He is not a man who would retire like that. He will go down fighting it all, until he doesn't qualify for the Tokyo Olympics Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
I thought it was reported some days ago that Lee Chong Wei declared:"I'll let you know when i'm retiring. Nobody can speak on my behalf." " There's no decision made yet."
PETALING JAYA: After 19 years of glorious service to the nation, Malaysia's badminton icon Lee Chong Wei looks set to hang up his racquet. The nation's most successful badminton player – with 69 singles titles to his name – is calling for a press conference at the Youth and Sports Minister's office on Thursday (June 13) believed to announce his decision to step away from the sport. Chong Wei has already met Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Badminton Association of Malaysia president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria to get their blessings to allow him to take it easy to avoid a relapse of his nose cancer, as prescribed by his doctor. Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/ba...irement-tomorrow-june-13/#6R98RwB0oAoLf3VH.99
So glad I am fortunate to witness and capture his last Major win on home ground defeating arguably the best men's single player at tht moment! Malaysia Open 2018
Going out like Taufik or LD? What do you mean by that? Taufik flamed out and LD is following Taufik's now?
Yeah, exactly. Taufik played another year or two where you could bet on him going out in the first 2 rounds against anyone and still win money, and LD is a weird mix where he declines steadily for a period and then suddenly has one good tournament - only basically go back to the same level as before that tournament right afterwards
Well I am for one so glad that LD didn't follow the selfish "pride" to retire and still advertising himself around the world. So worthless peasants like me and others could have a priceless experience of watching the GOAT play live. Say whatever you like, but if you could see how many crowds gathered whenever LD was on court, and how many left when he was not, he is doing good for the sport. 70% of the paying crowd was there just to see him. Otherwise the hall was almost empty. Anyway, I am not sure how I feel about LCW's retirement. But if playing for Olympics were his sole purpose of going on, then I guess that's his own decision to make.
Lin Dan has to play because he signed a contract with Yonex, right? Or is it enough for him to play a few exhibtion matches a year?
No idea why LD is playing, whatever reason is good enough for me. Breaking new records perhaps? For now he has to play in at least 12 exhibition matches a year because of the mandatory participation rule of the BWF. Anyhow he seems determined enough to qualify for Tokyo 2020, so I guess that's the only reason why he had been trying hard enough to pass a few rounds in any of the tournament. Three rounds x 12 tournaments = 36 matches at least a year. That must be really tough for him. Last year he only had to play mainly one or two rounds the most in one tournament. I sure hope LCW could really join LD in the quest. I understand his health should be his top priority. Especially that LCW playing style requires the fittest physical condition.
No need to make new record, his magnificent result is very very hard (for long long time) to break by any players : two-time OG gold medalist, five-time World Champs, two-time AG gold medalist, six-time All England winner.