MUCH has been said on badminton ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei as Malaysia battle for
medals at the London Olympics which begins on Friday.
This is understandable as Chong Wei is the
brightest prospect in getting Malaysia's very first gold medal. After all, he is
always up there together with China superstar Lin Dan.
Then badminton, first introduced at the Games in Barcelona in 1992, is the only sport thus far which has produced medals for Malaysia - four to be precise.
The first was a bronze in 1992 via the doubles pair of brothers Razif-Jalani Sidek.
The Malaysians improved on this four years later in Atlanta when the doubles pair of Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock won the silver. Not only that, Rashid Sidek also brought home a bronze then.
Of course, Chong Wei won the silver in 2008 in Beijing after being beaten by Lin Dan.
So as usual, expectations are high for badminton to return home with medals. In fact, the 29-year-old Chong Wei is gunning for gold, which is understandable as this is going to be his last Olympics.
I am praying I am wrong here but it will be pretty difficult for Chong Wei to fulfill his ultimate dream.
This is because he is not that fit and has not been preparing well for his assault in London – no thanks to the ankle injury he suffered during the Thomas Cup last May in Beijing.
This could have been avoided if only Chong Wei did not play in the tournament where Malaysia did not have much of a chance to win. It would have been better for him to take a break considering the vital mission he is having in London.
There will be more Thomas Cup action in the near future but the London Olympics is going to be the last chance for Chong Wei to strike gold.
And after him, there seems to be no one taking over his place for at least another five to six years.
Sorry... Malaysia were wrong strategically or tactically here.
Now team officials may say Chong Wei is recovering well from his injury and should be all ready for action in London. But looking at the developments he is set to still have problems fitness wise.
The body language does not look too good either.
Considering the shape he is in at the moment, it is already an achievement for Chong Wei f he can at least make the semi-finals and take it from there.
Chong Wei is expected to meet China's Chen Long for a place in the final - based on the draw and if everyone plays true to true form.
Things do not look rosy here as Chen Long looks menacing here.
There is also a hidden danger earlier in the form of Japanese Kenichi Tago, who obviously has been preparing well too. Remember this is the Olympics.
Chong Wei may struggle if he is not that fit and can find himself out of the last eight.
So a bronze is still good enough for Chong Wei.
The doubles pair of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong have not been given much chance by many to win a medal, let alone the glittering gold. This is understandable as they have not performing well in recent times.
But still, it won't be a surprise if they manage to deliver a medal, whatever color it may be. This pair are talented and experienced. They are there with the best as they have proven many times before.
Their main problem is mental strength and inability to cope with pressure in decisive moments. If they can improve on this aspect, then everything is possible. Let's support them, as well.
Diving is one sport which can see Malaysia winning a medal - especially via our very own star Pandelela Rinong in her pet event the 10m platform individual. There is also this chance as well in the 10m synchro where she will be partnering Leong Mun Yee.
Pandelela and Mun Yee are world class and they have been training hard for two months in China under coach Yang Zhunliang, who is happy their progress..
Let's cheer for them and also hope that the judges will be impartial in this subjective event.
Another sport which can finally produce a medal is track cycling with Azizulhasni Awang, also known as 'Pocket Rocket Man', to the fore. He is also world class and capable of delivering despite facing some grueling challenges.
The gutsy 24-year-old became the first Asian to win a world championship medal when he won the silver in the sprint in 2009. The following year, he won the world silver behind legend Chris Hoy in the keirin.
Just watch Azizulhasni in action.
All said, the feel-good factor this time at an Olympics is that Malaysia do have the chance to win medals and not just rely on badminton.
Then badminton, first introduced at the Games in Barcelona in 1992, is the only sport thus far which has produced medals for Malaysia - four to be precise.
The first was a bronze in 1992 via the doubles pair of brothers Razif-Jalani Sidek.
The Malaysians improved on this four years later in Atlanta when the doubles pair of Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock won the silver. Not only that, Rashid Sidek also brought home a bronze then.
Of course, Chong Wei won the silver in 2008 in Beijing after being beaten by Lin Dan.
So as usual, expectations are high for badminton to return home with medals. In fact, the 29-year-old Chong Wei is gunning for gold, which is understandable as this is going to be his last Olympics.
I am praying I am wrong here but it will be pretty difficult for Chong Wei to fulfill his ultimate dream.
This is because he is not that fit and has not been preparing well for his assault in London – no thanks to the ankle injury he suffered during the Thomas Cup last May in Beijing.
This could have been avoided if only Chong Wei did not play in the tournament where Malaysia did not have much of a chance to win. It would have been better for him to take a break considering the vital mission he is having in London.
There will be more Thomas Cup action in the near future but the London Olympics is going to be the last chance for Chong Wei to strike gold.
And after him, there seems to be no one taking over his place for at least another five to six years.
Sorry... Malaysia were wrong strategically or tactically here.
Now team officials may say Chong Wei is recovering well from his injury and should be all ready for action in London. But looking at the developments he is set to still have problems fitness wise.
The body language does not look too good either.
Considering the shape he is in at the moment, it is already an achievement for Chong Wei f he can at least make the semi-finals and take it from there.
Chong Wei is expected to meet China's Chen Long for a place in the final - based on the draw and if everyone plays true to true form.
Things do not look rosy here as Chen Long looks menacing here.
There is also a hidden danger earlier in the form of Japanese Kenichi Tago, who obviously has been preparing well too. Remember this is the Olympics.
Chong Wei may struggle if he is not that fit and can find himself out of the last eight.
So a bronze is still good enough for Chong Wei.
The doubles pair of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong have not been given much chance by many to win a medal, let alone the glittering gold. This is understandable as they have not performing well in recent times.
But still, it won't be a surprise if they manage to deliver a medal, whatever color it may be. This pair are talented and experienced. They are there with the best as they have proven many times before.
Their main problem is mental strength and inability to cope with pressure in decisive moments. If they can improve on this aspect, then everything is possible. Let's support them, as well.
Diving is one sport which can see Malaysia winning a medal - especially via our very own star Pandelela Rinong in her pet event the 10m platform individual. There is also this chance as well in the 10m synchro where she will be partnering Leong Mun Yee.
Pandelela and Mun Yee are world class and they have been training hard for two months in China under coach Yang Zhunliang, who is happy their progress..
Let's cheer for them and also hope that the judges will be impartial in this subjective event.
Another sport which can finally produce a medal is track cycling with Azizulhasni Awang, also known as 'Pocket Rocket Man', to the fore. He is also world class and capable of delivering despite facing some grueling challenges.
The gutsy 24-year-old became the first Asian to win a world championship medal when he won the silver in the sprint in 2009. The following year, he won the world silver behind legend Chris Hoy in the keirin.
Just watch Azizulhasni in action.
All said, the feel-good factor this time at an Olympics is that Malaysia do have the chance to win medals and not just rely on badminton.
Source:http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/73831-forget-about-chong-wei-here-are-malaysias-best-olympic-medal-prospects.html
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