The Star - August 8, 2005

PETALING JAYA: The heavy burden is off national badminton singles player Wong Choong Hann's shoulders for the first time in many years – thanks to the rise of the youngsters Lee Chong Wei and Mohd Hafiz Hashim.

And Choong Hann intends to take a cool approach as he gears up for what will be his fifth campaign in the World Championships in Anaheim, California from Aug 15-21.

Choong Hann was the toast of the Malaysian team in Birmingham two years ago when he went all the way into the final before losing in three tough games to China's Xia Xuanze.

Despite the defeat, Choong Hann emerged with his head held high, returning as the first Malaysian singles player to win a medal at the World Championships.

But Choong Hann's performance since then has been a roller coaster ride, leading many critics to believe that he is already a spent force on the world stage.

Choong Hann reached the All-England semi-finals and played a leading role in Malaysia's promotion to Division One in the Sudirman Cup world mixed team competition in China in May. However, his bid to get into the top eight in the world rankings did not materialise with early exits in the Singapore and Malaysia Opens.

Choong Hann lost in the second round to home player Ronald Susilo in the Singapore Open and was beaten by Peter-Gade Christensen of Denmark in the third round of the Malaysian Open.

He is the third ranked Malaysian singles player going into the world meet behind Chong Wei and Hafiz but Choong Hann is unperturbed over the reversal of roles this time around.

“It's okay if I am not the top player this time.

“The important thing is for me to be in the right frame of mind.

“I will play to the best of my abilities and hope things fall into place,” said the 28-year-old, who got married recently.

“I have been told by the coach that I tend to think and worry too much about the outcome.

“I was not relaxed enough and it is not good for me,” he added.

With the attention now on Hafiz and Chong Wei, one should not discount Choong Hann's chances in the world meet.

His experience and the determination to do well in what could be his last World Championships campaign as a singles player could help him to rise to the occasion.

The 10th seeded Choong Hann is expected to face his first real test against China's Bao Chunlai in the third round. And Choong Hann can certainly do Malaysia a favour if he beats the Chinese.

It should then ensure an all-Malaysian affair in the quarter-finals, as Chong Wei also has a bright prospect of getting there from the same half of the draw.

Choong Hann has a 2-3 record against Chunlai but he prefers not to be drawn into discussing his chances at this stage.

“The thing is to prepare well and not think about anything else.

“If I do well, that's fine,” added Choong Hann, who is also the first Malaysian to win the China Open title in 2002.

BADMINTON: Choong Hann ready to give his all
Vijesh Rai

Aug 11:
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HIS World Championship silver medal achievement was just two years ago but for national singles shuttler Wong Choong Hann, it feels like a lifetime ago.
Choong Hann, 28, has gradually slipped down the national ranking list since his defeat to China’s Xia Xuanze in Birmingham and is now ranked behind Lee Chong Wei and Hafiz Hashim in the national rankings.

In fact, Choong Hann’s form this year indicates that if there is to be a medal finish from a men’s singles shuttler, it would be from either Chong Wei or Hafiz, both 23.

The recently married Choong Hann agrees.

"I have to accept that my form this year hasn’t been inspiring," said Choong Hann yesterday.

His best result of 2005 so far is his semi-final appearance in the All-England Championships last March, where Choong Hann lost to China’s Lin Dan 8-15,15-12, 1-15.

Since then, he has lost in the third round of the Japan Open, second round of the Singapore Open and third round of the Malaysia Open.

Hardly the kind of form a shuttler would want to carry into the World Championships.

"I know that it isn’t going to be easy but then again, it wasn’t easy in 2003 either. I wasn’t expected to win a medal but I came close to becoming the champion," said Choong Hann.

And he did come close for his appearance in the final (in Birmingham) was the first ever by a national singles shuttler. In fact, the previous best was Rashid Sidek’s two quarter-final appearances.

But Xuanze, who has been Choong Hann’s bogeyman, was too strong in the final, winning 6-15, 15-13, 6-15.

Choong Hann, seeded 10th for this year’s edition which will be played in Anaheim, California next week, said he rates his chances as 50-50.

"The field is of a high quality. I believe that I, along with everyone else, have a chance.

"I have prepared well and despite a tough draw, aim to produce my best. This is something that I have not been doing in the last few championships but hopefully, this will change in the World Championships."

Choong Hann, barring any upsets, should cruise into the third round where he is likely to face China’s Bao Chunlai.

Although he lost to Chunlai in their previous meeting — the the quarter-finals of the German Open earlier this year — Choong Hann has an even record against the Chinese.

Then, if he triumphs, will come a showdown with compatriot Chong Wei in the last eight.

"This is my fifth World Championships and I want it to be memorable. I can assure everyone that I will give my best."