HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese badminton player Nguyễn Tiến Minh said he may surprise those attending the Rio Olympics, in his response to recent rumours that minimized his chances against Chinese Lin Dan in their coming meet.

“Lin Dan and I are at the same age of 33. Both will participate in our last Olympics, so our match will be interesting. And who knows, I might be a luckier athlete,” Minh said.

Three-time Olympian Minh will leave for Rio de Janeiro today, along with his teammate and girlfriend Vũ Thị Trang.

He is scheduled to compete in the same group with defending champion Lin, Vladimir Malkov of Russia and Austrian David Obernorsterer.

“No one wants to face Lin, including those who are among the world’s top 10. Facing him early in the group stage is not what I hoped for, but I may be the one in Group E who has the best chance to eliminate him,” said the world number 33 ranked player.

Minh has just recovered from an illness and said he expects he will play his best at the Games.

Badminton is organised at the Riocentro - Pavilion 4 beginning August 11. — VNS