Korea’s badminton hopeful Lee Yong-dae said Monday he was not satisfied with his current form, but is working hard to give his best at the London Olympics.

Speaking for the first time after failing to defend the Korea Open title, Lee said his eyes are now firmly set on a gold medal in London.

“I had a short break, now I’m fresh and back in training,” Lee told The Korea Herald.

Lee noted that he is up to 60 percent of his physical level, but will be 100 percent ready before the London Olympics.

“My goal is to win a medal at the Olympics, I’m looking forward to giving my best this summer,” he said.

The 23-year-old Lee first joined the national team at age 15. His best moment came in 2008 when he won the Beijing Olympics gold in mixed doubles with Lee Hyo-jung.

After parting with his partner Lee, who retired from the sport in 2010, he has been focusing on competing in men’s doubles.

Lee will compete in the London 2012 Games with his long-term partner Jung Jae-sung in men’s double.

Lee and Jung, the current world No. 2 pair, finished the 2011 season on a positive note by grabbing the men’s doubles title in Denmark and also the French Open title.

However, earlier this month, the duo failed to defend their Korea Open title after a close defeat to World No. 1 pair Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng of China at the finals in Seoul.

“I think technically we are no different from them, but we failed to keep our scores and had a lack of game management,” Lee admitted.

“I’m now focusing on improving my physical strength, and aiming to beat the Chinese team,” Lee said after signing a sponsorship deal with Procter & Gamble Korea on Monday.

P&G Korea announced that it will provide flight and event tickets to selected mothers of Korean athletes through its “Thank You Mom” campaign.

Hopes are high for Korea, which finished seventh with 13 gold medals four years ago in Beijing. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Korean Olympic Committee President Park Yong-sung said Korea is aiming for more than 10 gold medals and to finish among the top ten again.

With less than six months to go until the 2012 Summer Olympics, which kicks off on July 27, Lee said he is making his final pitch, looking for his second gold medal on the biggest sports stage.

“I am now the world No.2. I think I have a real chance to win the gold this summer,” he added. 

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)