New format may tempt Chong Wei
Published on: Thursday, September 15, 2016
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei said a new scoring format could tempt him to extend his career to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and take yet another shot at an elusive badminton gold medal.The 33-year-old's interest has been piqued by the Badminton World Federation's (BWF) experiments with an 11-point, best-of-five system, instead of the traditional 21-point, best-of-three format.Lee said Chinese fellow veteran Lin Dan, a two-time Olympic champion, may also be persuaded to play on under the new system, which is considered less physically demanding and therefore better for older players.
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"Nothing is confirmed yet, but if there is indeed a change I could very well compete at the Tokyo Olympics," Lee was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper on Wednesday."Even Lin Dan might play on as the 11-point system would mean shorter matches... which is better for senior players like us."We certainly have the experience. Playing in shorter matches is definitely better because I believe we can control the shuttlecock better."The BWF was not immediately available to comment on the new scoring format, which was trialled last week at an under-19 event in Malaysia.
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Lee had previously said that last month's Rio Olympics, where he finished runner-up for the third Games in a row, would be his last.Despite failing once again to deliver Malaysia's first ever gold medal, and a doping ban last year, Lee enjoys superstar status in his home country, where the BWF is based.
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Meanwhile, five-time Japan Open Super Series winner Lee has set his sights on a sixth title when the tournament starts from Sept 20-25.Lee has been preparing diligently despite shuttling between training and incentive presentation ceremonies."To me this tournament is very important to me...we have slowed down intensive training after the Rio Olympics. However, we will be preparing well before heading for the tournament because it will not be a holiday."Furthermore, the Japan Open Super Series will be offering points to qualify for the Dubai World Superseries Finals and only eight players will be listed," he told reporters when met at the presentation of Proton Perdana 2.4L cars to winners of medals at the Rio Olympics at the Proton Excellence Centre, here Wednesday. Lee has won the Japan Open in 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014.Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin witnessed the ceremony to hand over the cars to the medal winners.Lee was rewarded a Proton Perdana 2.4L which was presented by DRB-Hicom group managing director and Proton chairman Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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