Lee Hyun Il qualms on Korea not having young talent in the Men’s Singles category – Badminton news
Korea’s famous Men’s Singles shuttler, Lee Hyun Il, qualms over the fact that Korea is lacking young talent in the category of Men’s Singles, which is reducing the chances of the nation to put up a strong show in major international tournaments.
Lee Hyun, who is busy at the 2011 World Championships in London, announced his retirement a couple of years ago but he had to join the Korean squad again as there were no young shuttlers who could become his true successors in the Men’s Singles category.
Now, he intends to leave the international arena of badminton after the 2012 London Olympics.
Lee Hyun said, “This is my last World Championships. I will hang on until the London Olympic Games and then I am leaving for good.”
Hyun emphasised on the fact that young shuttlers of Korea have less hunger in them, which is a necessary factor to become a world-class player. This is also the reason for the declining number of players in the category of Men’s Singles. He said, “The drive
to excel in badminton is not there among the younger generation. We do not have many singles players coming through. Even if there are players, they are more interested in playing the doubles event.”
The 31-year-old Lee Hyun wants to remain focused for the current mega event and the 2012 London Olympics. While talking about the best shuttler in the world at the moment, Lee Hyun said, “Lin Dan (of China) is the best player at the moment. I think he was,
still is and will be for some time. It will not be easy to win when he is around.”
The Korean veteran wants to play to his full potential at the current World Championships and the 2012 Olympic Games. He said, “I will be satisfied with fighting displays in my last two major events – here (world meet) and the Olympics.”
World Number 15, Lee Hyun, has entered into the Men’s Singles third round of the World Championships, where he is set to meet the World Number Two, Lin Dan, who has progressed in the event without facing any trouble from any challenger in the previous rounds.
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