Aging legends hope to defy youngsters

Superstars Lin and Lee aim for gold at badminton world championships

China’s Lin Dan and Malaysian Lee Chong Wei are both in the twilight of their careers, but they remain among the leading lights at this week’s BWF World Championships in Glasgow.

Lin, 34 in October, is a five- time champion, and recognized as perhaps the greatest player of all time. So can he make it No. 6? “There are very many young players coming through, so it is a massive challenge,” admitted Lin, the seventh seed.

“I would be delighted to win again, but there is a lot of hard work to be done. There are a lot of hard players in the draw.”

Lee, who will turn 35 in October, is on a golden mission after being the best man and never the bridegroom too often – he has won three World Championship silver medals and three Olympic silvers.

“I am very focused, but it is going to be very hard,” said Lee, who showed he is still a force to be reckoned with by winning his fourth All- England title this season.

“At the Olympics, there are only two Chinese players, but here there are many more. The draw is very tough but I am going to do my best.”

So will this be the last World Champi- onship for Lin and Lee? With a knowing smile, they replied in unison, “I don’t know.”

On the women’s side, Carolina Marin is seeking to add a third world crown to her burgeoning medals cabinet.

The 24- year- old added to her luster by winning Olympic gold in Rio last year although she sets little store in the past.

“But this week I am forgetting about the past,” said Marin, who has slipped to fourth in the world rankings.

“My expectations are very high. I have had two great months of preparation and feel even better than at the Olympics.”

India’s fourth seed Pusarla Sindhu is bent on revenge having been beaten by Marin in the Olympic final and with two bronze medals in the worlds, in 2013 and 2014, she feels it is time to move up to the top step of the podium.

“I hope I do well this week and I want a change of color,” she said with a smile. “I want better than bronze.” Kirsty Gilmour, the No. 16 seed, is the local Scottish hope and a valid outsider for a medal having taken on a new coach.

“I am in great shape,” said the 23- yearold who underwent a knee operation after last year’s Olympic Games.