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Datuk Lee Chong Wei’s shock first round exit in the recent Yonex All-England Open in Birmingham is still the talk of the town the Malaysian ace has not let that disappointment disrupt his Rio Olympics dreams.

The Penangite is ready to bounce back with a big dose of help from his Indonesian coach Handrawan who not only upped his intensive training but has also taken a psychological approach.

Hendrawan, – a world champion in 2001 and also won the Thomas Cup with the Indonesian team in 1998, 2000 and 2002 – has shut out mentioning names of Chong Wei’s rivals – during training.

“There is no distraction in our training. Our training is now more intensive with focus on our buildup for the Rio Olympics,” said Hendrawan, who believes there Chong Wei’s first round defeat in the All-England is a “blessing in disguise” in many ways.

“We have taken a positive outlook and approach. There is no mention of names like Lin Dan or Chen Long or other rivals. I don’t want any distraction in our training.”

“There is not one or two rivals but several other young names who are a threat in Rio. However, that takes a back seat for now. Our training is geared towards the Olympics with one aim…to win the gold,” added Hendrawan who won a silver medal in the Sydney Olympics (2002).

Chong Wei heads to New Delhi next for the India Superseries in New Delhi from March 29-April 3 before the biggie – the Malaysia Open Superseries Premier – which is expected to draw a bumper crowd as locals wants to watch their idol in action.

In the India Open the Malaysian ace is the top seed with Japan’s rising star Kento Momota, a former junior world champion as the second seed and Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen No 3 seed and the great Lin Dan, who won the All-England for a sixth times, seeded No 4.

Chong Wei is seeded second in the Malaysia Open and opens his campaign against Hong Kong’s Wei Nan. Top seed Chen Long of China plays Germany’s Marc Zwiebler in his opening match.

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