China strive for fifth straight Sudirman Cup
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E-mail China.org.cn, May 11, 2013
The Chinese badminton team will try to win their fifth consecutive Sudirman Cup since 2005, said head coach Li Yongbo at Lingshui training base in eastern part of Hainan Province on Friday.
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Li Yongbo (R) and Lin Dan. [File photo] |
![Li Yongbo (R) and Lin Dan [File photo]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20130511/001fd04cf03a12f819aa4c.jpg "Li Yongbo (R) and Lin Dan [File photo]")
London Olympic stars Zhang Nan, Zhao Yunlei, Xu Chen, Ma Jin for mixed pairs, as well as Li Xuerui and Wang Yihan for women's singles, participated in the training, which is a preparation for the upcoming Sudirman Cup to be held in Malaysia from May 19 to 26.
"Players are in top shape since we have been training here for 10 days and no injury has been reported," said Li.
"Air is good and fresh here," said the head coach. "This is our first time to train here and we are planning to come every winter."
Earlier on Thursday, Li revealed in his microblog that Lin Dan has been given a wild card for this year's world championships to be held in Guangzhou in August by the Badminton World Federation.
Lin's world ranking has dropped to 41st after his eight-month break since winning gold at last year's Olympics, meaning he was not eligible for an automatic spot.
"Exercising its prerogative to nominate a wildcard entry in each category, the COM (committee of management) determined the 29-year-old's stature and fan appeal would significantly enhance the championships," the Badminton World Federation said in a statement.
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