Players
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7th victory at stake, evolving legend LEE Chong Wei at center of the attention
Past year, after winning over Danish Jan O.JORGENSEN, his 6th victory, LEE commented as follows:
"Next year world championship is most likely to become the last for me. I will keep my best till the end. With Japan Open coming one month after the world championship, I want to achieve unbreakable record by winning it 7th time."
This tells us that yet to be acquired world champion title is his biggest goal. At the same time, he seems to be considering retirement.
Turning 35 years old this October, he is approaching that age when retirement may seem like a natural choice. 16years have passed since his first time joining the tournament in 2001 at age of 18. After many dramatic battles with opponents, his first victory came in 2007. Since then, his love for Japan brought him back almost every time. Winning 6 times, LEE has already achieved extraordinary record not to be easily updated.
That is the greatness of LEE Chong Wei.
So what gets him moving forward?
With such an outstanding record, he left Olympic Games in Beijing, London and Rio only with Olympic silver medals. World Championship was not more of luck. Joining 9 times, going through finals 3 times (2011, 2013, 2015) and ending with silver medals only.
Even being such a great player, there is still some things he could not reach yet. His thirst for absolute victory is the biggest motivation to keep forward and pursue his ongoing challenge.
He keeps determined with winning YONEX ALL England Open 4th time this year. Final match against SHI Yuqi (China), 21 year old, finished almost straight with only 10, 12 points. With his brilliant smash and net shots, he showed evolved swings perfectly sealing offence of his opponents.
Looking for evolved techniques at this tournament
Will he stay till Tokyo Olympic Games?
After All England Open, LEE Chong Wei commented:
"I had injury in February and was not in perfect condition. However, my strong desire to win helped me to make it come true. This is the biggest gain for me from this tournament".
Asked about his coming career, he replied:
"Why do I need to think about my retirement at this point? I will think about it when I can see my body is not responding well anymore. Now I still have a strong desire to be in the game, maybe even playing in Tokyo Olympic Games."
Looking back, after missing the gold medal at Reo Olympic games, we could feel LEE started considering his retirement. However, continuing winning gave him new wave of strength and let him see further into Tokyo Olympic Games."
To stay or to retire. This is the question even LEE himself most likely doesn't have an answer for.
One thing we can say for sure, even turning 34, LEE keeps his speed and power, and his play techniques are polished as never. Once again Japan Open is a chance to see his extraordinary play and strong sprit. We wish for more people to become a witness to this.
