Chinese look favourites

Dave Thompson

China, boosted by their Sudirman Cup triumph, look set for a bonanza week when the World individual badminton championships start on Tuesday.

Four gold medallists from last year's Sydney Olympics head up a formidable team which is on a new high after winning the Sudirman Cup for the fourth time in succession on Saturday.

Such is the strength in depth, that Ji Xinpeng, men's singles champion in Sydney, is seeded below compatriots Chen Hong and Xia Xuanze.

The same applies to women's singles gold medallist Gong Zhichao, rated lower in the seedings than Zhou Mi and Gong Ruina.

But many who saw Gong Zhichao destroy World champion Camilla Martin 11-1, 11-0 in the Sudirman Cup semifinals against Denmark felt sure they were watching the next World champion.

Gong underlined the impression with a clinical victory in the final against Indonesia in the match that clinched the tie 3-1.

The men's singles seems more open. Any of the Chinese could win it on their day and but top seed Roslin Hashim of Malaysia, who skipped the Cup to concentrate on the individuals, is a clear danger.

Former world number one Peter Gade of Denmark may do better without the burden of being top-seeded and Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat has the right pedigree too.

All England champion Pullela Gopichand of India could follow up the breakthrough he made in Birmingham in March but as current top dog he is there to be shot at this time round.

In the mixed doubles, Zhang Jun and Gao Ling could well add to the gold medal they won in Sydney, as could the Indonesian Tony Gunawan in the men's doubles though this time round he partners Halim Haryanto.

One thing is sure, though. With temperatures still nudging 40C in the street and 32C courtside all the new champions are going to be made to sweat for it.