CHOONG HANN CAN DO WELL IN NEW ROLE, SAYS CHRISTENSEN
Choong Hann and Xuanze to continue rivalry as supremos
ODENSE: Former Malaysian great Wong Choong Hann and Xia Xuanze of China used to be bitter rivals during their playing days.
Now, they will keep the rivalry going as the supremos of Malaysia and China national badminton teams respectively.
Choong Hann was appointed as the coaching director on Saturday, replacing the vacant spot left by Morten Frost of Denmark while Xuanze took charge after the departure of Li Yongbo after the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The height of their duel was when Xuanze defeated Choong Hann in the men’s singles final of the 2003 World Championships edition in Birmingham.
Both nations are struggling but China are still way ahead of Malaysia.
Former Danish great Peter GadeChristensen was not surprised that Choong Hann and Xuanze had been given the mandate to take their nations’ badminton to greater heights.
“Well, I think it’s a natural way for some retired players to take up coaching. I think Choong Hann and Xuanze have a huge passion for badminton,” said Christensen, who was the French head coach for two years since 2015 before moving his base back to Denmark.
“Following their active career and the passion for high-level badminton, they are able to work well with players.”
Although Choong Hann has just taken up the leadership role, Christensen said the Malaysian was not a newbie.
“I’m sure he will do well. My impression is that he already gained a lot of experience working in the coaching line (with the Pioneer Academy). He has also managed for some time now after his active career, he will be passionate about it,” he added.
Christensen said the badminton competitions in all events were more open.
“The tournament programme changed quite a lot and there are many tournaments for the best players,” he said.
The Dane feels that reigning Denmark Open champion Kento Momota of Japan is the player to beat but pointed out that Denmark’s former world champion Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen; Indonesians Anthony Ginting, Jonathan Christie; and Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen were not too far away.
“I think the men’s singles is quite open. As for China’s Lin Dan, Chen Long and hopefully Lee Chong Wei, too, – there are still question marks as to where they are in their careers.
“Hopefully we will see a group of players take the position before Tokyo (Olympic Games in 2020),” he said.
Christensen said there could be an intense rivalry in the men’s singles if the players were more stable.
“We want to see three or four of these players to set the standard. Each one of them, however, need to perform consistently in every tournament.
“Viktor ruled last year and this season is Momota’s. If they can rise, then we can have the big rivalries.”