Guangzhou:
Defending badminton singles champion Taufik Hidayat kicked off the mind games at the Asian Games on Thursday, saying the pressure was on world number one Lee Chong Wei and home favourite Lin Dan.
Indonesian Hidayat, who was involved in a running feud with Lin at the last Asian Games, in Doha in 2006, is one of the most controversial characters on the circuit and a temperamental talent.
"Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei, of course, but I feel no pressure," said Hidayat, when asked who his toughest opponents would be at the Games, which open on Friday.
"I think they are the ones who will feel the pressure," added Hidayat, the world number four, after training at Tianhe Gymnasium.
"I think Lin Dan will be looking to add the Asian Games gold to his Olympic and world titles.
"As for Lee Chong Wei, because he has no Olympic or world title, I think this Asian Games gold will be very special to him."
Malaysian Lee has had his preparations badly hit by niggling injuries that at one stage seemed like it might rule him out of the Games.
The 28-year-old made it to Guangzhou in the end, but admits he is not at full fitness after trouble with his back and then an ankle.
"I'm not fully recovered yet, so I can do the normal training but nothing too strenuous," said Lee after a training session.
"I'm prepared for every match and every strong opponent."
Lin, touted by many as the best player ever, has never won gold in the Asian Games singles, but will be fully expected to wipe that blemish from his record when the action gets under way next week.
He attempted to dampen expectations, saying his focus is on the team event, where it will be a major surprise if the hosts do not storm to glory in both the men's and women's.
"Team competition is my priority," said Lin, 27, an Olympic gold medallist, three-time world championship winner and one of the biggest names at the Games.
"Of course every player wants to go from good to better but one should not be obsessed with it," he told the state Xinhua news agency of his quest for a singles gold.
"Most of the world's top players are in the Asian Games, so in a match here one little mistake could cost you victory."
Games organisers will be hoping there is no repeat of the ill-feeling that rumbled on throughout the event four years ago, when Indonesia and China -- and particularly Lin and Hidayat -- squabbled off court.
Tensions were sparked when then-Olympic champion Hidayat branded Lin arrogant and said he was disliked by other players.
Hidayat rubbed Lin's nose in it by beating the super star Chinese 21-15, 22-20 in a tense singles final.
China's Chen Jin, who has lived in Lin's shadow for years before becoming world champion in Paris in August, played down his chances of success in Guangzhou.
"All my opponents are difficult," said Chen. "I feel that I am not a strong opponent."
Indonesian Hidayat, who was involved in a running feud with Lin at the last Asian Games, in Doha in 2006, is one of the most controversial characters on the circuit and a temperamental talent.
"Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei, of course, but I feel no pressure," said Hidayat, when asked who his toughest opponents would be at the Games, which open on Friday.
"I think they are the ones who will feel the pressure," added Hidayat, the world number four, after training at Tianhe Gymnasium.
"I think Lin Dan will be looking to add the Asian Games gold to his Olympic and world titles.
"As for Lee Chong Wei, because he has no Olympic or world title, I think this Asian Games gold will be very special to him."
Malaysian Lee has had his preparations badly hit by niggling injuries that at one stage seemed like it might rule him out of the Games.
The 28-year-old made it to Guangzhou in the end, but admits he is not at full fitness after trouble with his back and then an ankle.
"I'm not fully recovered yet, so I can do the normal training but nothing too strenuous," said Lee after a training session.
"I'm prepared for every match and every strong opponent."
Lin, touted by many as the best player ever, has never won gold in the Asian Games singles, but will be fully expected to wipe that blemish from his record when the action gets under way next week.
He attempted to dampen expectations, saying his focus is on the team event, where it will be a major surprise if the hosts do not storm to glory in both the men's and women's.
"Team competition is my priority," said Lin, 27, an Olympic gold medallist, three-time world championship winner and one of the biggest names at the Games.
"Of course every player wants to go from good to better but one should not be obsessed with it," he told the state Xinhua news agency of his quest for a singles gold.
"Most of the world's top players are in the Asian Games, so in a match here one little mistake could cost you victory."
Games organisers will be hoping there is no repeat of the ill-feeling that rumbled on throughout the event four years ago, when Indonesia and China -- and particularly Lin and Hidayat -- squabbled off court.
Tensions were sparked when then-Olympic champion Hidayat branded Lin arrogant and said he was disliked by other players.
Hidayat rubbed Lin's nose in it by beating the super star Chinese 21-15, 22-20 in a tense singles final.
China's Chen Jin, who has lived in Lin's shadow for years before becoming world champion in Paris in August, played down his chances of success in Guangzhou.
"All my opponents are difficult," said Chen. "I feel that I am not a strong opponent."
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