WITH age catching up, Lee Chong Wei must be given the privilege to select his tournaments next year as the World No 1 will now need more recovery time to ensure he remains injury free for the 2016 Olympics.
China’s Lin Dan is given the privilege to pick his events by the China BA and it has turned out to be a win-win situation for both parties as the two-time Olympic champion is still performing in priority assignments.
As for Chong Wei, who turns 32 on Oct 21, the shuttler has not won a major except for being a three-time winner of the All England.
The shuttler is a three-time runner-up in the World Championships and also a two-time silver medallist in the Asian Games and the Olympics.
Chong Wei’s dream in the Asian Games was left unfulfilled after he crashed out to eventual gold medallist Lin Dan in the semi-finals in Incheon.
The 10-time Malaysian Open champion’s final opportunities to win a major are in next year’s world meet in Jakarta and the 2016 Olympics.
Chong Wei could retire as a ‘nearly man’ as Chen Long and Lin Dan will likely feature in both tournaments. Lin Dan has already decided to go for his third Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro.
The Malaysian has won four of 10 tournaments this year but the hectic schedule is affecting his performance.
He was ruled out of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games after injuring his ankle in training before failing to win titles in the world meet and the Asian Games.
The BA of Malaysia may pick a new coach for Chong Wei following his failure to make further progress under Tey Seu Bock.
The national body will likely reduce tournaments for Chong Wei next year. By Ajitpal Singh