HONG KONG (AFP) - Badminton superstars Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei are on course for their latest major title showdown after being placed in opposite sides of the world championships draw on Monday.

Lee, the world number one from Malaysia, had feared a meeting with his Chinese nemesis in the early rounds after the reigning world and Olympic champion entered the tournament on a wildcard.

However at a draw in Guangzhou, Lin and Lee landed in different halves of the field, meaning they cannot meet before the August 11 final in the southern Chinese city.

"Super Dan" has beaten Lee in the last two Olympic finals and in the title match at the last world championships in 2011, when the Chinese ace lifted the trophy for a fourth time.

Lin was given the tournament's only wildcard by virtue of his "stature and fan appeal" after his ranking plummeted following a lengthy break from the sport since last year's Olympics.

China's Olympic champion Li Xuerui and reigning world title-holder Wang Yihang, first and second in the rankings, are also set for a showdown after being named in opposite sides of the women's draw.