There was a face off between four-time world champion Lin Dan of China and world No 1 Lee Chong Wei on the eve of the World Championships at Tianhe Gymnasium.
The “duel” was not on the badminton court though but in a packed press conference attended by all the international media.
The tanned looking Lin Dan and a more relaxed Chong Wei did not hide their strong desires to win at the world championships and openly declared “war”.
Lin Dan, did not mince his word and said that his return to the competitive world via the wild card was already a sign of his strong intention of winning.
“I have returned after a year and this shows that I am serious in winning the world title. I have prepared well and my fans will only see the best from me,” said Lin Dan.
Chong Wei did not back down as well and declared that his hunger to become the first world champion had grown by the day.
“The World Championships is important to all players and I have come close when I lost in the final (in 2011). This time, I will throw all my best to nick it,” he said.
Both shook hands and smiled after the press conference but if their determination is anything to go by - expect none of them to pull their punches.
With both drawn in different halves, they are expected to class - barring any upsets - in the final and what a fitting finale it will be for the 20th edition of the world meet.
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