In Singapore, local favourite Ronald Susilo expressed interest in coming out of retirement to join the team. However, the former world number six failed to make the selection trials due to injury. Nevertheless, the hosts will still harbour hopes of a medal, thanks to the presence of Derek Wong, Singapore’s first Commonwealth Games medallist in Men’s Singles.
Wong, who is the current golden boy of Singapore badminton, admits that he is “definitely aiming for a medal”, but expects tough competition from Malaysia’s Chong Wei Feng, Thailand’s Tanongsak and Boonsak Ponsana, as well as Vietnam’s Nguyen Tien Minh. Similarly, he has tipped a handful of names from the Singapore badminton team, whom he expects to challenge for a medal in their respective categories.
“The top few in our country will definitely have a chance. Vanessa [Neo] and Danny [Bawa Chrisnanta] for mixed doubles, Danny and [Triyachart] Chayut for men’s doubles. Women’s singles would be [Liang] Xiao Yu. Women’s doubles would be Vanessa and Shinta [Mulia Sari], while men’s singles would be me and Loh Kean Yew,” Wong shared.