Jan O Jorgensen will opt for a cool, calm and collected approach to the World Championships. - AFP
COPENHAGEN: A timely title in Indonesia. A summer holiday in Maldives.
It could not get any better for Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen as he approaches this year’s World Championships relaxed and his morale sky high.
“I had a big win at the Indonesia Open and rewarded myself with a holiday in Maldives. It was a great month,” said Jorgensen.
Last June, the 26-year-old Jorgensen became the first European in 32 years to win the singles title in Jakarta.
“I have a good feeling of what I am capable of and that is helpful,” said Jorgensen, who had been preparing hard after the short break.
Barring any upsets, Jorgensen will face top seed Lee Chong Wei in the semi-finals and the match could go down the wire – if the Dane has his way.
“I have been in training camp for the last seven weeks ... I’m ready to play. The draw is quite good and obviously I am going for a medal.”
In his debut in Paris (2010), he crashed out in the second round.
A heart ailment saw him withdrawing from London (2011) but bounced back strongly in Guangzhou last year by reaching the quarter-finals.
“Simon (Santoso)’s withdrawal is good for me and my compatriot Viktor (Axelsen). There is a chance to make it an all-Danish affair in the quarter-finals.
“There is a possibility of meeting Chong Wei (in the semis) but I am looking that far ahead.
“This year the pressure is on Chong Wei despite Lin Dan’s absence. He still has not won the world title and that could put unnecessary pressure on him.”
For Jorgensen, to become the third Dane to win the world title after Flemming Delfs (1977) and Peter Rasmussen (1997) would be a dream come true.
“But I am just taking all this in a relaxed manner, I feel that is the right way to go about it”.
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