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SINGAPORE: At 29, Singapore's top shuttler Ronald Susilo could be playing in his last Olympic Games this year and he is hoping to give it his all in Beijing.
In 2004, Susilo created an upset at the Athens Olympics when he beat world number one, China's Lin Dan, in the first round.
He is hoping to repeat that feat against current world number two, Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei, whom he is taking on in his first match in Beijing.
"I have played with him several times and the score is almost the same – 2-2 – so I am not afraid of him because I know his style of playing," he said.
Susilo has had various injuries since 2004, and he said his shoulder has not completely healed. But he is not letting that stop him in Beijing and feels the 'underdog' tag suits him fine.
Unlike Susilo, 18-year-old Xing Ai Ying will be making her Olympic debut. Xing, who is from China, is not too worried about competing in her birthplace.
"They (the Chinese) will be proud of me because those who are of the same age won't get to play in the Olympics," she said.
As part of their preparations, the entire Olympic badminton squad was sent to Korea for two weeks in late June. The trip saw them training with some of the top Korean shuttlers, providing them variety in terms of sparring partners.
The eight-member team leaves on Tuesday for the Olympic badminton competition, which starts on August 9.
- CNA/so
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