walking tall. If we won the gold then i see him the mother son of all godness. My word to LCW: How dare are you to Prove that you are actually Dare to be the Champion ?? Good luck my fre...
Imagine this: LCW beating the No 1 player from Indonesia, Japan, Denmark and suddenly succumbed to China's No.1 because of injury. That would be biggest story ever been mentioned. Equivalent to Hua Yuanjia.
On ties it goes like this: Head to head (only possible with 2) sets difference Head to head points difference head to head euh ... Don't know what happens after that
Due to LCW's recent injury and my belief he wont be 100% fit for the olympics i have gone with Lin Dan.
LIn Dan will win the gold again. Why? He had reasonable draw and only play tough opponents probably in QF and the final. (Assuming he play CJ in SF) Meanwhile LCW had to play lots of tough opponents since round 16. Simon in R16, tago in QF, CL in SF and LD in final. Have LCW 100% fit?
Lin Dan has Taufik in the 2nd round And Taufik is retiring after this match. So you decide whether if LD match is hard or not ?
Inasmuch as we all here wanna see an epic, history-making match between LD vs LCW at an Olympic stage, an opportunity that is so rare that it will long capture our minds into the future, I'm much afraid that LCW won't be able to make the trip that far, he will simply be stopped by the young and rising dragon, CL. LCW's less than 100% fitness due to some ankle problem is a handicap for him. Even under his normal situation, facing CL is always a challenging task for him. Of course, he can still manage to compete for the bronze medal.
I am looking at the last match played by each of this player: In Singapore Open, Taufik lost in Rd 1 to Chong Wei Feng. In Thailand Open, Lin Dan lost in SF to Sony. I watched the match. Both played at their "leisure" pace (as usual) and lost. I believe Lin Dan should "easily" beat Taufik if they meet after the Group matches. Sorry, my heart is with Taufik, but my head says Lin Dan.
The problem with voting for Taufik is that his backhand seems to have retired even before him. Taufik might as well go hard with his fancy backhand smashes and raise his odds of winning. You don't see him use that all that often anymore, especially against the Chinese and Chong Wei. Lin Dan always chokes when Taufik's backhand smashes are aimed at his chest. I'm hoping to see just that in their meeting, though I still think he stands a pretty slim chance against Lin Dan.
If TH able to beat LD, other players that are still survive to the next round will be in a frenzy mode for a Gold.
