It is true though, since it is practically impossible to reach peak form twice in a 3 month period. But this year might be different, records are meant to be broken, anyway.
Busy at work... I am not a wealthy person yet, probably in the next 2 years when my company starts to generate sales over the millions then I will sit in front of my computer screen and respond to each and every one of you guys' posts.
his bodyguards also want the gold no doubt about it. everyone in here always try to create an opinion that LD can successfully dominates the world badminton through the help from his teammates
don't forget, TH lost in WC 99, OG 00, WC 01 & 03. 2 success vs 4 failures. u can't tell that he is the master in multi-year event
LD had ever won 26 titles. each 2 titles in CO & CM, and 22 titles from int'l tourneys. proved that he can win in any countries. no need for the bad line call.
winston..winston... when i say taufik is special n he doesnt lose that magical power like my hafiz did..will u agree?
The simple answer to this question is yes, Lin Dan can and has a big chance to win the Gold. But as some forummers have mentioned, he is not immune to pressure. And unfortunately, he is the one under pressure to win it for the hosts, his other teammates have been found lacking even in Super Series. This is similarly a burden to LCW, and we saw how he cracked in the WC last year. Taufik, on the other hand, was not really under pressure to win the huge titles that he won (Olympic 2004, WC 2005, AG 2006). Yes, the pressure was there, but not of the same amount as what is being carried by Lin Dan. Though I must say that Taufik is able to carry huge pressure during matches, his come from behind victories over WCH and Jonassen paving the way for Olympic and WC title respectively, and beating LD in the AG individual final after losing in the team competition. It does help when expectations are not on you ..... Lee Hyun-il showed that well enough in Korea.
Obviously, the Beijing crowd would be behind LD. He will be under lots of pressure to win. But having said that, everyone is under pressure to win as this is such an important event. I don't know what is offered by other countries but Malaysia is rewarding a gold with RM 1 million (about USD$300K). This is the biggest amount ever awarded. LCW will be aiming for that. His form is very encouraging. Even with a fever (and understandably weaker), he won the MO. I think if LCW carries his form into the year, LD would have to dig deep amd find 'a million reasons' to win this.
I put my money on LD. He will be playing in his own backyard with local support. As this is a biggie event, the pressure will be tremendous. And I believe LD can handle pressure better than LCW. I believe LD contenders in Beijing will actually come from BCL and Taufik, maybe even Peter Gade. I dont think LCW will make it beyond the q/finals because of his tendency to freeze in the big events. And I think that RM1 million carrot may act as a distraction to LCW as he will be putting himself under more pressure to win that Olympic gold.
I would have agreed with you early last year. But with a few titles under his belt, it is no longer the same LCW (that tendency to freeze, even though I admit happened, is not a thing that will haunt him again). A person does grow out of this through experience. Everybody matures. His game has matured immensely (not just). With his hard yakka type workrate, I cannot see him faltering again. That million ringgit incentive is making him work harder - the hard work will give him the strength and confidence to compete. If he does lose to LD/others, it won't be through freezing, not the way you put it. It is so easy for us to brand someone, if we want to.
Yeah.. ..tell me about it..That total alone will equal the same amt of the Korean Open SS prize money..Heck, and unlike the SS prize money, the total won't get divvied up to several other players..
I heard there are other private sponsors - so if he does not do well, I will be surprised. So much is at stake for him and the doubles. There is an 'expectation' which should augur well when you think about it. If he makes it, I will be most happy for him because he will be the first male Malaysian millionaire in sport. The female, of course, is Malaysian Nicol David (she must be pretty close to being a millionaire).
