Lull Before the Storm – Total BWF World Championships 2015

pc_Marin3With just a few hours to go for the Total BWF World Championships 2015, a mood of cautious optimism, rather than brash confidence, pervaded the air as the defending champions spoke of their hopes in retaining their title.

Neither Chen Long nor Carolina Marin – the defending singles champions and the most dominant players of the season so far – were willing to risk an assessment in their favour. Both played down their chances.

Marin (left) had some reason to sound cautious, for she is coming off an injury scare.

“I injured my right foot a month ago. I was sad, I thought I couldn’t play the World Championships. I talked it over with my coach and I started to train two weeks ago. I’m very happy to be here. I don’t want to think of my condition. I prefer not to think in terms of my percentage of fitness.

“I’m very excited. I like this country, and the Indonesia Open is my favourite tournament. I know I have many fans here. I know I had a bad result at the Indonesia Open in June (she lost in the first round), but I was tired after winning the Australian Open. I don’t want to think about my title defence.”

Chen Long, on the other hand, said he was “well prepared”, adding that “playing in Indonesia is special. The hall is crowded and noisy, and there is a lot of pressure, but it is the same for all players.”

pc_Indonesia2

Korea’s Ko Sung Hyun and Shin Baek Choel (below), surprise Men’s Doubles winners last year, head into the World Championships having played just three tournaments this season. Shin was required to do mandatory military duty earlier this year, but the Korean said it had not affected his game.

“I was off the courts for a month due to my military training, but my friends helped me get back into rhythm quickly. We are well prepared; we have had good results this year,” Shin said.

A short while earlier, Indonesia’s top contenders (above) too addressed the media. Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan (Men’s Doubles); Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir (Mixed Doubles); Greysia Polii and Nitya Krishinda Maheswari (Women’s Doubles) and Tommy Sugiarto (Men’s Singles) hoped they would bring glory to Indonesia on home soil.

pc_Shin & KoThe one defining element of the World Championships this time is expected to be the crowd. All players will hope to feed off the crowd’s energy, but Indonesia’s players will be aware that the crowd’s expectations could begin to weigh heavily on their minds.

Polii, who goes into the event with some impressive results with partner Maheswari, spoke of how she had to play down the expectations of home fans in her mind.

“It’s the biggest event. I want to enjoy the tournament. I want to manage my expectations and those of my partner. We just have to focus on each game,” Polii said.

“What made the difference was the confidence we got from winning the Asian Games. That confidence is still with us; we just need to be more consistent. The last year since we won the Asian Games, we have looked at what we need to go to be at the top… I don’t mind the expectations. I’m nervous but excited at the same time.”

World Championships News

Past Stars Recall Istora Heroics

Past Stars Recall Istora Heroics

28 August 2015
Epic Duels, Gritty Champions –TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015 Review

Epic Duels, Gritty Champions –TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015 Review

26 August 2015
Yun-ique Zhao Double-Doubles! –  Finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Yun-ique Zhao Double-Doubles! –  Finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

16 August 2015
Chen, Marin Retain Singles Crowns – Finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Chen, Marin Retain Singles Crowns – Finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

16 August 2015
Lee Too Good for Jorgensen – Semi-finals:  TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Lee Too Good for Jorgensen – Semi-finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

15 August 2015
Chen, Marin in Title Round – Semi-finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Chen, Marin in Title Round – Semi-finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

15 August 2015
Nehwal Prevails in Epic – Quarter-finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Nehwal Prevails in Epic – Quarter-finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

14 August 2015
Fanetri Does a Houdini – Quarter-finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Fanetri Does a Houdini – Quarter-finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

14 August 2015
Shock for Chinese Pairs – Day 4: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Shock for Chinese Pairs – Day 4: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

13 August 2015
Li Xuerui Bites the Dust – Day 4: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Li Xuerui Bites the Dust – Day 4: TOTAL BWF World Championships...

13 August 2015
Defending Champs Shin/Ko Crash Out – Day 3: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Defending Champs Shin/Ko Crash Out – Day 3: TOTAL BWF World Championships...

12 August 2015
Underdogs Make an Impression – Day 3: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Underdogs Make an Impression – Day 3: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

12 August 2015
Survivor Ekiring Has Ambitions for Africa

Survivor Ekiring Has Ambitions for Africa

12 August 2015
Statement Regarding Misha Zilberman

Statement Regarding Misha Zilberman

11 August 2015
Buranaprasertsuk Springs a Surprise – Day 2: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Buranaprasertsuk Springs a Surprise – Day 2: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

11 August 2015
Dream Day for Paiola; Tago Out – Day 2: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Dream Day for Paiola; Tago Out – Day 2: TOTAL BWF World...

11 August 2015
Must, Giuffre Fight into Second Round – Day 1: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Must, Giuffre Fight into Second Round – Day 1: TOTAL BWF World...

10 August 2015
Emotional Win for Zetchiri – Day 1: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Emotional Win for Zetchiri – Day 1: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

10 August 2015
Men’s Singles Preview – Total BWF World Championships 2015

Men’s Singles Preview – Total BWF World Championships 2015

9 August 2015
Women’s Singles Preview – Total BWF World Championships 2015

Women’s Singles Preview – Total BWF World Championships 2015

9 August 2015
Carolina Marin Wins Fans’ Vote

Carolina Marin Wins Fans’ Vote

9 August 2015
BWF Conducts Players’ Media Education Programme

BWF Conducts Players’ Media Education Programme

8 August 2015
Men’s Doubles Preview – Total BWF World Championships 2015

Men’s Doubles Preview – Total BWF World Championships 2015

7 August 2015
Women’s Doubles Preview – Total BWF World Championships 2015

Women’s Doubles Preview – Total BWF World Championships 2015

6 August 2015
Mixed Doubles Preview –  Total BWF World Championships 2015

Mixed Doubles Preview – Total BWF World Championships 2015

5 August 2015
Youth Battles Experience in Openers – Total BWF World Championships 2015

Youth Battles Experience in Openers – Total BWF World Championships 2015

3 August 2015
Chen, Lee in Separate Halves – Total BWF World Championships 2015

Chen, Lee in Separate Halves – Total BWF World Championships 2015

28 July 2015
Chen, Marin Top Seeds – Total BWF World Championships 2015

Chen, Marin Top Seeds – Total BWF World Championships 2015

28 July 2015
How the Defending Champions Have Fared

How the Defending Champions Have Fared

15 July 2015
26 Years On … Classic in the Making

26 Years On … Classic in the Making

15 July 2015
‘Singling’ out the Best: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

‘Singling’ out the Best: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

15 July 2015
Year of the Be-‘Lee’-Ver?: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

Year of the Be-‘Lee’-Ver?: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

15 July 2015
‘Singling’ out the Best: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

‘Singling’ out the Best: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2015

17 June 2015
‘Development’ Players in Phase 1 List

‘Development’ Players in Phase 1 List

6 May 2015
Jakarta to Host BWF World Championships 2015

Jakarta to Host BWF World Championships 2015

28 November 2013
PARTNERS