AS far as former international Datuk James Selvaraj is concerned, Lee Chong Wei was physically drained in the last two months from playing too many tournaments. This factor was exploited by his China rivals Lin Dan and Chen Long.
Chong Wei has had a stellar year until the World Championships in London in August where Lin Dan narrowly beat him. After that, physical and mental exhaustion took its toll on the World No 1 and he started cracking after that.Since his World Championships triumph, Lin Dan had beaten Chong Wei twice while Chen Long was the surprise package with the 22-year-old World No 3 beating Chong Wei three times in their last four meetings beginning with the Japan Open in September.
Selvaraj, who is also the BAM high performance director, said the fact that Chong Wei's hectic schedule of playing 19 tournaments, has taken its toll on him.
Chen Long subdued the Malaysian in the semi-finals of the World Super Series Finals in Liuzhou in three games while Lin Dan captured the title yesterday with a one-sided victory over Chen Long.
"Chong Wei was a different player at the beginning of the year, very fit and deceptive but he has played one too many and gone into overdrive. He is 29 and was totally drained out over the last two months because of the hectic schedule," said Selvaraj.
"He has to focus only on the main tournaments next year and spend more time on preparations in the seven months leading up to the London Olympics. He must cut down on tournaments and I have already proposed this to the coaching and training committee.
"Chong Wei has learnt a lot from in the last few tournaments and he must be fully watchful of not just Lin Dan. Chen Long has improved so much that he is on par and sometimes even better than Chong Wei.
"Both Lin Dan and Chen Long know how to counter Chong Wei and they seem to be well prepared in waiting for his returns and could dictate terms. Chen Long is powerful, young and uses his height to maximum effect.
"China are fortunate to have several players who are on par and have different styles to cater to the sparring of Lin Dan and Chen Long.
"We don't have that luxury but Chong Wei can gain through higher intensity and an improvement in his fitness level. For example, coaches can use three against one sessions to keep the pressure on Chong Wei where he gets quality sparring.
"Video analysis is very important where Chong Wei can go through his current matches with the two China shuttlers and come up with new tactics to outwit them."
Former national player Foo Kok Keong urged Chong Wei to bounce back and work towards his goal, which is to win the Olympic gold.
"Chong Wei has stated that the Olympics is his priority and he shouldn't be disheartened by his recent defeats. He must not lose heart but keep fighting and continue his hardwork. Olympic glory is what he wants and he must keep battling," said Kok Keong.
But time seems to be running out for men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong who suffered another blow after losing all three matches in the World Super Series Finals.
Cheah Soon Kit, who won silver in the Olympics with Yap Kim Hock in 1996, said the duo must overcome their main weakness, which is fitness, if they wish to bounce back.
Fitness has been one of Soon Kit's strong points as the shuttler managed to sustain a long career without major injuries and was the first Malaysian shuttler to play in three Olympics.
"Kien Keat and Boon Heong must overcome the most basic weakness which is their fitness. If they can improve on this aspect, I think they can challenge the top pairs again," said Soon Kit.
"The intensity and speed of the men's doubles these days have gone up several notches and a higher level of fitness is needed to compete on the world stage.
"They have also been down for long and this is where the coaches can help. Sometimes, the players lose their way even when they are trying very hard and the coaches can contribute by encouraging the players and continuously motivating them."
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