WORLDS 2010 – Lee Kyung Won to stay home

Olympic silver medallist Lee Kyung Won, one of the stars of the triumphant Korean Uber Cup team, will not get the chance to play dark horse at next week’s Yonex BWF World Badminton Championships in Paris. Though it is not yet reflected in the draws, the Badminton Korea Association had published their list of players, without the eldest Lee, who has sustained another ankle injury.

“It’s not exactly a recurrence of her injury from the Olympics,” said Kwun Seung Taek, head coach of Lee’s Samsung team, “but it is her ankle, so it’s a similar problem.”

The withdrawal of Lee/Lee means that China’s Pan Pan / Tian Qing will begin their campaign at the Worlds in the third round. Korea thus will be relying on Ha Jung Eun / Kim Min Jung, who have barely played together this year, and Jung Kyung Eun / Yoo Hyun Young, who have seen some success this year but have yet to beat a Chinese pair.