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 The recent line-up given by Li Yongbo of the China squad for the Uber Cup, could be a hint that Zhang Ning is not necessarily in a good position in terms of being chosen for the Beijing Games. The Chinese veteran will not be sent to Jakarta. A sign for early dismissal or a good way for the Chinese head coach to decide whom - between Zhu Lin and Lu Lan - to send to the Games?
By Raphael Sachetat, Badzine Chief Editor. Photo: Badmintonphoto
Can the Olympic champion be left out of the Olympic Program? The question can be raised after China’s National Team Head Coach Li Yongbo announced the list of players who will be defending China's Uber Cup Trophy, a few weeks from now in Jakarta. On the list, Xie Xingfang, Zhu Lin, and Lu Lan are shown, as expected, but the fourth shuttler to be sent to Indonesia is no other than Jiang Yanjiao, while all thought that Zhang Ning, the most experienced player of all, would be the one filling the gap. With this least expected turn of events, another question is to be asked. What is behind the decision of Li Yongbo to rest Zhang Ning from the squad?
One reason could be to give both Zhu Lin and Lu Lan an equal chance to prove their state of form as the two players vy to be the third shuttler who is to participate in the Olympics. But yet, it seems that China does not have much to worry against most of the teams involved in the competition, so it would be difficult for Li to appreciate the effort of either one. Another reason could be that the Liaoning shuttler, who was crowned with gold in Athens, may not even be sent to Beijing. After all, Xie Xingfang, Lu Lan and Zhu Lin have obviously been the best performers these past few months. This would explain why Li admitted recently the “match fixing” between Zhou and Zhang in the semi-final of the Athens Olympics – something he might not have done a few months before sending one of the women involved in this very match to the Olympics. Zhang seems to have performed below par lately, but on the other hand, she and Li Yongbo are very close, being from the same region, and her non qualification for the Games would be a big shock to many specialists.
All this, however, is only speculation as a last reason could simply be a question of a longer period of rest for Zhang Ning, who is over 31 and who might be looking for a better way to practice for what should be her farewell party.
Nevertheless, the Chinese squad, even “Zhang free” looks quite unbeatable for the Uber Cup.
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