Badminton: Lee Cheuk-yiu hoping for repeat of Hong Kong Open glory as tournament finally returns
- Men’s singles star looking to defend title he won in 2019 and boost his chances of qualifying for Paris Olympics
- The Super 500 tournament will be back at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom in September after a four-year hiatus
Defending champion Lee Cheuk-yiu is hopeful of repeating his success in September’s badminton Hong Kong Open so he can boost his Olympic ranking – and qualify for next year’s Paris Games.
The Badminton World Federation’s Super 500 tournament is making a return to the city after four years away because of the anti-government protests in 2019 and the coronavirus pandemic.
The 26-year-old became the second men’s singles player to capture the home title when he beat Anthony Ginting of Indonesia in the final, after compatriot Ng Ka-long won the 2016 edition.
“It has been almost four years after the victory at Hong Kong Coliseum but the memories were still vivid,” Lee said. “Of course I am so happy we can finally return to our home venue to play again in front of a crowd.
“This year, the Hong Kong tournament is also part of the Olympic qualifiers and I would love to win it again to boost my ranking to make it to the 2024 Paris Games.”
Lee is ranked 16th in the world, just one place ahead of Ng, who was the sole men’s singles for Hong Kong at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
He has endured a hectic recent schedule, with nine tournaments over the last 11 weeks, reaching one final at the Thailand Open and several quarterfinals, as he looks to lock up a place in Paris.
“If I can keep my momentum going, I should have a great chance,” he added. “But of course, there are still eight months to go before the qualification cycle ends. More hard work is required.”
Lee also expressed his gratitude to new singles coach Wong Choong Hann, with the Malaysian replacing Wong Tat Meng in June after his compatriot’s sudden departure from the same role.
“He came here last month and immediately took us to three tournaments, which I found quite satisfying,” Lee said. “Of course we will need more time to build up a good working relationship, but it looks like we are heading in the right direction.”
Mixed doubles pair Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet, who finished fourth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, are also delighted at the prospect of playing in front of a home crowd again.
“I always look forward to it because my relatives and friends can come to watch,” 31-year-old Tse said. “Over the last three years I always wondered if I would still have a chance to play at the Coliseum again, because I am getting older.
“There may be more pressure for home players but it also gives you more motivation to do better at the Hong Kong Open.”
The tournament, which offers a total prize money purse of US$420,000, will take place at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom over September 12-17, and has attracted a strong field of 276 players, headed by the world No 1 and reigning Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the men’s singles and world No 2 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in the women’s singles.
Hong Kong will be represented by Lee and Ng in the men’s singles, two mixed doubles pairs – Tang and Tse, and Lee Chun-hei and Ng Tsz-yau – and four women’s doubles pairs.
The Hong Kong team will use the tournament as part of its preparation for the Asian Games in Hangzhou, which will begin in late September.
