Who will win the Men's Singles Gold medal at Rio Olympics ?

Let it known that I am the first one to vote here and I voted for Lin Dan.

 

This will be the last chance for Zhou Yu (LCW) to get revenge on Zhuge Liang (LD).

 

On hindsight, I'd say Lin Dan's motivation ebbed a fair bit after Beijing '08, then surged again in the lead-up to London 2012. After securing his second gold at London'12 attaining the pinnacle, Lin Dan has been struggling with motivation problems, explicitly. All the actions and activities he undertook whether in his personal life or badminton career were unmistakable signs of that.

Now I can only hope Lin Dan can regain his motivation to mount the summit again at Rio. In the beginning of the year, he started well, grabbing the German Open and the All England in style. However, he failed to follow it up with more sterling results, casting doubts in our minds if he is really up to it despite acquitting himself remarkably in the Thomas Cup, particularly in the manner he dealt with Lee Dong Keun.

If 2015, Lin Dan was in the doldrums, then I'd say 2016 thus far is a roller coaster ride. With Rio just barely two months away, will Lin Dan reach another crest in Rio ? There's no easy answer.

In the lead-up to London'12, Lin Dan's form and motivation wasn't too bad but certainly not as high as for Beijing'08, however,this time it's nowhere as good in the lead-up to Rio. Clearly, his overall condition in the quest for a three-peat is the worst of the three Olympics, excluding Athens which marked a different turning-point in his career.

 

“If (Zhou) Yu has already been born, why is (Zhuge) Liang to be born?”
“既生瑜, 何生亮?”

As we know, the above was Zhou Yu's famous last words. In history, Zhou Yu never succeeded in outsmarting Zhuge Liang.

@Qidong, are you implying the same ?

 

http://www.allenglandbadminton.com/next-stop-rio-who-will-win-the-coveted-olympic-gold/

Men’s singles

Earlier this month we saw Lee Chong Wei return to the top of the world rankings after an 18-month absence and now his attention will turn to the Olympic title which has so far eluded him.

Chong Wei may have led the world rankings for the best part of six years but he was denied gold at the 2008 and 2012 Games by long-time rival Lin Dan, having to settle for silver on both occasions.

And at 33-years-old, Chong Wei knows time is running out as he chases the biggest prize in badminton, but will go into the competition confident after his win in the BCA Indonesia Open earlier this month saw him reclaim top spot in the rankings.

Chong Wei will be Malaysia’s flag-bearer in Brazil and will be carrying the hopes of a nation as he looks to win his country’s first Olympic gold medal.

Among those standing in his way will be China’s Lin – winner of this year’s YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships and going for an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic title – and Chen Long, who was replaced at the summit by Chong Wei.

 

Zhuge Liang was an unmatched genius, too much superior to Zhou. At least according to the novel...

 

Chou Tien Chen 2016 Perfomance ? Tommy Sugiarto ? And Son Wan Ho 2016 Perfomance?

 

After Yang Yang and Wong Choon Han, earlier Peter Gade and then Taufik Hidayat, now let's hear from Zhao Jianhua
http://sports.sina.com.cn/others/badmin/2016-06-26/doc-ifxtmwei9308844.shtml

Zhao Jianhua said he believes Lin Dan and LCW will enter the Final at Rio but didn't pick who will win. He actually didn't mention Chen Long.

Both Yang Yang and Wong Choon Han picked Lin Dan, LCW and Chen Long.

Peter Gade favoured Lin Dan - “We have still to see the best of Lin Dan,” Gade reckoned. “He will come alive in a different way for the Olympics, I think..."

Taufik Hidayat is rooting for LCW.

 

SWH had a good Thomas cup campaign, but we'll need some time to see if he really can lift his level consistently. No way to tell before the Olympics, but he probably fits into teir two.

Right alongside CTC who keeps putting up good performances without actually converting them into titles. Still; he's did win a SS in 2014, so it wouldn't be completely out of the blue (even if it's a long time ago).

Tommy Sugiarto is a good player, but has neither the pure talent, nor the dedicated hard-work ethic (or physique) of the best players. Which is mostly reflected in his results. He'd be struggling to even be considered a dark horse. He also managed a SS title in 2013.

 

LCW : Lin Dan lebih bahaya di Olimpik

"Kedua-dua mereka cabaran besar bagi saya, tetapi Lin Dan lebih sukar diatasi kerana dia sudah bermain untuk tempoh yang lama dan mempunyai pengalaman luas. Kita tidak boleh pandang rendah terhadap mereka kerana tersingkir awal ada kejohanan-kejohanan Superseries kerana mereka mungkin tidak serius.

"Jika terlepas satu kejohanan Superseries, ada lagi satu, tetapi Olimpik hanya empat tahun sekali, maka cabarannya lain. Ia bergantung kepada kekuatan mental siapa yang lebih tinggi dan latihan habis-habisan untuk dua bulan ini," katanya kepada pemberita ketika ditemui selepas sesi latihan di sini, hari ini.

Translation:

LCW : " Lin Dan is more dangerous when it comes to Olympic"

"They both are my toughest enemies, but Lin Dan is more difficult to defeat because he's been playing for so long and has vast experience. We're not going to underestimate them just because they're going home early in Superseries, because maybe they're not playing seriously."

"It will all comes down to who has the strongest mentality and train the hardest in the last two months."

.............end quote.


LCW is actually hinting maybe both LD and CL haven't been very serious in Superseries.

 

That is exactly what I have been saying..... only in CO and AE was LD showing his true playing capability.

 

LCW was echoing Tey Seu Bock about how LD poses a huge threat to their first Gold Rio dream. I've read an old article where Tey Seu Bock mentioned LD will rise to occasion during the big titles, how his unpredictable plays and incredibly strong mental in big events is worrysome to become stumbling stones for LCW.

 

https://www.olympic.org/news/lin-dan-and-the-quest-for-an-olympic-hat-trick

“There can only be one Lin Dan in the world,” Lee said. “We have developed a good friendship over the years.”

“Lee is such a brilliant rival,” Lin said. “I treasure the opportunities we have to play each other. Who knows whether we will play each other in four years’ time? But in any case, we’re going to be very good friends.”

 

Quite true, these great rivals know in their hearts what the others are up to, whether they are going all out, holding back or other reasons,such as fatigue, off form, injury concerns or other ideas.

Because they are so familiar with each other's games that just after several points played or at certain stage of the match, they could sense if their opponents are playing to their true capacity or not in terms of speed, power, accuracy and mentality. All the time whenever they meet, they are sizing each other up and trying read their opponent's mind and state of preparation - its basically not only a battle of skills but also of wits and willpower as well as stratagems.

That's why only when the two great opponents are at their best, usually in matches that matter more, will it be a true test of their relative strengths. On the few occasions when one side wins too easily, the victor knows better than to lull himself into complacency.

LCW understands this better than anyone as he is always at the receiving end of Lin Dan's true prowess at all the major championships. Even the much younger Chen Long is fully aware of this, humbly admitting he still has a lot to learn from his illustrious senior, Lin Dan, and wants very much to emulate him ,particularly in supreme self-confidence ,inner belief and mental toughness.

 

LD and LCW are good friends. But their fans hate each others!!! hahah

 

What about Dong Jiong's take on Rio? http://sports.sina.com.cn/others/badmin/2016-06-27/doc-ifxtmwei9310509.shtml

He also think it's between Lin Dan and LCW but added they are both no longer at their pinnacle which he thinks is in 2008 (I'd have thought that's more Lin Dan's summit than LCW's - Justin).

As for his views of Chen Long, he said to give Chen Long more time to consolidate his strengths and become stronger, " Chen Long is at the stage where he should be maintaining his form, not so much to surpass others (implying LD and LCW), therefore give him more time. At this Olympics, perhaps Chen Long can change others' opinion of him. I think Chen Long is still (relatively) young at the moment, he should still need to go through the baptism of big matches, then only can he stand firm at the top."

 

my pick is Chen Long.
I rated their chances are CL, LD, LCW/VA in that order.

 

True that.

Lee Chong Wei actually carries the whole nation's hope with him for first gold while Lin Dan is representing China, which is one of Olympics giants. There will be less pressure on Lin Dan. I still remember a sad incident when one LCW fan passed away from heart attack when he lost in London 2011.

LD vs LCW part 3, if become reality will be the match of the decade. It has come with a prequel and sequel with dramatic spin offs (WC) in 2013.

But most importantly this will be the last match of these two best friends. I'm going to be sad not being able to see this two anymore after Rio.

Thank you for all the great matches Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei!