Badminton: Kien Keat is his own man

[ixory]

Badminton: Kien Keat is his own man

By : K.M. Boopathy (boopathy@nst.com.my)
NST Online (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Sport/20070727075225/Article/index_html)




KOO Kien Keat is his own man and feels that people should judge him on what he delivers and not how he delivers.
Kien Keat has been criticised, sometimes unfairly, for his overzealous and flamboyant play on court but the shuttler feels that changing things at this stage of his playing career, could be a huge mistake.

So he has no intention of curbing his style of play. In fact, the 22-year-old Kien Keat was quick to point out that he has been playing like this — overzealous and flamboyant — since his junior days and still did well with partner Tan Boon Heong on the on the world stage.

Kien Keat and Boon Heong clinched the Doha Asian Games gold last December and earlier this year, won the Malaysia Open, the All England and the Swiss Open where the former was cited more for his lively style on court rather than his exceptional talent.

The pair suffered a drastic loss of form after the Swiss Open in March and having endured a tough four months, Kien Keat is looking forward to World Championships at Putra Stadium on Aug 1 (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Sport/20070727075225/Article/index_html#)3-19 where he intends to continue being himself. "I don’t mind being criticised but I’ll utilise every method that helps me to perform well," said Kien Keat yesterday.
"My lively nature on court is spontaneous and has always helped uplift my performance. I will continue to be aggressive but not cocky. "I do not force myself to do something if I’m not comfortable and neither is anything plan (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Sport/20070727075225/Article/index_html#)ned. Being cheerful and aggressive at the same time has been my key to performing well. Take that away and my performance will be affected."

Kien Keat continued: "Psychological battles are equally important and this is employed by most top players. We need to match our opponents in every aspect to win and I’ll continue performing at the top without curbing my natural habits."

"The World Championships is the most crucial event for us and we will have to battle the hard way to be successful and I have full faith in my style," he added.

Kien Keat also stated that there are many players who are well mannered on court but are extremely rude and arrogant off the court and he doesn’t want to become like that.

In fact, Kien Keat’s role as the aggressor is also due to the reserved and calm nature of his partner Boon Heong and he has perfected his role as in almost the identical manner of his coach Rexy Mainaky.

The deeply religious and disciplined Rexy, in his heyday as a player, becomes a tyrant on court and torments his opponents with his psychological battles. He won every major title at stake with partner Ricky Subagja in the 90 (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Sport/20070727075225/Article/index_html#)s, and Kien Keat’s expects to do the same in his career.

[madbad]

I kinda agree with what KKK says about himself. When he tried to curb is flamboyant approach, the pair's fortunes went down. People don't normally work well when they are not allowed to be themselves. While allowing him to play his normal game, there must be better ways to harness/amplify his talent and infectious attitude.

BTW, I wonder who he meant when he said there were players who well mannered on the court but rude and arrogant off it...?

[Jessica]

Well,i really admirer KKK attitude no matter on court or off court,i guess this is the reason why so many person like him and also so many dislike him.Well, i agree that nobody know him better than himself.Just believe in his own.Sometimes we can't change other people view about us,what we can do is just do our best.All the best to him in the coming World Championship.

[ants]

Don't judge a book by its Cover.

[koo_fan]

Ask him what is so different when he become nobody then suddenly became a star.his answer will be the reason for his bad performance lately.

[thiery]

all good players should possess a little element of ego on the court because that's what makes a good player. i'm okay with KKK's attitude on court. it lifts the spirit and excitement of the game.

[chibe_K]

Message to KKK, just be yourself !!! You don't have to care how others are judging you. If you continue to deliver results, the world will enjoy your acts on the court.

[koo_fan]

Message to KKK, just be yourself !!! You don't have to care how others are judging you. If you continue to deliver results, the world will enjoy your acts on the court.
hope he hears u.i have the same message like u .But do u really think he has time to visit this forum???

[tjl_vanguard]

just... leave him alone la.. he noes wads best for himself more than any of us here although we so expert in "literal" section of the game...... and practical much more important in sports aint it.. :D

[koo_fan]

just... leave him alone la.. he noes wads best for himself more than any of us here although we so expert in "literal" section of the game...... and practical much more important in sports aint it.. :D
If WE - the supporters leave him alone,then OTHERS - with their criticises will bring him more depression.Got it?? Leave us-the supporters of kkk ALONE.

[bad_fanatic]

I don't get it, when KKK is being flamboyant or overzealous then he's just badge as being himself. Where as when Lin Dan does the same then he's badge as being cocky and arrogant.

Anyway I think that the players should control themself. He might think that he's being himself, but other player can take it as though he's being disrespectful to them. There's matches that I've seen where his opponent does the same and he wasn't so happy. There's the golden rule, do to other as you want others to do to you. But I guess he likes it when his oppenent act the way he does.

[Dimplex]

the way kkk just makes it all the more exciting to watch imo

[Joyous]

The problem with some of us is that we have 2 set of rules; one for our idol and another for those we don't like. And that's where we go wrong.

IMO, it's okay to be 'expressive' on court. Like Thiery says, it does add excitement & spirit to the game. Otherwise, the sports journalist will have nothing much to write other than the score, right?

[ye333]

Well, to me there is the following difference. In KKK's case, my impression is that he just can't help it. He kind of forget about courtesy and stuff. While in LD's case, I always feel his "flamboyancy" is directed at his opponents and he is doing that deliberately to make opponents angry (most obvious when he played PG in 04, when PG is still very strong). These are my impressions from the first day I watched LD (in 2003) and KKK (in 2005) play. I was not a fan of either at that time.

Put it simply, I always judge this kind of things by assuming: what if I am their opponents? I find that I can tolerate KKK more.

Anyway, it's all subjective. There can be no proof. It may turn out that KKK is a natural born actor, who knows.


I don't get it, when KKK is being flamboyant or overzealous then he's just badge as being himself. Where as when Lin Dan does the same then he's badge as being cocky and arrogant.

Anyway I think that the players should control themself. He might think that he's being himself, but other player can take it as though he's being disrespectful to them. There's matches that I've seen where his opponent does the same and he wasn't so happy. There's the golden rule, do to other as you want others to do to you. But I guess he likes it when his oppenent act the way he does.

[pjswift]

Well, to me there is the following difference. In KKK's case, my impression is that he just can't help it. He kind of forget about courtesy and stuff. While in LD's case, I always feel his "flamboyancy" is directed at his opponents and he is doing that deliberately to make opponents angry (most obvious when he played PG in 04, when PG is still very strong). These are my impressions from the first day I watched LD (in 2003) and KKK (in 2005) play. I was not a fan of either at that time.

Put it simply, I always judge this kind of things by assuming: what if I am their opponents? I find that I can tolerate KKK more.

Anyway, it's all subjective. There can be no proof. It may turn out that KKK is a natural born actor, who knows.
Totally agree with your 'compare and contrast' analysis of KKK and LD. LD, in one match, was mockingly rude to PG. It was disgusting to inadvertently be a witness.

[azabaz_ipoh]

what did LD do? i must have missed that match. but i do know that when LD refuse to wear the traditional hat in sarawak, i think it was the malaysian open against LCW, now that was rude. even if you dont like the hat or something, you should wear it just so as not to offend the hosts. that incident was the start of my dislike of LD, good player though he is.

[koo_fan]

what did LD do? i must have missed that match. but i do know that when LD refuse to wear the traditional hat in sarawak, i think it was the malaysian open against LCW, now that was rude. even if you dont like the hat or something, you should wear it just so as not to offend the hosts. that incident was the start of my dislike of LD, good player though he is.
Thats the way Azabah ipoh .I know theres someone will understand feel what i feel

[pjswift]

what did LD do? i must have missed that match. but i do know that when LD refuse to wear the traditional hat in sarawak, i think it was the malaysian open against LCW, now that was rude. even if you dont like the hat or something, you should wear it just so as not to offend the hosts. that incident was the start of my dislike of LD, good player though he is.
When you see the match, you will understand.I don't store these things cos they don't deserve to be archived but impressions are hard to bin ; the matches are probably 2 or 3 years ago and PG just came back from injury.LD's body language is very easy to read;he's a bad actor. But in verbal language, he is well trained,so in this he can be a good actor.
Anyway he has been paying dearly for his MO07 mistake, there's nothing he can do about that now.He used to be quite popular here before but a lot of his former fans have turned against him.They show it by cheering for his opponents without jeering him.

[bad_fanatic]

I on the other hand think that Peter wasn't that great either. I have the video of the 2004 AE MSF. During that game Peter would often pump is fist directly at LD and often time get into position wait until LD serve and then raise his hand as ask for a let. LD raised his racket to apologized, but PG continuously to do it through out the match. At the end of the match, PG patted LD on the head, and LD took it offensively. To me PG isn't so great himself.

For KKK, there's matches that I saw (2005 Sudirman Cup against the Japanese), he knew the shuttle was out, but he intentionally swing and miss on purpose. I don't think that's very curtious to your opponent.

[ants]

Its all about Mental battle on court. Sometimes you need to do what you need to do to motivate yourself and show your opponent that you are still steady. All these happens on court. After the match, everything will be back to normal.

[ye333]

I don't think PG is "that great" either. Actually I think his mind is kind of weak and LD's strategy worked on him. Of course nowadays LD does not need such strategy to beat PG anymore. :)

For KKK, my impression is that he was very cocky (he is actually getting better now I think), and I think his little show is not "designed" deliberately to insult his opponents.

Anyway, no big deal.


I on the other hand think that Peter wasn't that great either. I have the video of the 2004 AE MSF. During that game Peter would often pump is fist directly at LD and often time get into position wait until LD serve and then raise his hand as ask for a let. LD raised his racket to apologized, but PG continuously to do it through out the match. At the end of the match, PG patted LD on the head, and LD took it offensively. To me PG isn't so great himself.

For KKK, there's matches that I saw (2005 Sudirman Cup against the Japanese), he knew the shuttle was out, but he intentionally swing and miss on purpose. I don't think that's very curtious to your opponent.

[samuel882]

I on the other hand think that Peter wasn't that great either. I have the video of the 2004 AE MSF. During that game Peter would often pump is fist directly at LD and often time get into position wait until LD serve and then raise his hand as ask for a let. LD raised his racket to apologized, but PG continuously to do it through out the match. At the end of the match, PG patted LD on the head, and LD took it offensively. To me PG isn't so great himself.

For KKK, there's matches that I saw (2005 Sudirman Cup against the Japanese), he knew the shuttle was out, but he intentionally swing and miss on purpose. I don't think that's very curtious to your opponent.

Fu/Chai oso always did the same trick every time their opponents serve, which I will dubbed as "time wasting" tactics. It can be rated as the same tactics apply at a football match wich to destroy opponentss spirits while they are on a high confidence after won a long rally/smash point normally. We certainly doesnt enjoyed their act coz it will slow the match.. definately as a spectators. We expected a non-stop actions.. rather than see both of them (fu/chai) playing this time - wasting tactics on the court.

[zqloy]

Fu/Chai oso always did the same trick every time their opponents serve, which I will dubbed as "time wasting" tactics. It can be rated as the same tactics apply at a football match wich to destroy opponentss spirits while they are on a high confidence after won a long rally/smash point normally. We certainly doesnt enjoyed their act coz it will slow the match.. definately as a spectators. We expected a non-stop actions.. rather than see both of them (fu/chai) playing this time - wasting tactics on the court.

Those tactics is to upset the opponent's momentum, esp when the opponents r gaining points in a row.

[samuel882]

Those tactics is to upset the opponent's momentum, esp when the opponents r gaining points in a row.
But i seldom see legendary PJB/KMS; LYB/TBY etc all those great MD pair needs to use this tactics to upset their opponents. Its just shows Fu/Chai doesn't in the class as them...
If you really makes a calculation.. fu/chai is spending the most time at court asking their opponents to wait for serving against them compaired with another current bunch of TOP MD pair

[abedeng]

But i seldom see legendary PJB/KMS; LYB/TBY etc all those great MD pair needs to use this tactics to upset their opponents. Its just shows Fu/Chai doesn't in the class as them...
If you really makes a calculation.. fu/chai is spending the most time at court asking their opponents to wait for serving against them compaired with another current bunch of TOP MD pair

Ah, but those were the days when everyone was a gentleman (yes, LYB included, I saw him play 20 years ago). It ended when PJB/KMS, LYB/TBY, Sidek bros et al retired and "fiery" characters like Cheah Soon Kit, Rexy Mainaky, Sigit Budiarto, Jens Eriksen etc took over .....

Now, psychological battles on court becomes more important, due to the point-per-rally system. Not doing so is probably half the battle lost. Not that I like it or condone blatantly unsporting conduct.

Umpires now have a tougher job filtering out legal psychological tactics from unsporting conduct.

[samuel882]

Ah, but those were the days when everyone was a gentleman (yes, LYB included, I saw him play 20 years ago). It ended when PJB/KMS, LYB/TBY, Sidek bros et al retired and "fiery" characters like Cheah Soon Kit, Rexy Mainaky, Sigit Budiarto, Jens Eriksen etc took over .....

Now, psychological battles on court becomes more important, due to the point-per-rally system. Not doing so is probably half the battle lost. Not that I like it or condone blatantly unsporting conduct.

Umpires now have a tougher job filtering out legal psychological tactics from unsporting conduct.

Truth.. Umpire should have do something for their unsporting behaviour.. Fans doesnt pay to watch players doing this tactics at all the matches

[abedeng]

That's why now you have the yellow, red and black cards.

[samuel882]

That's why now you have the yellow, red and black cards.
Wat does "BLACK CARD" meant?

[azabaz_ipoh]

Its all about Mental battle on court. Sometimes you need to do what you need to do to motivate yourself and show your opponent that you are still steady. All these happens on court. After the match, everything will be back to normal.

i agree. you have to do everything you can on court while competing. mental and psychological aspects of sports play an important part. being focused in whatever way that works for you like shouting or the pumping of hands should be allowed. you should be mentally strong to get over this if your opponent do this to rattle your cage. so to me, unless it is a blatant act of unsportmanship, these mental battles should be allowed. however, as i have mentioned before, it is how the players conduct themselves after the competition. do they act the same like when they are on court? what lin dan did in sarawak was not so much about badminton but a lot about manners. and that ungentlemanly conduct was the reason i dont favor him too much. :cool: i havent seen personally that kind of behaviour from other players, but if i do, i like to believe that i will see that player as ungentleman too.

[bad_fanatic]

i agree. you have to do everything you can on court while competing. mental and psychological aspects of sports play an important part. being focused in whatever way that works for you like shouting or the pumping of hands should be allowed. you should be mentally strong to get over this if your opponent do this to rattle your cage. so to me, unless it is a blatant act of unsportmanship, these mental battles should be allowed. however, as i have mentioned before, it is how the players conduct themselves after the competition. do they act the same like when they are on court? what lin dan did in sarawak was not so much about badminton but a lot about manners. and that ungentlemanly conduct was the reason i dont favor him too much. :cool: i havent seen personally that kind of behaviour from other players, but if i do, i like to believe that i will see that player as ungentleman too.

But how do we classify an action as unsportmanship? KKK knowing a shuttle that's going out, swings and miss on purpose, stares and pump fist at opponent is consider as being flamboyant. Taufik yelling at line judge, walking off court, punching spectator and it's classified as it's his attitude. Where as Lin Dan is classified as cocky and arrogant. Why?

But like Joyous said, we have different rules. One is for our Idol and the other is for the players we hate. When our idol is doing it, it's ok, but if it's the player we dislike, then we'll think totally opposite.

[taufik-ist]

Wat does "BLACK CARD" meant?

a black card means
http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/4359/smashfreakgp5.gif

[Han]

I don't think PG is "that great" either. Actually I think his mind is kind of weak and LD's strategy worked on him. Of course nowadays LD does not need such strategy to beat PG anymore. :)

For KKK, my impression is that he was very cocky (he is actually getting better now I think), and I think his little show is not "designed" deliberately to insult his opponents.

Anyway, no big deal.

To be fair to Peter, he was another Lin Dan during his prime even the "4-King Kong" from China(Sun Jun, Dong Jiong, Luo Yigang, Chen Kang) couldn't dominate in MS department like today. Obviously Peter is still an excellent player but is unfair to compare player's greatness playing against different generation. Peter was the main man during the 90s.

[ye333]

I think you misunderstood me. I am not comparing PG with LD. Yes at his prime he is just unbelievable (I would rather think of PG as a far more superior version of CJ, faster, more powerful, better technique, better strategy, basically better everything). And I think PG at his prime is at least as good as the best LD we have ever seen.

But it always seems to me that PG is a bit weak in mind. He is very smart, he has great game plans, but when the situation mysteriously goes out of control, he always becomes kind of lost.


To be fair to Peter, he was another Lin Dan during his prime even the "4-King Kong" from China(Sun Jun, Dong Jiong, Luo Yigang, Chen Kang) couldn't dominate in MS department like today. Obviously Peter is still an excellent player but is unfair to compare player's greatness playing against different generation. Peter was the main man during the 90s.

[ye333]

I will try to make myself clear. Being a bit arrogant is OK with me. ZJH is very arrogant, will throw his game away when bored by his opponent (for example FKK, who always manage to return Zhao's "perfect" shots).

But to me, there is a fine difference between being (sometimes unconsciously) arrogant and deliberately insulting your opponent. KKK, Sigit, ZJH, Taufik, etc. always belongs to the former while some of LD's on-court behavior (especially when he was still on the rise) arguably belongs to the latter. Another example of the latter is what LDS did in Sydney 2000 MD final, making a face of "tears rolling down" to TG/CW.


But how do we classify an action as unsportmanship? KKK knowing a shuttle that's going out, swings and miss on purpose, stares and pump fist at opponent is consider as being flamboyant. Taufik yelling at line judge, walking off court, punching spectator and it's classified as it's his attitude. Where as Lin Dan is classified as cocky and arrogant. Why?

But like Joyous said, we have different rules. One is for our Idol and the other is for the players we hate. When our idol is doing it, it's ok, but if it's the player we dislike, then we'll think totally opposite.

[azabaz_ipoh]

But how do we classify an action as unsportmanship? KKK knowing a shuttle that's going out, swings and miss on purpose, stares and pump fist at opponent is consider as being flamboyant. Taufik yelling at line judge, walking off court, punching spectator and it's classified as it's his attitude. Where as Lin Dan is classified as cocky and arrogant. Why?

But like Joyous said, we have different rules. One is for our Idol and the other is for the players we hate. When our idol is doing it, it's ok, but if it's the player we dislike, then we'll think totally opposite.

KKK swings and miss, whether on purpose, we can never tell for sure. but if he did do it on purpose, i think that is just psychological war. TH yelling at a line judge, now that is not good but a lot of athletes aim their frustration at the judge or referee, not that it is ok mind you. TH walking off the court, i dont agree with that too. TH punching spectator, down that is downright unsportsmanship. however i have not seen enough matches, i dont have pay per view tv, so i might have missed all these incidents. i knew about the walking off court though. it was in hong kong right? i never think TH is very gentlemanly most of the time anyway. he was always the bad boy of badminton. but i guess joyous is right, we all have different set of rules for our idols. that is being discriminate but that is the fact of life. you dont like everybody that you have met in your life. there must be someone you hate a little. so to each his/her own. if you like LD, no matter what other people say, you will still like him. and if you like TH, the same applies. these players are not perfect in real life, they are only perfect in our minds. just enjoy the game. :D and for the record, i would still choose TH over LD but that is just my personal preference and should have no weight on what kind of person LD is in real life. :)