Birdievents.com

No one wants to get old fast, especially when he is enjoying what he is doing and pretty much on the peak of performance.  Peter Hoeg Gade just turned 35 in December and he is the oldest men’s player on tour. He thinks it is a true reflection of him - the Peter Pan of badminton who just wants to keep on playing.

Peter Christensen Gade, who has graced the badminton scene for more than two decades, unveiled his plan for the future.  He wants to be a coach when he ends his playing career after next year’s Olympic Games in London.  The Dane has kept a few options open as far as his coaching career is concerned.

“I cannot run away from the sport. I have given it a lot of thought and decided that badminton will always be a big part of my life,” said Gade .

He has not decided whether he will start his own training center or contribute to the national association.

“Right now, all I know is that I love coaching.

“I have been working with youngsters and I can give them so much – especially in preparing them mentally.

“I have traveled so much as a player and the coaching option will also give me more time with my two children after the Olympics.”

As a coach, Christensen wants to be an agent of change – especially in helping the Denmark Badminton Association gain a sound financial footing.

”Denmark have a very good development program but we don’t have enough money coming in. China sometimes send 5-6 coaches for a tournament while Denmark is lucky to even send one. Maybe I can make a difference,” he laughingly said it.

“With the right backing, we can do much more to increase the pool of players in the international stage – especially in the men’s singles.”

On his remaining months as a player, Gade said: “A player’s learning curve never ends.

“I have to be stronger and faster to keep up with players like Lin Dan, Chen Long and Lee Chong Wei.

“I may be getting old but my dream remains the same – to win a medal in my last Olympics.”

It is rather a diplomatic comment than ambition. Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng says Indonesia’s best chance to win gold in the 2012 London Olympics be in badminton.  For the 2012 London Olympics, Indonesia will send representatives for weightlifting, archery, badminton and swimming.  The perception from general public of Indonesia's chance to earn even one gold is slim and probably none. Even Indonesian badminton Olympic gold medalist Susi Susanti doubted Indonesia’s chances of claiming gold in London. She mentions if the preparation of the athletes are not sufficient.  Athletes should not only train physically but mentally which takes longer and persistent.  “The pressure of the Olympics is very different. If we are serious about being champions then the preparations must be maximal,” she said.

British ambassador to Indonesia Mark Canning said if there is chance for Indonesia in the mixed doubles and men’s doubles categories.  Indonesia’s mixed doubles duo Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir are currently ranked fifth in the world. In the men’s doubles category, Indonesia has several choices such as Bona Septano and Muhammad Ahsan, Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan, and Alvent Yulianto Chandra and Hendra Aprida Gunawan.  However, the process will not be easy like in early 90's in which Indonesia only had to worry China.  Now the threats are coming from everywhere.  Even the mixed doubles pairs from Korea, Thailand and even Chinese Taipei are getting stronger.  The men doubles threats may also come from Japan, Korea and Denmark.

World No 1 Lee Chong Wei suffered another heartbreak at the hands of China’s Chen Long when he lost 15-21, 18-21 in the men’s singles final of the Denmark Open here yesterday.  And immediately after the loss, Chong Wei declared that the 22-year-old Chen Long has now become a genuine challenger aside from Lin Dan of China for next year’s Olympic Games in London.

Chong Wei had hoped for a revenge after losing to Chen Long in the final of the Japan Open last month but to his surprise, the Chinese turned out to be a much tougher opponent.

While the Malaysian was slower than usual, the Chinese took full control of the match from the start with his excellent court coverage, superiority at the net and solid attacking play.

Undoubtly, top seed Chong Wei had some good tricks up his sleeve but it was Chen Long, who had held all the aces to romp home a convincing winner in straight games.

It was Chong Wei’s 10th final of the year but probably his weakest performances so far.

The Malaysian was disappointed that the world number three Chen Long had prevented him from winning his seventh title twice in a month. Chong Wei had won six titles – the Super Series Masters Finals, Malaysia Open, All-England, India Open, Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold and Indonesia Open this year

“I have to admit that he has turned out to be a tough opponent for me. He is so full of confidence and it has just become tougher to beat him,” said a dejected Chong Wei, who just turned 29th on Friday.

“He had read my game well. He displays better control and makes less mistakes. His game has become more polished.

“Right now, he has become a real challenger for me for the Olympic Games. My rival is no longer Lin Dan alone,” said Chong Wei.

Despite the setback, Chong Wei is ready to make amends at the France Open which begins in Paris on Wednesday.

“My priority is the major event. I will stay focused and try to bounce back from this defeat. Even Lin Dan lost to a unheralded player here in Denmark. So, it is time to put this defeat behind and stay focused in what is more important to me – the Olympic Games next year,” he added.

China, also went back home with two other titles when they maintain their supremacy in the women’s events when Wang Xin and Wang Xiaoli-Yu Yang bagged the singles and doubles titles events respectively.

However, the badminton powerhouse were denied from making a clean sweep when Denmark’s Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen and Lee Yong-dae-Jung Jae-sung emerged as the mixed doubles and men’s doubles champions respectively.