Lin Dan foresees Shi Yu Qi as a major challenge for Lee Zii Jia in Olympics

KUALA LUMPUR: According to Chinese badminton legend Lin Dan, world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi might have an advantage over Lee Zii Jia in a potential Olympic semi-final clash if his predictions come true.

Lin Dan, a two-time Olympic champion (Beijing 2008 and London 2012), foresees a potential final showdown between Yu Qi and Denmark’s defending champion Viktor Axelsen. He is confident that Yu Qi, in form this year, will secure the gold medal at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena in Paris on August 5.

At 40 years old, Lin Dan believes Yu Qi will capitalize on his second Olympic appearance, having only reached the quarter-finals in Tokyo three years ago. With Yu Qi expected to be 32 by the 2028 Los Angeles Games, there is a strong urgency for him to achieve success in Paris.

Yu Qi aims to restore China’s dominance in men’s singles, potentially becoming only the fourth Chinese player to win Olympic gold after Ji Xinpeng (Sydney 2000), Lin Dan, and Chen Long (Rio 2016). This year, Yu Qi has been outstanding, securing four Super 750 or higher titles: the India Open, French Open, Singapore Open, and Indonesia Open, which has propelled him to the top of the world rankings, surpassing Axelsen.

“Yu Qi is clearly focused on excelling at this year’s Olympics,” Lin Dan told Chinese media recently. “He’s not thinking about the next Games; he’s fully dedicated to making the most of this opportunity. His performances this year show he has the capability to win gold. Achieving this success is crucial for his confidence; without it, the gold might seem out of reach.”

Although Yu Qi is the favorite, he faces strong competition on his path to gold. A highly competitive Zii Jia, alongside world No. 4 Anders Antonsen from Denmark, Thailand’s reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, and Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting, pose significant challenges.

Yu Qi is expected to top Group A, which includes Italy’s Giovanni Toti and Suriname’s Soren Opti, securing him a direct spot in the quarter-finals. His primary challenge is likely to come from Kunlavut in the quarter-finals. Should he advance, he may face Zii Jia, Antonsen, or Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Anthony in the semi-finals.

Historically, Yu Qi has had the upper hand against Zii Jia, winning five out of their six encounters. Their most recent match in the Thomas Cup semi-finals saw Yu Qi dominate with a 21-19, 21-5 victory. Zii Jia’s sole win came in January 2020 at the Malaysia Open quarter-finals. However, Zii Jia’s recent triumphs at the Thailand Open and Australia Open demonstrate that he is a formidable opponent.

Lin Dan eagerly anticipates a final between Yu Qi and Axelsen. Despite Axelsen leading their head-to-head record 9-3, Lin Dan believes that the momentum is now in Yu Qi’s favor.

“Axelsen is under considerable pressure as he seeks to defend his title, which can be challenging at the Olympics,” Lin Dan said. “Mentally, Yu Qi might have an advantage. He is very clear about his goals, ready to unleash his full potential, and showcase his best form. Although Axelsen was the favorite in recent years, Yu Qi has truly come into his own this year. He is determined not to let the gold medal slip away.”