China aims to be a force at Nanjing badminton Worlds

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China, the most successful country in recent badminton history, will look to maintain that record when the country hosts the world championships starting next week in the eastern city of Nanjing.

China's charge at the Badminton World Federation tournament is being led by aging legend Lin Dan, the world number nine who is in the twilight of his brilliant career at 34.

Its women's team players are looking to rebound after their defeat in the semifinals by hosts Thailand at the Uber Cup in May. It was the first time since joining the competition in 1984 that China had failed to reach the final.

Zhang Jun, a former Olympian brought in to coach China's doubles teams, said that tasting disappointment can spur them on.

"Actually, losing could be a good thing, especially for the upcoming World Championships and Asian Games (in August). We can find the problems and learn from the losses," Zhang said.

China's most remarkable performance internationally was in winning all five gold medals at the London 2012 Olympics.

In a blow to the Nanjing showpiece, Lin's long-time rival Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia will be missing because of a respiratory illness, it was announced this week.

China's reigning Olympic champion Chen Long is meanwhile struggling for consistency, leaving holder and top seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, Japan's in-form Kento Momota and Kidambi Srikanth of India all fancied to go far.

Indonesian duo Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo are firm favorites in the men's doubles.

Shi Yuqi, 22, is the highest-ranked Chinese men's player, at three in the world, while in the women's draw Chinese Taipei's badminton player Tai Tzu-ying is the clear favorite. The 24-year-old Tai has lost just once this year and won an astonishing five titles.

Source(s): AFP