Life As An Ordinary Malaysian: Can Chong Wei Do It?

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Can Chong Wei Do It?

Lee Chong Wei has promised to make amends in next year's London Olympics for his (to me, unnecessary and self-inflicted) loss to Lin Dan of China, in the recently concluded world badminton championships singles. I really hope he does so not only for the country's sake, but more importantly for himself.

Starsport (16th Aug 2011)

I have a lot of respect for Chong Wei for being the no 1 ranked world badminton player. However, as long as there is someone out there who consistently beats him, I cannot be fully convinced that Chong Wei is the best in the world.

And I think he knows it too. We cannot be satisfied of being nearly there. We either are or we aren't. Being the world no 1 ranked player because your nemesis takes part in a fewer tournaments than you is not the ideal situation be be proud of being no1.

You must be able to consistently beat all before you. Chong Wei, in my view, has not be able to positively establish that he is actually the king of the badminton world as long as Lin Dan proves otherwise.

And while Chong Wei prepares to make amends, it will surely be a good idea for his coaches to emphasize a little more on the mental aspect of being a true champion. In fact, Malaysian sports have never been strong on the mental aspect of sports.

A true champion must learn to be consistently ruthless. After winning the first set, instead of coming out with guns blazing in the second set, Chong Wei played a laid back game, making multiple errors and allowing Lin Dan to catch up and beat him and level the score at 2-2. And in the concluding rubber set, Chong Wei let slip a 2 match points advantage to lose the game.

All this showed a lack of mental strength. Like what former badminton great Morten Frost Hansen said, if I may paraphrase him, it is not nice to be too nice.

So, can Chong Wei do it? I am not too optimistic. But I and all Malaysians want to be proven wrong.

2 comments:

Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan bloggerWednesday, August 17, 2011
Chong Wei can do it - he has beaten Lin Dan in the past. But it all depends on Lin Dan I feel. If Lin Dan shows up in his best form then he'll win. It's out of Chong Wei's hands. Kind of like the Federer of old - really good opponents had no chance no matter how well they played, because Federer was just better than them. It's the same situation here. Lin Dan is the better player, so there's no shame if Chong Wei goes on to lose to Lin Dan in the Olympics final.

Duncan In Kuantan
ReplyDelete
Replies
ordinary malaysianThursday, August 18, 2011
You are quite right, Duncan. But I feel where Lin Dan is strong mentally, Chong Wei can be vulnerable. Otherwise, skill wise, they are about on par. And in a situation like this, the one who is mentally strong often triumphs.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Kluang RailCoffee

The Kluang railway station coffee shop, now re-branded Kluang RailCoffee, is well known for its cuppa of coffee and the charcaol grilled piping hot buns oozing with butter and kaya...It used to attract standing-room only crowds. It still does, but the last time I was there it wasn't a good experience for me. The famous coffee had somewhat lost its oomph and even the buns...The shop has a long and noted history being first opened for business in 1938 and the place is now run by the 3rd generation LIm family. I hope the next time I return, the coffee would regain its oomph. Click to read more...