Li Yongbo commends his shuttlers for brilliant performance in 2012 London Olympics
National head coach Li Yongbo looked ecstatic over China’s clean sweep in the London Olympics and he commended his shuttlers’ efforts in the mega event.
China created history by claiming all of five gold medals in badminton event as Lin Dan and Li Xuerui ruled in Men’s and Women’s Singles events respectively.
Similarly, Women’s Doubles crown belonged to Zhao Yunlei-Tian Qing whereas Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng and Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei clinched gold medals in Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles events respectively.
The badminton guru Li Yongbo was dancing on air and he praised these national campaigners for raising his country’s flag in front of whole world.
He said, "I'm proud of them. They came out to play the final under huge pressure. They did it."
However, not everything worked according to plan as China triggered a controversy in the mega event when its top Women’s Doubles pair Yu Yang-Wang Xiaoli faced disqualification due to match-throwing scandal.
Later, pressure was so immense that Li Yongbo had to apologise publically for playing dirty. He stated that disqualification is enough punishment for his players and world federation should not consider a lifetime ban on these shuttlers.
This setback put all the responsibility on the shoulders of Zhao and Tian on the Women’s Doubles flank.
Li admired these female shuttlers for showing strong character to escort the country to glory in the mega event.
He said, "It wasn't easy. Especially the doubles gold. After the No 1 pair's disqualification, I know all the global attention was on this match. I'm so glad we were able to make it."
World Number two pair Zhao Yunlei-Tian Qing unseated Japanese team Mizuki Fujii-Reika Kakiiwa by sealing a straight-set victory.
The 25-year-old member of the duo Zhao admitted that there was huge pressure on them but she thanked that they did not blunder and managed to fetch the fifth gold medal for the country.
She said, "The pressure was much bigger than playing in the mixed doubles. I was scared to lose this gold. I was totally relieved after the victory."
While praising Zhao-Tian, Li Yongbo did not forget teenager Li Xuerui who thrashed her experienced compatriot shuttler Wang Yihan to clutch gold medal in her Olympic debut.
The chief coach expressed his contentment over the performance of the young campaigner and declared her future asset for the country.
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