Ji Xinpeng overcomes post-Olympics nightmare
( 2001-05-30 10:49 ) (8 )

Olympic men's singles badminton champion Ji Xinpeng has recovered from post-Olympics nightmare and vowed to win more honor in international arena.

Ji, 22, who rose from obscurity to win the gold medal in Sydney, has not tasted a title in any international competitions since and the slump form could have ruined his career.

"My coach warned that if I could not beat all the teammates in the training camp before the Sudirman Cup, I could not come here," said Ji, who has slipped to 11th in the world rankings.

"I have no choice," he said. "During the one-month intensive training in Qingdao, I told myself everyday that I must work harder or I could be kept out of the team for the Sudirman Cup and the world championships. "

The former world number one finally regained his number one status in the Chinese national team, and more importantly, restored his confidence.

"I believe that I am stronger than in Sydney, technically and physically," he said.