Chong Wei wishes arch foe all the best

Chong Wei hopes that his long-time nemesis and good friend Lin Dan can go all the way and win this year’s Malaysia Open.

In a post on his Facebook account yesterday, the former World No 1 expressed his joy at Lin Dan’s hard fought comeback win in the first round over Taiwan’s World No 3, Chou Tien Chen on Wednesday.

And Chong Wei was flattered by the comments made by the two-time Olympic champion, who referred to the Malaysian as a source of inspiration for him to continue playing.

“My arch-rival, yet my good pal, Lin Dan had a superb win over Taiwan’s Chou Tien Chen yesterday (Wednesday).

“After his (Lin Dan’s) win, I was flattered when he was quoted as saying ‘Because Chong Wei hasn’t retired from the badminton world, this has spurred me on to continue and I really hope to clash swords with him (Chong Wei) on court soon.

“To be able to compete with him (Chong Wei) at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games shall be a dream come true’,” Chong Wei wrote on Facebook.

Three-time Olympic silver medallist Chong Wei has also commented that he is looking forward to continue one of sport’s greatest rivalries at next year’s Olympics before they call time on their playing careers.

“Next year may be the fifth and final Olympic Games for me and my life’s greatest opponent.

“Akin to what I’ve mentioned earlier, God willing my body allows it. I hope to step on court in Tokyo as it will be a dream come true to be able to compete with him (Lin Dan) at the Olympics next year.”

Chong Wei also took the opportunity to wish Lin Dan the best of luck for this year’s Malaysia Open, going to the extent of saying that the former World No 1 is the only nonMalaysian that he wants to see win the title this year.

“My friend Lin Dan, you have my best wishes for this Malaysian Open. If I were to hope for a nonMalaysian to win the men’s singles title, I hope that it’s you my friend, my greatest opponent,” wrote Chong Wei.