For those of us who think that a professional is as fit as a fiddle, will not get tired and can go on training and playing, this is a lesson to learn. Professionals are human beings too and will be subjected to the same physical stress as we do and if they go against what their bodies are telling them, they could be in for a lot of trouble!

Reported by Rajes Paul in today's Star, Malaysia's "National No. 1, Lee Chong Wei had to watch the simulated Thomas Cup ties as a spectator at the Sarawak Bumputera Badminton Asssociation Hall yesterday.

He does not want to be in a similar situation in the upcoming Finals in Japan (where he will feature as Malaysia's first singles) and will have to tread with caution in training.

On Wednesday, Chong Wei had to seek teatment in a hospital for hurting his back. The injury is not serious and he is expected to be back on his feet after resting for two days.

"I just cannot imagine if the injury had been bad. I could have been out of the team for the (TC) Finals. That was a frightening thought," said Chong Wei in a telephone interview from Kuching.

"This is the first time that I have experienced pain on my back. I could not walk, could not bend and I had difficulty wearing my pants. My coach(Li Mao) panicked and sent me for treatment. There was a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan and fortunately, it was not a serious injury."

Chong Wei admitted that he had over-exerted himself in training.

"The Thomas Cup Finals are very important to me. I pushed myself hard even though I was tired. I should have known my limit. This is a good lesson for me. I will just be more careful," he said.

He was overwhelmed by the concern shown by his teammates and the coaches.

"My teammates and the coaches got worried. They called me and showed great support. They have asked me to take it easy." he said.

Chong Wei said that he would get back on the track quickly.

"I went for a jog this morning. The pain was not as bad as yesterday. I will be back to KL tomorrow and should be able to do some light training. I am still confident of a good showing in the Finals."

The two-week training camp in Kuching ends today. The team leaves for Japan on Sunday.

In a simulated tie held yesterday, Team B defeated Team A, 3-1.

WCH bt Kuan Beng Hong 21-14, 16-21, 21-12
CCM-KKK lost to Choong TF-LWW 17-21, 11-21 (Not good for the 1st MD!)
Mohd Hafiz bt Lee Tsuen Seng 21-18, 21-11
Gan Teik Chai-Mohd Zakry bt Chew Choon Eng-Tan Boon Heong 20-22, 23-22, 21-16.

He is doing fine. Just during the strain it really worries the whole team. He is now ok.

I wonder if Kien Kiat/Chong Ming could get the point from first men double. When are they going to reach the standard of top men doubles?!:confused:

From the report, sound quite serious, can't walk etc. Have experienced that myself... Hope he gets well soon and have a good fight in TC.

yes, i hope it was just a 'scary pain':D

too much 'tension'

Hi Loh,


It's so unfortunate this happened.


You are so right... our body, when subjected to too much physical stress, could be in for a lot of trouble.


This is why we should only build up our training gradually, hoping to peak right at the championship time. But how much can our body take? And where is this “peak”? These questions are very difficult to answer.


I do not know if Li Mao's request for Chong Wei to train in the sand was a new thing for Chong Wei. Somehow, I feel that the “sand training” is the cause of the problem. But then, I could be wrong.


Hope that he is ok. Hope that Taufik is ok too. We want all the top players from each nation to participate in the Thomas/Uber Cup.

Hi Loh,


It's so unfortunate this happened.


You are so right... our body, when subjected to too much physical stress, could be in for a lot of trouble.


This is why we should only build up our training gradually, hoping to peak right at the championship time. But how much can our body take? And where is this “peak”? These questions are very difficult to answer.


I do not know if Li Mao's request for Chong Wei to train in the sand was a new thing for Chong Wei. Somehow, I feel that the “sand training” is the cause of the problem. But then, I could be wrong.


Hope that he is ok. Hope that Taufik is ok too. We want all the top players from each nation to participate in the Thomas/Uber Cup.


like rocky's training :D (rocky vs ivan drago)

Aiii yooo.... could this be the romour from BAM?
Everbody making romours before Thomas Cup. Not only this year but the past as well.... bored about it~!

Aiii yooo.... could this be the romour from BAM?
Everbody making romours before Thomas Cup. Not only this year but the past as well.... bored about it~!

I don't think this is merely a rumour. Malaysia usually won't do this kind of stuff.

Build-up to Thomas Cup Finals: Psyched up

22 Apr 2006
K.M. Boopathy (nstsports@nst.com.my)

EACH training session is ended with a powerful rendition of Queen’s ‘We are the Champions’.

But as far as Malaysia’s Thomas Cup squad is concerned, they aim to do the same at the end of their Thomas Cup campaign in Japan on May 7.

And national head coach Yap Kim Hock firmly believes, if the indications at the recently concluded training stint in Kuching are anything to go by, the team’s exceptional team spirit will see Malaysia through in Japan.

Never before had the Malaysian shuttlers worked harder, showed team unity and enjoyed every training session and Kim Hock was in a buoyant mood when he left Kuching yesterday.

"This is probably the most fruitful two weeks of training we ever had preparing for a major tournament and it gives lots of hope," said Kim Hock.

"They trained hard and remained focused. The most striking aspect of this squad is their team spirit.

"The players are not only prepared to face tough challenges ahead, they were always around to motivate and compliment each other. This is very heartening to see.

"In Japan, the squad will give nothing but the best and something tells me good things are in store for us in our Thomas Cup campaign this year."

The team unity was evident when Lee Chong Wei, who is expected to play a sterling role in Malaysia's attempt to win the Thomas Cup for the first time since 1992, had an injury scare on Tuesday.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Saturday/Sport/bad1.JPG

Chong Wei was suspected to have suffered a back injury and his team-mates rushed to a Chinese temple to offer a prayer.

Although it’s nothing big, Chong Wei, who only suffered a back strain, was touched by the concern of his teammates.

In return, he has vowed to play a leading role in Japan.

The Kuching training stint also exposed the team’s weaknesses which needs to be addressed.

The singles players have been performing well but veteran Wong Choong Hann appears to be the only player struggling at the moment.

Chong Wei, Hafiz Hashim and Kuan Beng Hong are looking solid, and singles coach Li Mao is confident that Choong Hann will buck up and believes the 29-year-old shuttler's experience can pull him through in Japan.

National doubles coach Rexy Mainaky has bigger issues to tackle as Chan Chong Ming, who forms the first doubles with Koo Kien Keat, has been playing below par while reserve Chew Choon Eng has also been struggling in training.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Saturday/Sport/bad2.JPG

Both players fared badly in the friendly match among the national players on Thursday. Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah easily beat Chong Ming-Kien Keat while Choon Eng-Tan Boon Heong lost to Zakry Latif-Gan Teik Chai, who failed to make the Thomas Cup squad.

"Chong Ming allows his emotions to take over and is easily distracted. I have asked psychologist Alexius (Cheang) to work with him," said Rexy.

I don't think this is merely a rumour. Malaysia usually won't do this kind of stuff.

:D Ya.... usual this is the tactic of INA team, almost every TC they will make some rumor. And CHN for sometimes maybe?

I don't think this is merely a rumour. Malaysia usually won't do this kind of stuff.
so it's true lcw gets injured :D

so it's true lcw gets injured :D

Hahahaha..... if LCW loses his match then he and MAS team will have excuse for themselves.
But hopefully he has 100% recovered. I want to watch all top players play for their game in 100% form & condition. That is Thomas Cup to watch.

Hahahaha..... if LCW loses his match then he and MAS team will have excuse for themselves.
But hopefully he has 100% recovered. I want to watch all top players play for their game in 100% form & condition. That is Thomas Cup to watch.

yes, so do i...

the matches i'm looking forward:

TH vs lcw
th vs lin dan
lcw vs lin dan

yes, so do i...

the matches i'm looking forward:

TH vs lcw
th vs lin dan
lcw vs lin dan

Hast Taufik played LeeCW at any tournamnets other than WC 2005 in anaheim? Taufik spanked him!

yes, so do i...

the matches i'm looking forward:

TH vs lcw
th vs lin dan
lcw vs lin dan

Well, maybe you'll be disappointed if Sony is ranked ahead of TH, then Sony will be playing 1st singles in TC. Hope you can watch TH vs either LCW or LD in other competitions like the Philippines, Indonesian, Malaysian or Singapore Opens. :)

matches i like to see are

TH vs chen jin

LCW vs chen jin

matches i like to see are

TH vs chen jin

LCW vs chen jin

yes, me too :D

i want to see the china 'rising star', chen jin play againts th and lcw

matches i like to see are

TH vs chen jin

LCW vs chen jin

Looks like Chen Jin is your darling boy now. Yannie will be very jealous! :D
But I haven't watched CJ vs Lin Dan, both from the same Chinese system of youth badminton development and professional training. Don't you think it will be very interesting to see how they try to outmanoeuvre each other?

Come to think of it, despite China's no lack of badminton talents, it takes many, many years to produce these two stars and how short a period they will last at the world stage! :(

Hast Taufik played LeeCW at any tournamnets other than WC 2005 in anaheim? Taufik spanked him!

On the other hand, I think it was Taufik who got a spanking in the last Malaysian Open (2005) when he received a duck's egg from LCW in the second game! :crying:

matches i like to see are

TH vs chen jin

LCW vs chen jin

That's almost impossible. Players must be ordered by world ranking.

TH and LCW must play in the first singles because they are the top in their respective countries.

Chen Jin can play first singles, but that would mean Lin, Chen and Bao will not get to play. Xia will have to play second singles and the third singles will have to be filled by one of the doubles players. It's not impossible but nearly there.

That's almost impossible. Players must be ordered by world ranking.

TH and LCW must play in the first singles because they are the top in their respective countries.

Chen Jin can play first singles, but that would mean Lin, Chen and Bao will not get to play. Xia will have to play second singles and the third singles will have to be filled by one of the doubles players. It's not impossible but nearly there.


I think they mean they wish to see CJ vs TH/LCW in other tournament beside this TU.

I wanna see LCW beats Lin Dan so badly...their last match was so fascinating...went into rubble...and it was so close...

I support LCW all the way.

yes, so do i...

the matches i'm looking forward:

TH vs lcw
th vs lin dan
lcw vs lin dan

Looks like you may have your wish come true as TH is ranked ahead of Sony and will play 1st Singles if Taufik is not injured.

Apparently the world ranking of these 3 superstars is TH (11), LCW (2) and LD (1).

Based on world rankings for the TC, it seems that China's singles players are all ranked ahead of Malaysia, Denmark and Indonesia and therefore China, on paper, should have an advantage.

The WR of all the players from these 4 countries (CHN, MSA, DEN and INA) for their respective events are as follows:

Singles

1st : Lin Dan (1); Lee Chong Wei (2); Peter Gade (3); Taufik Hidayat (11)

2nd : Chen Hong (5); Wong Choong Hann (8); K Jonassen (7); Sony (19)

3rd : Bao ChunLai (6); Mohd Hafiz (10); N Kaldau (12); Simon Santoso (26)


But in Doubles, Denmark appears to be the strongest:

1st : Cai/Fu (3); CCM/KKK (6); Eriksen/Lundgaard (1); Candra/Sigit (2)

2nd: Guo/Xie (16); Choong/Lee (7); Boe/Morgensen (4); Luluk/Alven (5)

But we all know that what is on paper matters little in a world men's team competition like the TC. It is the battle on the courts that counts most.

Indonesia seems the weakest all round, but who can be daring enough to say that Taufik will lose all his matches? And if TH could scalp LD, LCW and Peter Gade if they should meet, what sort of signal and impact this could bring to his compatriots? ;)

So, each of us should cheer for our favourites and hope they can do the impossible! I only wish I could sit in a special room with my like-minded friends and shout till my voice has gone coarse.

But it will be a dream come true if one day we could have something close to World Cup soccer fever. And if just like the Japanese soccer fanatics, who are going to enjoy the forthcoming June World Cup competitions that will be played out in Germany, we could have a special aircon environment with computer games on badminton, internet facilties, a big screen with an excellent sound system, a bar and an eatery and lots of comfortable cushions to relax into. We can shout to our heart's content and forget about the time difference, even though we in Asia are watching live the TC rivalry happening in faraway Europe or America at times totally opposed to ours.

It must also be Punch Gunalan's dream as well! :p