After the dust has settled and the tears have been wiped away, I muster the strength to comment on this final purely from a Badminton fan perspective.
LD is one of a kind never to be seen in another 50 years. But this time the gold was not a sure thing.
He had to muster his superior mental strength to win this one.
LD's game and skill. From 2008 onwards, LD game has not changed much but compared to pre 2008 the past four years has seen him playing a more relaxed style of play. This is to conserve energy and to peak at the right time for the majors.
The technique he displayed over the last 4 years right up to the final has not changed. His overhead smashes , I believe, are not as powerful as say in 2005 or 2006 but the accuracy and timing is perfect. The way he demolished Lee Hyun Il with selectively timed smashes is sublime. He made it look so simple.
Physically, LD's natural make up is superior to LCW.
No matter how hard LCW can train his muscles, short off taking anabolic steriods, he would not be able to match LD physically. The other person who may be on par with LD physically (muscle power) is Sho Sasaki but he doesnt have the wide range of techniques to put himself on top.
Nothing has changed tactically and technically for LD in this final.<br><br>For LCW,
His movement and speed around the court for the few matches before the final was slow and hesitant. This could be he wanted to just play in a speed so as not to risk a recurrence of his injury before the finals. But his arms seem to have been beef upped a bit.
His technique has changed however. He uses a lot slices to bring the shuttle down instead of outright whipping. <br><br>His net play, although was giving him lots of problems in earlier rounds was inch perfect in the semis and the finals.
He seemed to mixed up his speed, with accurate half and combination smashes to make LD guessing the speed of the shuttle.
This has contributed to LD making many unforced errors thus losing the first game.
Then I am reminded of Xiong Guo Bao views on how LCW could beat LD a few months before OG 12. He remarked that LD is physically superior in power and speed not to mention techniques. There was no point in straining your body to break point , you will only risk injury. Better concentrate on the skills and techniques.
How prescience that observation was. LCW was injured right after that I read that remarked. So I guess LCW went back to the drawing board and have to play in a way to minimise putting strain on his injury.
The difference in the finals. I believe is the decision made in Court that determine the out come. Had LCW not let that shuttle fall thinking LD had hit too long at 19-18, LCW had a higher probability to win because the momentum was moving his way.
That mistake caused him to lose focus and LD saw his chance and grabbed it.
What do BC'ers think, I'd like input on my observations on techniques.
Final word, LD and LCW have taken men's singles to such high degree that coaches in major badminton countries are studying the games of these two to ensure future stars will be endowed with their respective innovations.
LD is one of a kind never to be seen in another 50 years. But this time the gold was not a sure thing.
He had to muster his superior mental strength to win this one.
LD's game and skill. From 2008 onwards, LD game has not changed much but compared to pre 2008 the past four years has seen him playing a more relaxed style of play. This is to conserve energy and to peak at the right time for the majors.
The technique he displayed over the last 4 years right up to the final has not changed. His overhead smashes , I believe, are not as powerful as say in 2005 or 2006 but the accuracy and timing is perfect. The way he demolished Lee Hyun Il with selectively timed smashes is sublime. He made it look so simple.
Physically, LD's natural make up is superior to LCW.
No matter how hard LCW can train his muscles, short off taking anabolic steriods, he would not be able to match LD physically. The other person who may be on par with LD physically (muscle power) is Sho Sasaki but he doesnt have the wide range of techniques to put himself on top.
Nothing has changed tactically and technically for LD in this final.<br><br>For LCW,
His movement and speed around the court for the few matches before the final was slow and hesitant. This could be he wanted to just play in a speed so as not to risk a recurrence of his injury before the finals. But his arms seem to have been beef upped a bit.
His technique has changed however. He uses a lot slices to bring the shuttle down instead of outright whipping. <br><br>His net play, although was giving him lots of problems in earlier rounds was inch perfect in the semis and the finals.
He seemed to mixed up his speed, with accurate half and combination smashes to make LD guessing the speed of the shuttle.
This has contributed to LD making many unforced errors thus losing the first game.
Then I am reminded of Xiong Guo Bao views on how LCW could beat LD a few months before OG 12. He remarked that LD is physically superior in power and speed not to mention techniques. There was no point in straining your body to break point , you will only risk injury. Better concentrate on the skills and techniques.
How prescience that observation was. LCW was injured right after that I read that remarked. So I guess LCW went back to the drawing board and have to play in a way to minimise putting strain on his injury.
The difference in the finals. I believe is the decision made in Court that determine the out come. Had LCW not let that shuttle fall thinking LD had hit too long at 19-18, LCW had a higher probability to win because the momentum was moving his way.
That mistake caused him to lose focus and LD saw his chance and grabbed it.
What do BC'ers think, I'd like input on my observations on techniques.
Final word, LD and LCW have taken men's singles to such high degree that coaches in major badminton countries are studying the games of these two to ensure future stars will be endowed with their respective innovations.
)for badminton world. 
