In that case, the Super Dan better make sure he gonna grab the BAC title tomorrow, his back-to-back 2nd title after his long hiatus following the last year's WC, thus the BWF won't have the shortsighted decision to miss its wildcard upon the most talented player and the defending champion... May 2nd?? They even miss to observe the shuttlers' participation and performances in the upcoming Thomas Cup and Uber Cup, the most prestigious team events!
If I were BWF, my biggest concern would be whether LD will play the SS events before WC or pull out to prepare for WC like he did last year. This is a great opportunity to extract something from LYD such as free fight among teammates and more support (player participations) for tournaments.
>> If I were BWF, my biggest concern >> would be whether LD will play the SS >> events before WC or pull out to prepare >> for WC like he did last year. Why? Winning GPG or similar point events such as BAC can bring you up to 3rd in the World rankings... By the way, could the sponsorship delay be a result of BWF participation uncertainty? I mean, for a company like Adidas WC exposure would be of tremendous value. And if LD is not given access to WC maybe his whole comeback plan and hunger to win again would suffer a big hit... If LiNing is in money problems he could also just still be playing LiNing anonymous rackets (n90) until a new contract is signed, to put pressure on the negotiations - and LiNing could be in a WC wild card waiting game before extending...
Lin Dan just claimed his 2nd back-to-back title in 2014 BAC Lin Dan just claimed his 2nd back-to-back title in 2014 Badminton Asia Championships to reaffirm his 2nd comeback! [TABLE="class: ruler matches"] [TR] [TD][/TD] [TD]MS [/TD] [TD="align: right"][TABLE] [TR="bgcolor: transparent"] [TD="align: right"]Lin Dan[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [/TD] [TD="align: center"]-[/TD] [TD][TABLE] [TR="bgcolor: transparent"] [TD][/TD] [TD]Sasaki Sho[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [/TD] [TD]14-21 21-9 21-15[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD="align: right"]1:06[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Lets wait n see whether WBF will do the good to uphold the quality of 2014 WC by granting the wildcard to the Super Dan
Apparently no wild card given to LD. http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php/138202-2014-WC-Qualifications/page2
Last year, the BWF secretary also said, in no uncertain terms, no wildcard for LD. But who won the title? It's not over until the fat lady sings. There are still a few days to go.
What Redshuttle said is true.However, there is one difference between this year and last year.Last year, at this time, Lin Dan is absent from the international scene.This year, Lin dan has already won two tournaments already so far.
Last year LD benefited in getting a wild card because he is from the host country. IIRC there's a small rule that says that the host country is allowed a wild card if necessary. This year being in Denmark, any wild card will be from Denmark... so Peter Gade could qualify.
If PG officially declared his retirement and is not currently part of the drug testing program, then I don't think he is eligible. For example, Bao ChunLai declared his retirement early in order to escape from the drug testing program, so he can treat his injuries with certain drugs. Since Denmark has representatives already, Danish BA does not have a wild card anyway. Before the rule change effective last year, the host BA can freely field a wild card in each discipline, as Malaysia did when they were the host.
We just heard that BWF is not using their wild cards opportunities, so no wild card for Lin Dan. Apparently BWF has informed their members yesterday.
see the last page of Regulations for Eligibility and Processing of Entries for World Championships (Annex I).http://www.bwfbadminton.org/file.aspx?id=524479&dl=1
Just had the same information : no Wild Card for Lin Dan at the WC2014 ! If I'm correct, that's means that Lin Dan will not participate to the WC2014, since the Eligible players list has not beeen selected by the elegible players list ?Can someone confirm ?
the date for bwf to publish the wild cards, if any, is 8th May. on the same date, member associations required to confirm their players from BWF's list published last Friday (25th April). if wild card not granted for LD by 8th May, China has options either to submit their top 3 players (without LD), or 2 players with Chen Long and Lin Dan. If China decided to field their top 3 without LD on 8th May, they still has until 22nd May to submit LD to replace their 2nd and 3rd MS.
this is an added bonus for China just to field CL and LD only as it will ensure that they will be draw in different halves and LCW needs to beat both to have a chance for the title.
I'm shocked that BWF is not giving wild card. Let me ask a simple question: Why does wild card even exist? Who is more qualified to receive a wild card than 2 time Olympic champion, former world #1, 5 time world champion, and DEFENDING world champion? If there's ever a player to use wild card on, it should be Lin Dan. If Lin Dan does not deserve a wild card, no player should ever receive a wild card. Just remove the wild card system then.
I'm still hopeful that Lin Dan will get the wild card. But my main argument and wishful thinking is for BWF to amend the rule and allow the defending champion automatic qualification based on its own merits without the need to use wild card and not based on ranking at all. In that case, the wild card would be still open to others if necessary and the rest of the WC rules and regulations still apply.However, should BWF in the end decided not to award the wild card to Lin Dan, then I would go along with what AlanY pointed out and I'd suggest that CBA send only Lin Dan and Chen Long such that they would be in different halves of the draw thus requiring LCW to meet both of them for the title.
In a way I understand what you're saying because it's true, obviously. But you can't forget the past. If Lin Dan got a Wild Card twice, it would have been quiet a shock for those who battled hard during months too barely qualify. What would we say if next year LCW, CL and JOJ decided to leave 6 months like LD did twice ?
Whether LD gets a wild card has nothing to do with LCW, CL, and JOJ. It's not a stretch to call LD the best MS player of all time. LCW, CL, and JOJ cannot compare their accomplishments with his