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Chan Kin-wa

A possible showdown between Lin Dan of China and arch-rival Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia is the top attraction at the badminton world championships that start in Guangzhou today.
The duo met in the finals of both the 2012 London Olympics and the last world championships in London in 2011.
Lin, who prevailed in both contests, will be a huge favourite for the home crowd, particularly since his wife, former world champion Xie Xingfang, is from Guangzhou.
But his long absence from competition after the London Games puts a question mark on his match fitness, while his world ranking has dropped to 100 and he needed a wild card from the world governing body to enter the tournament.
The draw has also done Lin no favours as he is due to meet compatriot Chen Long in the quarter-finals before a chance to take on Lee, the world number one and tournament top seed.
Chen has been considered by many, including China national team coach Li Yongbo, the right replacement for Lin at the 2016 Olympic Games.
The 30-year-old Lin has undergone an extensive training stint in Qingdao along with teammates Chen, Du Pengyu and Wang Zhengming, with positive results being reported.
"Winning is not the most important target for me now," Lin said last week. "I want to play badminton for people who love the sport and I am not doing this to please the officials or my opponents."
The two-time Olympic gold medallist admitted it would be a big challenge for him to play against a strong field at the world championships due to his long absence from the competitive court. Lin only started in the Asian Championships in Taipei in April after the London Games, but withdrew through injury after winning the first three rounds.
But his coach Li remained upbeat about Lin's chances. "It would be very difficult for other 30-year-old players to come back at a major tournament after such a long absence. But he is Lin Dan. Let's wait and see."
Lin will meet Sattawat Pongnairat of the US in today's first round at Tianhe Indoor Stadium, while Lee will take on Scott Evans of Ireland and both are expected to progress easily.


'Wait and see' on Lin's comeback chances

Lin Dan in 2012. Photo: Dickson Lee

Sport

China

Chinese star returns in Guangzhou having hardly picked up a racquet since Olympics


A possible showdown between Lin Dan of China and arch-rival Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia is the top attraction at the badminton world championships that start in Guangzhou today.


'Wait and see' on Lin's comeback chances

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Chinese star returns in Guangzhou having hardly picked up a racquet since Olympics

Chinese star returns in Guangzhou having hardly picked up a racquet since Olympics