Very true. Win or lose, Gold or Silver, it does not matter. I think the most important thing is for LCW to perform his best then the rewards of it - the elusive gold will come thereafter.
Misbun: Win or lose, nation should be proud of Chong Wei's achievement
UKAY PERDANA: Datuk Misbun Sidek looks as though he has lost some weight during this Ramadan month but his passion for badminton and admiration for his former singles player Lee Chong Wei have not diminished at all.
Yesterday, he spoke highly - and with a sense of pride - of Chong Wei's accomplishment in reaching his second consecutive men's singles final in the Olympic Games by setting up a repeat showdown against four-time world champion Lin Dan of China today.
In Beijing, under the tutelage of Misbun, Chong Wei became the first Malaysian to reach the final but went down to Lin Dan in a lopsided match.
Chong Wei has trained under many coaches but was with Misbun the longest as both enjoyed "a father and son" relationship.
"Chong Wei had so many things going against him heading into the London Games. He endured physical pain because of his injuries and heartache due to his family problems. He has had to deal with tremendous mental strain after dropping from the world number one ranking just before the Games and all the high expectations," said Misbun.
"But he has taken it all in his stride to reach the final of an Olympic Games once more. It is simply outstanding. It speaks volumes of a man with a strong determination. He has made everyone proud, including his former coaches. And the nation should be proud of him ... whatever the outcome tomorrow (today)."
"If he continues to show this kind of drive and maintains his focus in training, I won't be surprised if he remains a genuine title contender at the next Olympic Games (in Rio in 2016)."
This is the first time Misbun has spoken openly about Chong Wei since walking out on his blue-eyed boy and the national team 18 months ago. He left the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) on a sour note, citing unhappiness over several decisions made by the national body. He has kept himself busy by coaching juniors under the joint programme between Nusa Mahsuri and the Youth and Sports Ministry - and spending a lot of time fishing.
However, he has never stopped monitoring Chong Wei's progress and he rates the Malaysian's chances of winning the country's first Olympic gold medal as "50-50".
"In Beijing four years ago, Chong Wei did not expect a strong fight from Lin Dan, having just beaten him at the Thomas Cup Finals two months earlier. Lin Dan's sudden transformation derailed Chong Wei's plans and paralysed his movements ... he just could not find his game," said Misbun.
"This time it will be different. Chong Wei's motivation is stronger and he is baying for Lin Dan's blood. He is self-motivated ... I saw his strong desire in the way he outplayed China's Chen Long in the semi-finals.
"Chong Wei has come a long way. He has set new standards and winning the silver at the last Olympic Games was a breakthrough. Now, he has a chance fulfil his dream - and help himself to the pot of gold waiting for him.
"His success will be a great satisfaction for me, knowing that I have been his friend before. We have met a couple of times since I left and, hopefully, he remembers all the advice I have given him and give Lin Dan a run for his money."
Asked if he regretted not being with Chong Wei in London, Misbun said: "No, I have no regrets. I have neither influenced nor interfered with his training since I left. He has done well to raise his game even higher. He is more calm and composed now and I hope he will be able to fulfil the vision that we had together - to win the country's first gold medal."
Source: The Star
Misbun: Win or lose, nation should be proud of Chong Wei's achievement
UKAY PERDANA: Datuk Misbun Sidek looks as though he has lost some weight during this Ramadan month but his passion for badminton and admiration for his former singles player Lee Chong Wei have not diminished at all.
Yesterday, he spoke highly - and with a sense of pride - of Chong Wei's accomplishment in reaching his second consecutive men's singles final in the Olympic Games by setting up a repeat showdown against four-time world champion Lin Dan of China today.
In Beijing, under the tutelage of Misbun, Chong Wei became the first Malaysian to reach the final but went down to Lin Dan in a lopsided match.
Chong Wei has trained under many coaches but was with Misbun the longest as both enjoyed "a father and son" relationship.
"Chong Wei had so many things going against him heading into the London Games. He endured physical pain because of his injuries and heartache due to his family problems. He has had to deal with tremendous mental strain after dropping from the world number one ranking just before the Games and all the high expectations," said Misbun.
"But he has taken it all in his stride to reach the final of an Olympic Games once more. It is simply outstanding. It speaks volumes of a man with a strong determination. He has made everyone proud, including his former coaches. And the nation should be proud of him ... whatever the outcome tomorrow (today)."
"If he continues to show this kind of drive and maintains his focus in training, I won't be surprised if he remains a genuine title contender at the next Olympic Games (in Rio in 2016)."
This is the first time Misbun has spoken openly about Chong Wei since walking out on his blue-eyed boy and the national team 18 months ago. He left the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) on a sour note, citing unhappiness over several decisions made by the national body. He has kept himself busy by coaching juniors under the joint programme between Nusa Mahsuri and the Youth and Sports Ministry - and spending a lot of time fishing.
However, he has never stopped monitoring Chong Wei's progress and he rates the Malaysian's chances of winning the country's first Olympic gold medal as "50-50".
"In Beijing four years ago, Chong Wei did not expect a strong fight from Lin Dan, having just beaten him at the Thomas Cup Finals two months earlier. Lin Dan's sudden transformation derailed Chong Wei's plans and paralysed his movements ... he just could not find his game," said Misbun.
"This time it will be different. Chong Wei's motivation is stronger and he is baying for Lin Dan's blood. He is self-motivated ... I saw his strong desire in the way he outplayed China's Chen Long in the semi-finals.
"Chong Wei has come a long way. He has set new standards and winning the silver at the last Olympic Games was a breakthrough. Now, he has a chance fulfil his dream - and help himself to the pot of gold waiting for him.
"His success will be a great satisfaction for me, knowing that I have been his friend before. We have met a couple of times since I left and, hopefully, he remembers all the advice I have given him and give Lin Dan a run for his money."
Asked if he regretted not being with Chong Wei in London, Misbun said: "No, I have no regrets. I have neither influenced nor interfered with his training since I left. He has done well to raise his game even higher. He is more calm and composed now and I hope he will be able to fulfil the vision that we had together - to win the country's first gold medal."
Source: The Star
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