The ones to beat: China’s Shi Yuqi and Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn (below) are two huge threats at the World Championships end of this month.
PETALING JAYA: Who will lift the prestigious men’s singles title at the World Championships?
Former All-England champion Hafiz Hashim believes China’s Shi Yuqi and Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn will be the frontrunners for the gold in Paris but is not ruling out a surprise winner at the meet from Aug 25-31.
World No. 1 Yuqi and defending champion Kunlavut have been two of the most consistent players this year and Hafiz feels the duo’s winning mentality makes them stand ahead of the rest of the pack.
Both have captured four individual titles each so far this year which is more than any other men’s singles players have managed.
“Yuqi and Kunlavut are possibly the favourites to become world champions this time,” said Hafiz.
“These two are big tournament players. They know how to win. They have the mentality of champions.”
Kunlavut will be out to become the first Thai to defend the world crown after he beat Japan’s Kodai Naraoka to claim the gold in 2023 in Copenhagen.
The prestigious meet was not held last year due to the Paris Olympics.
No Thai shuttler has ever won the world title more than once in any event.
For Yuqi, he will be eyeing his maiden gold in the prestigious meet after coming closest to the title in 2018 at home in Nanjing where he lost to Japan’s Kento Momota in the final.
The others who are likely to be vying for the title are Denmark’s world No. 2 Anders Antonsen, Yuqi’s teammate and world No. 4 Li Shifeng and Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie (No. 5).
While the pressure will be on the big names to deliver, Hafiz has backed rising Indonesian Alwi Farhan to be the surprise package in Paris.
World No. 23 Alwi was promoted from the reserves list after Denmark’s two-time former champion Viktor Axelsen pulled out due to injury.
“I would like to see Alwi spring a surprise. He is a young newcomer and he might be dangerous to many top players,” said Hafiz.
“He definitely lacks experience and mentality but he is heading in the right direction.”
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s chances for a medal in the men’s singles looks slim as there are fitness concerns surrounding Paris Olympics bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia, who has been troubled by an ankle injury while the country’s other representative in the event Leong Jun Hao still lacks consistency at the highest level.
