CHONG WEI LOOMS AS THE MAN MOST LIKELY
GC2018 Badminton ambassador Wendy Chen has identified Malaysian superstar Lee Chong Wei and Indian players Saina Nehwal and Pursala Venkata Sindhu as athletes to watch in the fast-paced sport at the Games.
Chen, the reigning Oceania singles champion, is gunning for selection in the Australian badminton team for GC2018, which would mark her Commonwealth Games debut.
The 24-year-old, who was raised in Brisbane, has competed in tournaments all over the world including the Rio 2016 Olympics, where she placed 17th.
Chen said many eyes would be on Malaysian player Lee Chong Wei when he takes to the courts at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre.
“Lee Chong Wei has been dominating the sport for more than 10 years, he’s even written a book about it,” said Chen. “People really love him, he’s very fit.”
Chong Wei has won four Commonwealth Games gold medals despite missing the Glasgow Games in 2014 with a hamstring injury.
Chen highlighted former world No.1 and Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games singles champion Saina Nehwal and Olympic silver medallist and Glasgow 2014 bronze medallist Pursala Venkata Sindhu, both from India, as potentially some of the toughest opposition in the women’s competition.