China's world No. 1 shuttler Lin Dan, nicknamed Super Dan, is most likely to win the men's singles title on his home soil, said New Zealand shuttler John Mody?in Beijing?on Monday.
Lin Dan, who suffered an humiliated first-round exit at the Athens Olympics, has vowed to take revenge in Beijing.
On the sidelines of his training, Mody said he had longed to compete in the Olympiad and would try his best.
Mody will fight China's Chen Jin, who ranks the fourth in the world. He lost to Chen last year. "Chen is fast, persistent and tough. But I will do my best," John said.
New Zealand has three players for the badminton tournament--Mody for men's singles and Craig Cooper/Renee Flavell for mixed doubles.
Coach Tjitte Weistra said the duo would also face a tough war with Lee Yong Dae/Lee Hyo Jung from South Korea.
"The situation of mixed doubles is similar to the men's singles. We are definitely not the most favorite team. But it is the Olympic Games and we will push as hard as we can," said Weistra.
(Xinhua News Agency August 4, 2008)