KUALA LUMPUR: Former World No 1 Lee Chong Wei has acknowledged that times have changed and it has gotten tougher for him with the emergence of up-and-coming shuttlers.
Fresh from winning the men’s singles gold medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, the 36-year-old is pumped up for the Asia Championships in Wuhan.
The two-time champion (2006 and 2016), faces China's Qiao Bin in the opening round on Wednesday.
Chong Wei, said: "I know that times have changed and it is not getting any easier for me.
"Young shuttlers out there are aiming for my scalp, but that's okay, I have come to accept the fact.
"What is more important is how I prepare myself for the challenge. Right now, I feel good, so I will focus on one match at a time."
Chong Wei, the fifth seed, is in the top half of the draw with World No 1 K. Srikanth of India. The Malaysian is expected to face Srikanth in the quarter-finals.
Other top shuttlers in the same half are Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen, China’s fourth seed Shi Yuqi of China and Japan's Kento Momota.
Five-time world champion Lin Dan and Olympic gold medallist Chen Long (both from China) are in the bottom half of the draw.
Other Malaysians competing in Wuhan are men's doubles Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Chooi Kah Ming-Low Juan Shen; women's singles Goh Jin Wei and Lee Ying Ying; women's doubles Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean and Soong Fie Cho-Tee Jing Yi; and mixed doubles Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie.