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Malaysian Lee Chong Wei wants to compete in Tokyo Olympics
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Lee Chong Wei (AFP/GIUSEPPE CACACE )
Malaysian star shuttler Lee Chong Wei has expressed interest in competing in the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The 2020 Olympic Games will be Lee’s fifth time participating in the sporting event since his debut in the Athens Olympics in 2004.
Former number one Lee, who holds several prestigious titles, has never won an Olympic gold medal. His best performances were in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics, where he won silver medals.
“I enjoy every match in every year. I want to play [in the Tokyo Olympics] but I have to see if my body is ready,” Lee said in a post-match press conference at the 2018 Indonesia Open quarterfinals in Jakarta on Friday.
"The oldest players [playing in the open] at the moment are Lin Dan and I," he said, referring to his rival from China.
Lee has fallen short of winning Olympic gold on several occasions because of strong play from his Chinese counterparts.
In 2004, he was stunned by Chen Hong in the second round. In 2008 and 2012, he lost to Lin and in 2016 to Chen Long.
Lee's coach, Hendrawan of Indonesia, said the shuttler was still motivated to win it all despite the losses.
"The two biggest enemies for senior shuttlers are losing motivation and getting injured. If they no longer set any targets, they won’t be able to go further,” Hendrawan said.
For short-term goals, Lee was looking for glory at the Commonwealth Games in April and Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang in August, the coach added.
Lee’s journey in the Indonesia Open was stopped short by Kento Momota of Japan in the semifinals.
