ants
01-01-2004, 10:34 AM
HAVING been voted as the 2003 Timesport-Sports Toto Personality of The Year, shuttler Wong Choong Hann took time off to share his experiences and future targets with Timesport’s K.M. BOOPATHY.
Timesport: Congratulations on being picked as the 2003 Timesport-Sports Toto Personality of The Year. It must have been quite a journey but how did you take up the game and did it cross your mind that you could make badminton a successful career then?
Choong Hann: I began playing badminton at the age of 10 but it was just for fun at an open court near my house in Sri Petaling. The ‘fun’ beginning got a little serious and turned out to be a surprise when I represented my school SRJK (C) Kwong Hou in 1989.
When I won the National Schools (MSSM) under-12 title in Muar a year later, I started thinking about my future as a badminton player as my success was achieved in such a short period. After I won the MSSM under-15 title, I was drafted into the National Badminton Academy in Taman Maluri and that was when I really believed I could become a top class international if I started working hard.
Timesport: Who was the person who identified your talent and fine-tuned your basics during the early days?
Choong Hann: My first coach was Ong Mei Ling who was the Kwong Hou school coach. My father Wong Sew Pin was not a direct influence on my decision to take up badminton but he was supportive of it.
Timesport: Who helped you develop into a top class player?
Choong Hann: There were several coaches who deserve mention. Han Jian guided me in the initial stages but it was Chan Changjie who made the difference. He was the man who helped me improve my physical condition which helped me make inroads into the national team in the mid 1990s. His weight training programme and training methods suited me and took me to another level. Although Changjie was coaching Ong Ewe Hock and Yong Hock Kin at that time, I took the initiative to join his training. Changjie saw my interest and was ever willing to help and I started performing better in the international arena. Former national coach Morten Frost Hansen was also instrumental in my progress as it was he who gave me the opportunity to play in the 1998 Commonwealth Games although I was still not an established player. Frost also gave me the opportunity to compete in overseas tournaments regularly and his advice on technical aspects of the game was also a great help. Frost is a specialist when it comes to match analysis and his tips during tournaments guided me to victory on many occasions.
My current coach Misbun Sidek’s contribution has been enormous as I have become more consistent now and in good physical condition to match the world’s best. Misbun is also always open to discussions and this has given me the opportunity to overcome my weaknesses.
Timesport: You were equally good in badminton and studies. Did your father condone your decision to become a full-time player after scoring 5As in your SPM in 1995?
Choong Hann: My father was very supportive although there was no certainty that I would make it as an international player. His only advice was that I must be totally committed in whatever field I chose and have a never-say-die attitude. Giving up without fulfilling my dreams is something my father will never agree to and he has supported me all the way.
Timesport: Despite your talent, you did not achieve success on the international scene until you won the 1997 Dutch Open although you have been with the national training centre since 1993?
Choong Hann: Due to my success in local junior events, I was an over-rated player in the beginning. At international level, my only success was a bronze medal in the 1994 World Junior Championships in Kuala Lumpur with Loo Yew Loong in the doubles. When I won a surprise doubles title in the 1996 National Grand Prix final with Cheah Soon Kit, I was getting too much attention.
The expectations were high but I knew that I had yet to mature into a quality player.
However, I got my first break when I won the 1997 Dutch Open. Winning the 1998 Commonwealth Games gold medal also helped boost my playing career. I was only listed for the men’s singles when Roslin Hashim withdrew and it turned out to be a pleasant outing as I beat the in-form Yong Hock Kin in the final.
Timesport: After having won the Commonwealth Games gold, you started producing better results and reached several grand prix finals but you kept failing at the final hurdle. Was there too much pressure on you?
Choong Hann: My disappointments in the finals of the grand prix events were probably because I put too much pressure on myself to win. After losing several finals, the pressure started to mount. I even started thinking about whether I would ever win another title again.
All that changed when I won the Dutch and China Opens in 2002. The pressure was eased. Winning has become easier now and that’s why I managed to win the recent Taiwan Open and Copenhagen Masters. Timesport: What has been your biggest achievement and most disappointing moment in your career so far.
Choong Hann: Winning the World Championships silver medal in Birmingham last August was my best achievement but it was also the most disappointing. I have never done so well in a major event but at the same time, it was an opportunity which slipped away.
I was struggling in the match but fought back and despite controlling the match in the third game, I let Xia Xuanze (of China) run away with the title. It was a painful experience but I have overcome it. It was not the end of the world and there are more major events to look out for.
Timesport: What is your major goal for 2004?
Choong Hann: The Olympics gold. It is the pinnacle of an athlete’s achievement. I do not want to end my career as the player who was only second best.
Off course it will not be easy as China’s shuttlers will be all out to defend the title Ji Xinpeng won in Sydney 2000 but my chances are as good as anyone’s provided I can maintain my performance and believe that I have what it takes to become the Olympic champion.
The Thomas Cup is the other event I would like to do well in. It would be nice to win the Thomas Cup as well but nothing can match the feeling of being an Olympic champion. I want to experience that.
Timesport: Who are your main rivals in the Olympics?
Choong Hann: The singles event has become so open that any player from the top 15 is capable of winning the Olympics gold. However, China’s Lin Dan, Xuanze and Chen Hong will be my main rivals. Players like Taufik Hidayat (of Indonesia), Lee Hyun Il (of South Korea) and Peter Gade Christensen (Denmark) and even Hafiz Hashim could be a threat.
However, Lin Dan is the most dangerous. Timesport: Your style of play is said to be becoming too predictable and it is believed this is the reason you struggle against China’s shuttlers. How would you tackle this problem in your preparation for the Olympics?
Choong Hann: I have the tendency to start on a fast pace and at times I have struggled to maintain it. China’s shuttlers have found a way to counter my play by engaging me in long rallies to upset my rhythm. I am working to improve my attack and defence to become a better player all-round in order to match the Chinese.
Patience is the key to overcoming the top players and Misbun has helped by having a special programme for me to be well prepared for the Olympics.
I also struggle to maintain my performance after winning a title, so I will have to choose my tournaments carefully.
Timesport: Do you intend to quit after the Olympics?
Choong Hann: I have not decided yet but I might consider retiring as I will be 27 this year. There are still the World Championships in Los Angeles next year and I might give it my final go.
I started a business management degree on a part-time basis last year and I will go full-time into studies if I decide to retire.
Timesport: Congratulations once again on being picked the 2003 Timesport-Sports Toto Personality of The Year.
Choong Hann: Thank you and Happy New Year to all Timesport readers.
Courtesy of New Straits Times
Timesport: Congratulations on being picked as the 2003 Timesport-Sports Toto Personality of The Year. It must have been quite a journey but how did you take up the game and did it cross your mind that you could make badminton a successful career then?
Choong Hann: I began playing badminton at the age of 10 but it was just for fun at an open court near my house in Sri Petaling. The ‘fun’ beginning got a little serious and turned out to be a surprise when I represented my school SRJK (C) Kwong Hou in 1989.
When I won the National Schools (MSSM) under-12 title in Muar a year later, I started thinking about my future as a badminton player as my success was achieved in such a short period. After I won the MSSM under-15 title, I was drafted into the National Badminton Academy in Taman Maluri and that was when I really believed I could become a top class international if I started working hard.
Timesport: Who was the person who identified your talent and fine-tuned your basics during the early days?
Choong Hann: My first coach was Ong Mei Ling who was the Kwong Hou school coach. My father Wong Sew Pin was not a direct influence on my decision to take up badminton but he was supportive of it.
Timesport: Who helped you develop into a top class player?
Choong Hann: There were several coaches who deserve mention. Han Jian guided me in the initial stages but it was Chan Changjie who made the difference. He was the man who helped me improve my physical condition which helped me make inroads into the national team in the mid 1990s. His weight training programme and training methods suited me and took me to another level. Although Changjie was coaching Ong Ewe Hock and Yong Hock Kin at that time, I took the initiative to join his training. Changjie saw my interest and was ever willing to help and I started performing better in the international arena. Former national coach Morten Frost Hansen was also instrumental in my progress as it was he who gave me the opportunity to play in the 1998 Commonwealth Games although I was still not an established player. Frost also gave me the opportunity to compete in overseas tournaments regularly and his advice on technical aspects of the game was also a great help. Frost is a specialist when it comes to match analysis and his tips during tournaments guided me to victory on many occasions.
My current coach Misbun Sidek’s contribution has been enormous as I have become more consistent now and in good physical condition to match the world’s best. Misbun is also always open to discussions and this has given me the opportunity to overcome my weaknesses.
Timesport: You were equally good in badminton and studies. Did your father condone your decision to become a full-time player after scoring 5As in your SPM in 1995?
Choong Hann: My father was very supportive although there was no certainty that I would make it as an international player. His only advice was that I must be totally committed in whatever field I chose and have a never-say-die attitude. Giving up without fulfilling my dreams is something my father will never agree to and he has supported me all the way.
Timesport: Despite your talent, you did not achieve success on the international scene until you won the 1997 Dutch Open although you have been with the national training centre since 1993?
Choong Hann: Due to my success in local junior events, I was an over-rated player in the beginning. At international level, my only success was a bronze medal in the 1994 World Junior Championships in Kuala Lumpur with Loo Yew Loong in the doubles. When I won a surprise doubles title in the 1996 National Grand Prix final with Cheah Soon Kit, I was getting too much attention.
The expectations were high but I knew that I had yet to mature into a quality player.
However, I got my first break when I won the 1997 Dutch Open. Winning the 1998 Commonwealth Games gold medal also helped boost my playing career. I was only listed for the men’s singles when Roslin Hashim withdrew and it turned out to be a pleasant outing as I beat the in-form Yong Hock Kin in the final.
Timesport: After having won the Commonwealth Games gold, you started producing better results and reached several grand prix finals but you kept failing at the final hurdle. Was there too much pressure on you?
Choong Hann: My disappointments in the finals of the grand prix events were probably because I put too much pressure on myself to win. After losing several finals, the pressure started to mount. I even started thinking about whether I would ever win another title again.
All that changed when I won the Dutch and China Opens in 2002. The pressure was eased. Winning has become easier now and that’s why I managed to win the recent Taiwan Open and Copenhagen Masters. Timesport: What has been your biggest achievement and most disappointing moment in your career so far.
Choong Hann: Winning the World Championships silver medal in Birmingham last August was my best achievement but it was also the most disappointing. I have never done so well in a major event but at the same time, it was an opportunity which slipped away.
I was struggling in the match but fought back and despite controlling the match in the third game, I let Xia Xuanze (of China) run away with the title. It was a painful experience but I have overcome it. It was not the end of the world and there are more major events to look out for.
Timesport: What is your major goal for 2004?
Choong Hann: The Olympics gold. It is the pinnacle of an athlete’s achievement. I do not want to end my career as the player who was only second best.
Off course it will not be easy as China’s shuttlers will be all out to defend the title Ji Xinpeng won in Sydney 2000 but my chances are as good as anyone’s provided I can maintain my performance and believe that I have what it takes to become the Olympic champion.
The Thomas Cup is the other event I would like to do well in. It would be nice to win the Thomas Cup as well but nothing can match the feeling of being an Olympic champion. I want to experience that.
Timesport: Who are your main rivals in the Olympics?
Choong Hann: The singles event has become so open that any player from the top 15 is capable of winning the Olympics gold. However, China’s Lin Dan, Xuanze and Chen Hong will be my main rivals. Players like Taufik Hidayat (of Indonesia), Lee Hyun Il (of South Korea) and Peter Gade Christensen (Denmark) and even Hafiz Hashim could be a threat.
However, Lin Dan is the most dangerous. Timesport: Your style of play is said to be becoming too predictable and it is believed this is the reason you struggle against China’s shuttlers. How would you tackle this problem in your preparation for the Olympics?
Choong Hann: I have the tendency to start on a fast pace and at times I have struggled to maintain it. China’s shuttlers have found a way to counter my play by engaging me in long rallies to upset my rhythm. I am working to improve my attack and defence to become a better player all-round in order to match the Chinese.
Patience is the key to overcoming the top players and Misbun has helped by having a special programme for me to be well prepared for the Olympics.
I also struggle to maintain my performance after winning a title, so I will have to choose my tournaments carefully.
Timesport: Do you intend to quit after the Olympics?
Choong Hann: I have not decided yet but I might consider retiring as I will be 27 this year. There are still the World Championships in Los Angeles next year and I might give it my final go.
I started a business management degree on a part-time basis last year and I will go full-time into studies if I decide to retire.
Timesport: Congratulations once again on being picked the 2003 Timesport-Sports Toto Personality of The Year.
Choong Hann: Thank you and Happy New Year to all Timesport readers.
Courtesy of New Straits Times