ants
05-15-2004, 01:11 PM
NST
WONG Choong Hann is reckoned to be Malaysia’s best bet for a medal in the Athens Olympics but the shuttler won’t deliver as long as he can’t overcome two major problems in his game.
Choong Hann, said coach Misbun Sidek is too intense when on the court and another major concern is his inability to overcome several players, Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro being the latest.
Choong Hann was the favourite against Sony in the opening tie of the Thomas Cup quarter-final on Wednesday but fell, for the third consecutive time.
Misbun said Choong Hann puts undue pressure on himself as he tends to focus too much on playing well, so much so that it disrupts his flow and movement on the court.
Misbun acknowledged that this is hampering Choong Hann's ability to play to his true potential.
"He is very focused and that is good. But he is focused to the point that it is detrimental to his game," said Misbun yesterday.
"It is making him too tense as he badly wants to do well for the team and for himself, and this puts undue pressure on him."
A heavy responsibility was placed on Choong Hann to give Malaysia a winning start against Sony.
However, just like at the December Sea Games in Vietnam, Choong Hann seemed to have lost his game plan midway through the match to surrender 15-12, 2-15, 6-15.
That proved to be the turning point as the Malaysians went on to concede the second singles and second doubles to catch an early flight home to Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Malaysia's only point came from the first doubles pair of Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah.
"Anyway, the Thomas Cup is history and it is time to shift our focus to the Olympic Games," added Misbun.
"The next three months will be spent preparing Choong Hann and the other two players for the challenge in Athens."
For the Games, which will be held from August 13 to 29, Malaysia will be represented by Choong Hann, Roslin Hashim and Lee Chong Wei in the singles, while Tan Fook-Wan Wah and Chew Choon Eng-Chan Chong Ming will carry the challenge in the doubles.
The women’s pair of Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui have also qualified for Athens.
Misbun also acknowledged that Choong Hann was increasingly at a loss on how to play against Sony as the defeat was his third consecutive defeat to the Indonesian.
"Although the Olympics are not about Sony alone, we have to do a lot of work with the players in studying the opponents’ weaknesses and strengths," said Misbun.
Choong Hann also has a poor record against China’s Lin Dan, Chen Hong and Xia Xuanze. In fact, Choong Hann is winless in eight meetings with Xuanze, who denied him the World Championships title in Birmingham last year.
"Choong Hann and the rest have to be prepared to play anyone and, as such, they have to have in-depth knowledge of their opponents."
Choong Hann is Malaysia’s best hope for an Olympic medal but as far as Misbun is concerned, he has to approach the game in a more relaxed manner if he is to deliver.
WONG Choong Hann is reckoned to be Malaysia’s best bet for a medal in the Athens Olympics but the shuttler won’t deliver as long as he can’t overcome two major problems in his game.
Choong Hann, said coach Misbun Sidek is too intense when on the court and another major concern is his inability to overcome several players, Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro being the latest.
Choong Hann was the favourite against Sony in the opening tie of the Thomas Cup quarter-final on Wednesday but fell, for the third consecutive time.
Misbun said Choong Hann puts undue pressure on himself as he tends to focus too much on playing well, so much so that it disrupts his flow and movement on the court.
Misbun acknowledged that this is hampering Choong Hann's ability to play to his true potential.
"He is very focused and that is good. But he is focused to the point that it is detrimental to his game," said Misbun yesterday.
"It is making him too tense as he badly wants to do well for the team and for himself, and this puts undue pressure on him."
A heavy responsibility was placed on Choong Hann to give Malaysia a winning start against Sony.
However, just like at the December Sea Games in Vietnam, Choong Hann seemed to have lost his game plan midway through the match to surrender 15-12, 2-15, 6-15.
That proved to be the turning point as the Malaysians went on to concede the second singles and second doubles to catch an early flight home to Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Malaysia's only point came from the first doubles pair of Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah.
"Anyway, the Thomas Cup is history and it is time to shift our focus to the Olympic Games," added Misbun.
"The next three months will be spent preparing Choong Hann and the other two players for the challenge in Athens."
For the Games, which will be held from August 13 to 29, Malaysia will be represented by Choong Hann, Roslin Hashim and Lee Chong Wei in the singles, while Tan Fook-Wan Wah and Chew Choon Eng-Chan Chong Ming will carry the challenge in the doubles.
The women’s pair of Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui have also qualified for Athens.
Misbun also acknowledged that Choong Hann was increasingly at a loss on how to play against Sony as the defeat was his third consecutive defeat to the Indonesian.
"Although the Olympics are not about Sony alone, we have to do a lot of work with the players in studying the opponents’ weaknesses and strengths," said Misbun.
Choong Hann also has a poor record against China’s Lin Dan, Chen Hong and Xia Xuanze. In fact, Choong Hann is winless in eight meetings with Xuanze, who denied him the World Championships title in Birmingham last year.
"Choong Hann and the rest have to be prepared to play anyone and, as such, they have to have in-depth knowledge of their opponents."
Choong Hann is Malaysia’s best hope for an Olympic medal but as far as Misbun is concerned, he has to approach the game in a more relaxed manner if he is to deliver.