Star Online
Friday July 18, 2008

Chief coach Kim Hock: I have a good feeling for Beijing



KUALA LUMPUR: The 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games bring a gush of fond memories for national chief coach Yap Kim Hock.
With Cheah Soon Kit, he won a silver medal in the men’s doubles badminton and it still remains as the best Malaysian achievement in the Olympics.
“When I look back, one thing stands out. We were confident of our chances of winning a medal even three months before the Games. This helped us to have the psychological edge when we were in Atlanta,” said Kim Hock.
“Our preparation was not only on improving our physical condition, skills and strategies. We continued to drum it into our heads that we would win a medal.
“It was not being over-confident. But the good feeling gave us enough courage to face anyone on court.”
Indonesians Rexy Mainaky-Ricky Subagja beat Kim Hock-Soon Kit to win the gold medal in Atlanta.
“I am happy that the players (gearing up for the Beijing Olympic Games) are also feeling good about their chances. It is important to feel confident,” said Kim Hock.
“We have depth in our Olympic-bound squad this time. I have a good feeling that we are going to nail at least a medal in Beijing.”

************************************************** ********

Personally, I am all for all these 'have good feeling' or 'ready to plunder' thingy and the rest of the hulabula. But I think YKH should have kept things a little under the radar. I mean, last year just before the WC in KL, we had the usual razmatazz but when it came to the competition proper, our shuttlers fall like dominoes at our own backyard. LCW famous tirade against YKH after the WC is well documented.

I mean it is good that we have downplayed the gold to "nail at least a medal in Beijing" but to declare this I feel good factor may put unnecessary pressure on our shuttlers. YKH should take the lesson of last year's WC and not put the cart before the horse again this time round. I dread to think what will happen if we return from Beijing with zero medal/s especially now with a RM1 million carrot being dangled.

Low key, low profile do the business on court. That should be a better approach. Especially when we are playing in LYB's backyard.

My 2sen.

It's a no win situation. If you express your confidence then some folks will still critize and say its better to be more low-key and humble.
If you remain low-key, then other will critize and say the team lack confidences and has no great expectations.

Will be best for the athletes to brush aside the critics and perform at the highest level they can achieve.

PBSI is a bit lower profile this time....1 Gold medal will make me very happy....more than 1 is a really BIG Bonus for INA....

What's confounding is that it's officials (coaches included) and not the actual players who are raising such expectations. (Well, we haven't heard any 'ready to plunder in Beijing' yet from any player :p)

This is, of course, unnecessary and unproductive pressure :o

Maybe YKH doesn't want to see any MAS players to achieve one better than him.

It is absolute right for YKH to say what he did. Imagine going into one of the most important tournaments and saying absolutely zero about confidence.

Firstly, it would not augur well for himself as chief coach. Secondly, players will not feel that there is expectation of them to perform if nothing is said, and just go for a jolly. And of course, most importantly, it does not booster our players with confidence.

Recognise YKH merely said he feels we have a good chance by his 'feeling good'. And he also did explain like I did above that 'it is important to feel confident' else how do you expect to beat your opponents. It is rubbish to say that we will put pressure on the players by what YKH said. There will always be some pressure whether it is the Malaysian team or anything other team, notwithstanding China (the powerhouse).

It is irresponsible to suggest YKH is putting pressure on the players by merely stating his feelings, and that if we come back without the medals, YKH's feeling good would have something to do with it.

Its good to have confidence.. but not over confidence. Or show off confidence. Things will be different when you step onto the arena. So far i think we are doing ok.

Its good to have confidence.. but not over confidence. Or show off confidence. Things will be different when you step onto the arena. So far i think we are doing ok.

Good to know from you that we are doing ok since you are always there - I rather believe you than someone from afar making comments which do not do anything but generate unnecessary questions about the coach's good feeling.

PBSI is a bit lower profile this time....1 Gold medal will make me very happy....more than 1 is a really BIG Bonus for INA....

Yup, that's right! Hope INA gold tradition will be continued in Beijing...

I guess in the Malaysia Boleh context, 'confidence' is something which must be communicated or made known to all. And our shuttlers' confidence can only be boosted by the coach, YKH, calling a press conference and issuing a "I got a good feeling" kinda statement. No press conference = no confidence. And this is considered bad mojo for the chief coach.

Expectations cannot be conveyed in a low key manner to the players. It has to be plastered all over the papers. And we have people then complaining that our players are under too much pressure.

Well, we made a lot of noise before the WC in KL last year. What happened?? Our KKK/TBH declared "We are ready to plunder" just before the AE this year?? What happened?? I mean, if we have learned nothing from these razmatazz, then lets just wait for Beijing. Time will tell.

As for the players not knowing what is expected of them if nothing is said in public, then I am sorry to say, we need to have more intelligent players then.

I like the Koreans. They go about their business quietly. Their players know what is expected of them (no need to have em' expectations printed in the press) and their coach dont need to boost their confidence via the press. LYB's China camp is exceptionally quiet too. I guess China & Korea will do their talking on court. And these guys are the ones who have won the Olympic gold a couple of times. While Malaysia's cabinet is still bare.

What is irresponsible here is the inability to accept a posting that is different than one's own.

:D:D:D
different strategy, different approach.

Pemuda,
good say, good say
how about TC? did you watch the semi-f?

...it doesn't get any more entertaining than for this type of articles to tickle & entertain our Pemuda... ;)

Yup, that's right! Hope INA gold tradition will be continued in Beijing...

Realistically speaking, MD and XD is where INA can snatch the gold.....I can live with a 50% success rate :D.

[...]Secondly, players will not feel that there is expectation of them to perform if nothing is said, and just go for a jolly. And of course, most importantly, it does not booster our players with confidence.

You can't be serious :eek:

If at all a coach needs to say something to boost his wards' morale ahead of such a major event, why would be need the media as his mouthpiece?

Why not just quietly and directly tell the team that much is expected of them?

In any case, I don't think Lee Chong Wei or KKK/TBH will 'go for a jolly' if they aren't told about the need to win!

I don't think the Koreans and China is quiet about their Olympic medal chances. I've spoken to the coaches too, and they also have high expectation and confident that their players will perform well in the Olympic games. Too bad the local medias does not covers them.
Personally i think everyone needs hope and confidence in their lives.

PBSI is a bit lower profile this time....1 Gold medal will make me very happy....more than 1 is a really BIG Bonus for INA....

Yep, I think the chances of INA winning two golds is pretty low, especially since it's supposed to be CHina's Olympics. And that sole gold medal won't come easy either, with the best chances coming from Nova/Lilyana and MK/HS.. SDK's best hope is for a silver. He could possibly beat either LD or LCW on the way to the final, almost certainly not both.

China also expressed their desire to clean sweep at this OG....
LYB is not a quiet guy ...certainly he is not keeping his low profile

You can't be serious :eek:

If at all a coach needs to say something to boost his wards' morale ahead of such a major event, why would be need the media as his mouthpiece?

Why not just quietly and directly tell the team that much is expected of them?

In any case, I don't think Lee Chong Wei or KKK/TBH will 'go for a jolly' if they aren't told about the need to win!

It just so happened the inquisitve media wanted to know how YKH felt and he gave a simple confident vote on the team, and somehow this has been dug at by our famous 'you-know-who' who wants to make it an issue as always. He does not know it but the continuous criticism is easily seen through by all who knows him by now.

In any case, even if he believes we ought to play it quiet, it is his own opinion. In sports, the coaches are now playing it up to boost confidence of their team. I am a great fan of the Aussie SWIM Team and they are all 'rah rah rah' about their team's capabilities. Why feel like we need to keep a low profile when we have to boost confidence. Make it known we are serious about winning medals and get the team all psyched up about winning medals -- and I think judging by the talk around the team this is definitely happening. Everyone is talking about winning medals but none has said anything to suggest overconfidence.

If there is a 'psychology' we can apply is to strike fear into our opponents. Our guys are not doing it by being too loud anyway.So cut the crap.

BTW Oldhand post #14 should be "...players will feel that there is expectation of them to perform....." not ".....will not feel.....". It is wrong to change my wordings. :)

I don't see YKH's remarks as being 'overconfident'.Out of the 6 chances of winning a medal, he reckoned MAS can deliver at least 1, without specifying any colour.That's too modest.My gut feel is MAS will bring back at least 3 medals, but of course I'm a nobody so YKH 's is probably more credible.
The gist of it is YKH recounting his own experience about how he won a silver by having good vibes pre-OLYMPICS.
If one looks at the recent Wimbledon,there were 3 different opinions going into the tournament:
1.Federer: He's confident of his chances but he doubted Nadal would last through to the final without injuries.So Federer was hoping to win, courtesy of Nadal's injury.That's an indirect expression of unconvincing confidence.Nadal won, (perhaps even playing with pain)just in time, before Federer could get lucky with a third rain break.
2.Nadal: Before each match , he would be asked about his chances of winning the title and his answers would be similar.He has worked at what he has control of, ie his match preparations and physical and mental condition, and he will not underestimate his opponents. Most importantly, he takes his match one at a time, to win each and every match as it comes.
3.Djokovic:Novak is in a hurry. He set himself a target of reaching No. 1 by year end. So he MUST win Wimbledon to have a good chance of being no. 1.He looked too far ahead. He reckoned he can beat Federer in SF and Nadal in Final.He underestimated other opponents, esp. Safin, the mercurial, unpredictable performer.Well, Safin looked very fit and motivated so he knocked out ambitious Djokovic but of course it was not enough to last through to the tournament end.

Yep, I think the chances of INA winning two golds is pretty low, especially since it's supposed to be CHina's Olympics. And that sole gold medal won't come easy either, with the best chances coming from Nova/Lilyana and MK/HS.. SDK's best hope is for a silver. He could possibly beat either LD or LCW on the way to the final, almost certainly not both.

ina wd can spring surprise...i believe xd is ina if no unfair thing happen...come on...just believe in TH for the last time...the final time...maybe he also will be in final too...but SDK...hmm...depend to draw...if TH meets ld 1st...i think ld will lose...^^...

China also expressed their desire to clean sweep at this OG....
LYB is not a quiet guy ...certainly he is not keeping his low profile
LYB is a relatively quiet guy now because his confidence about CHN is pitiful.When his A team had to go to a B tournament to have a 'clean sweep' rehearsal,it is the saddest indication of LYB's lack of confidence.
Now his talk has changed to welcoming the competition because it helps raise CHN's standards.Well, CHN's standards has not really gone up much;in some cases, the standard has gone down, hasn't it?
Truth is non-CHN players standard's gone up and that's because of more funding and concerted effort to maximise their players' potential.

If at all a coach needs to say something to boost his wards' morale ahead of such a major event, why would be need the media as his mouthpiece?

Why not just quietly and directly tell the team that much is expected of them?



Errrr, sori Oldhand, that's the same question the media ask & bug all the coaches & officials of OG bound althetes, not just badminton. And YKH's comment is actually tempered down already, you havent read the Chef de Mission's comment (NST, Utusan 6 July 2008) abt Msia having good chance of 1st OG gold thru badminton.:p

YKH's just saying he has confidence in the players' abilities, the players need to believe in themselves (aft comparing his statements from 2 malay language, this one from The Star & 1 from NST, entitled "Self-belief the key") . In the NST & malay press, YKH sound very normal only. Just depends which newspaper one reads.;);)

Rexy also talked positively (Utusan, 18 July 2008) -
"Saya percaya pasangan Malaysia merupakan antara calon untuk memenangi pingat di Beijing. Peluang mereka adalah realistik dan laluan akan lebih jelas selepas undian dibuat (26 Julai ini).I beleive Msia pairs are one of the candidates to win medal in Beijing. Their chances are realistic & the path will be clearer aft the draws are out.:D

We wait & see

You can't be serious :eek:

If at all a coach needs to say something to boost his wards' morale ahead of such a major event, why would be need the media as his mouthpiece?

Why not just quietly and directly tell the team that much is expected of them?

In any case, I don't think Lee Chong Wei or KKK/TBH will 'go for a jolly' if they aren't told about the need to win!

Thats Malaysia Boleh for you. We never learn. We just cant keep a low profile. We gotta roll out that marching band and wake up the entire neighbourhood.

And Australia are world class in swimming. They have numerous Olympic golds and World records. They have the history and track record. As for Malaysia, we have yet to win our 1st Olympic gold nor the WC in badminton.

Unless you count having the world tallest pencil, flagpole, longest hula hooping etc as some form of basis to apply some 'psychology'....

:D:D:D
different strategy, different approach.

Pemuda,
good say, good say
how about TC? did you watch the semi-f?

I did. You still remember our approach and preparations prior to the TC?? ;)

When we talk about Korea & China. We need to be clear that they, Korea & China have a few Olympic gold medals in their respective trophy cabinets. Other than Olympic honours, they have also won the WC.

And I dont think their respective press dont cover them. I believe their head coaches play their cards close to their chests unlike us. We like to show hand, ala Malaysia Boleh style. Glamour la.

From my minimal previous experience when I was playing national junior football. I have observed how the Koreans train. They really take a no nonsense approach. They are tight when it comes to discipline. No distractions, no hanger-ons or whatsoever. Whereas our Malaysian camp was more 'free n easy'. We were allowed handphones, flexible curfew hours and we have a whole bunch of people walking in and out.

Malaysia, having never won the Olympic gold before, I feel for a change, a lower profile approach may sort of allow our shuttlers some breathing space (after all our shuttlers are not known for their temperament).

Hope and confidence dont need to be displayed via a press conference.

China also expressed their desire to clean sweep at this OG....
LYB is not a quiet guy ...certainly he is not keeping his low profile

Open China's trophy cabinet and have a look.

Then open Malaysia's ............... and please having that world tallest pencil & flagpole, biggest roti canai or longest hula hooping dont count.

Sunday July 20, 2008

Star Online

Rashid Sidek throws down gauntlet at Chong Wei

By RAJES PAUL

KUALA LUMPUR: Former national number one Rashid Sidek is tired of being referred to as the only Malaysian to win a men's singles medal in the Olympics.
He has challenged Lee Chong Wei to better the record by reaching the final in the Games in Beijing next month. And Rashid, who won a bronze medal in the 1996 Atlanta Games, believes that Chong Wei has the ability to stand up to the challenges.
“I do not want to be tagged with this record anymore. It was great when I won a bronze medal at that time. It was the country's first singles medal. But it was so long ago,” said Rashid.
http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/7/20/sports/s_pg54rashid.jpg Moment to cherish: This 1996 filepic shows Rashid Sidek showing off his Atlanta Olympics bronze medal to his parents.
“In the last two Olympics (in Sydney and Athens), I did not see any Malaysian player who could be rated a strong contender for a medal. They were good but not convincing enough.
“This time, Chong Wei has earned my respect. He has been consistent and has placed himself as a genuine contender for the medal. This is his best opportunity and I hope he will do better than me.”
Rashid believes that the battles for medals will be among Chong Wei and the Chinese players. China have three players in the fray – world champion Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai and Chen Jin. And the Chinese hopes are high on one of them to emerge as only the second Chinese to win an Olympic men's singles gold medal after Ji Xinpeng in 2000 Sydney.
“Out of the three Chinese, Lin Dan and Chen Jin will be the bigger threats. Other players (from Indonesia, Denmark or South Korea) do not appear to be very convincing, based on their recent performances,” said Rashid.
His only worry is on Chong Wei's ability to handle the pressure during the Games. He remembers Chong Wei getting cold feet during the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur last year, going down to an uncharacteristically tame defeat by Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the third round.
“Chong Wei was one of the favourites during the world championships. There was high expectations on him but he could not handle the situation then,” said Rashid.
“He has learnt much from the bitter defeat. So far, he has been handling himself well in major tournaments (en route to winning the Malaysian and Singapore Opens). Hopefully, he will continue to stay strong mentally in his bid to bring Olympic glory to the country.”

************************************************** *******

Wow!!! Rashid now throw in that bronze medal of his into the hat.:) Rashid mentioned he is especially worried about LCW's ability to handle the pressure, and yet he throw in this gauntlet at LCW. I mean, if you are worried about LCW's mentality, why issue this gauntlet thingy??? And it is only a bronze medal. What if LCW really do freeze in Beijing and come back empty handed? Imagine what this setback will do to LCW???

BTW Oldhand post #14 should be "...players will feel that there is expectation of them to perform....." not ".....will not feel.....". It is wrong to change my wordings. :)

If you're alleging that I changed your wording, that's nonsense.
You need to check your own post before you allege such a thing.

For your convenience, your original post (#6) is reproduced below.
The excerpted portion has been highlighted in red.

I do hope you have no difficulty recognizing your own words.

It is absolute right for YKH to say what he did. Imagine going into one of the most important tournaments and saying absolutely zero about confidence.

Firstly, it would not augur well for himself as chief coach. Secondly, players will not feel that there is expectation of them to perform if nothing is said, and just go for a jolly. And of course, most importantly, it does not booster our players with confidence.

Recognise YKH merely said he feels we have a good chance by his 'feeling good'. And he also did explain like I did above that 'it is important to feel confident' else how do you expect to beat your opponents. It is rubbish to say that we will put pressure on the players by what YKH said. There will always be some pressure whether it is the Malaysian team or anything other team, notwithstanding China (the powerhouse).

It is irresponsible to suggest YKH is putting pressure on the players by merely stating his feelings, and that if we come back without the medals, YKH's feeling good would have something to do with it.

Sunday July 20, 2008

Star Online

Rashid Sidek throws down gauntlet at Chong Wei

By RAJES PAUL

KUALA LUMPUR: Former national number one Rashid Sidek is tired of being referred to as the only Malaysian to win a men's singles medal in the Olympics.
He has challenged Lee Chong Wei to better the record by reaching the final in the Games in Beijing next month. And Rashid, who won a bronze medal in the 1996 Atlanta Games, believes that Chong Wei has the ability to stand up to the challenges.
“I do not want to be tagged with this record anymore. It was great when I won a bronze medal at that time. It was the country's first singles medal. But it was so long ago,” said Rashid.
http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/7/20/sports/s_pg54rashid.jpg Moment to cherish: This 1996 filepic shows Rashid Sidek showing off his Atlanta Olympics bronze medal to his parents.
“In the last two Olympics (in Sydney and Athens), I did not see any Malaysian player who could be rated a strong contender for a medal. They were good but not convincing enough.
“This time, Chong Wei has earned my respect. He has been consistent and has placed himself as a genuine contender for the medal. This is his best opportunity and I hope he will do better than me.”
Rashid believes that the battles for medals will be among Chong Wei and the Chinese players. China have three players in the fray – world champion Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai and Chen Jin. And the Chinese hopes are high on one of them to emerge as only the second Chinese to win an Olympic men's singles gold medal after Ji Xinpeng in 2000 Sydney.
“Out of the three Chinese, Lin Dan and Chen Jin will be the bigger threats. Other players (from Indonesia, Denmark or South Korea) do not appear to be very convincing, based on their recent performances,” said Rashid.
His only worry is on Chong Wei's ability to handle the pressure during the Games. He remembers Chong Wei getting cold feet during the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur last year, going down to an uncharacteristically tame defeat by Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the third round.
“Chong Wei was one of the favourites during the world championships. There was high expectations on him but he could not handle the situation then,” said Rashid.
“He has learnt much from the bitter defeat. So far, he has been handling himself well in major tournaments (en route to winning the Malaysian and Singapore Opens). Hopefully, he will continue to stay strong mentally in his bid to bring Olympic glory to the country.”

************************************************** *******

Wow!!! Rashid now throw in that bronze medal of his into the hat.:) Rashid mentioned he is especially worried about LCW's ability to handle the pressure, and yet he throw in this gauntlet at LCW. I mean, if you are worried about LCW's mentality, why issue this gauntlet thingy??? And it is only a bronze medal. What if LCW really do freeze in Beijing and come back empty handed? Imagine what this setback will do to LCW???

WOW Rashid does not think Korean or INA players posing big threats:rolleyes::rolleyes:
Hm..last time no one predicted him to win a bronze...;)

If you're alleging that I changed your wording, that's nonsense.
You need to check your own post before you allege such a thing.

For your convenience, your original post (#6) is reproduced below.
The excerpted portion has been highlighted in red.

I do hope you have no difficulty recognizing your own words.

Sorry. You are right. :D

Errrr, sori Oldhand, that's the same question the media ask & bug all the coaches & officials of OG bound althetes, not just badminton. And YKH's comment is actually tempered down already, you havent read the Chef de Mission's comment (NST, Utusan 6 July 2008) abt Msia having good chance of 1st OG gold thru badminton.:p

YKH's just saying he has confidence in the players' abilities, the players need to believe in themselves (aft comparing his statements from 2 malay language, this one from The Star & 1 from NST, entitled "Self-belief the key") . In the NST & malay press, YKH sound very normal only. Just depends which newspaper one reads.;);)

Rexy also talked positively (Utusan, 18 July 2008) -
"Saya percaya pasangan Malaysia merupakan antara calon untuk memenangi pingat di Beijing. Peluang mereka adalah realistik dan laluan akan lebih jelas selepas undian dibuat (26 Julai ini).I beleive Msia pairs are one of the candidates to win medal in Beijing. Their chances are realistic & the path will be clearer aft the draws are out.:D

We wait & see

It is the Olympics.
We are playing in China.
Our away track record aint that great, infact it is poor.

I believe it would have been better had our YKH & that Chef de Mission issued the following comments instead:

- "The Chinese shuttlers with homeground advantage will be tough to beat"
- "LYB is not only a good coach, he is also a master strategist"
- "The Koreans & Indonesians are favourites in the MD"

AFP - Thursday, July 17
KUALA LUMPUR, July 17, 2008 (AFP) - Malaysia's best medal hope at the Beijing Olympics, badminton star Lee Chong Wei, is primed to upset China's world number Lin Dan on home soil and win gold.
The world number two, boosted by beating Lin at the recent Thomas Cup tournament, plans to make the most of his trip to China.
"We shouldn't be thinking about getting a second chance when we are talking about the Olympics," he told the New Straits Times.
"This special event is held once every four years and that second opportunity may never come."
Now 26, Chong Wei is one of the world's most consistent performers and he wants to make amends for his crushing defeat by Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the third round of the world championships last year.
While Lin will be his main threat, he is also wary of players such as South Koreans Lee Hyun-Il and Park Sung-Hwan, Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand, and defending Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia.
The pressure is building but he feels he can cope.
"A player is lying if he says there is no pressure. We are talking about winning an Olympic medal and the pressure will be greater in Beijing," he said.
"Having said that, any player from the top eight of the world rankings is good enough to win a medal and I need to remain focused from the first round to be in the running."
His coach Misbun Sidek said Chong Wei's confidence had been restored since his crushing disappointment at last year's worlds in Malaysia.
"He is coping well with the expectations that come with being rated as Malaysia's medal hope in the Olympics," he told The Star newspaper.
"He is more relaxed about it compared to previously when he tended to get agitated easily and lose focus.
"In the past, he would be afraid of certain players but he now talks with confidence on how he can beat them."
Malaysia's Beijing-bound badminton squad have been training individually but will join up from Monday for final preparations.

************************************************** ********


Malaysia this time sure 100% boleh.

It is the Olympics.

I believe it would have been better had our YKH & that Chef de Mission issued the following comments instead:

- "The Chinese shuttlers with homeground advantage will be tough to beat"
- "LYB is not only a good coach, he is also a master strategist"
- "The Koreans & Indonesians are favourites in the MD"

I kind of like this 'diplomatic' approach as it hurts nobody but at the same time not demeaning one's own abilities and confidence. :)

Yes indeed the professional players will know what its required of them during the Games. That's why they are training very hard to achieve their goal. To announce loudly to the world that they will win the gold medal, when they have never won before, is foolhardy no matter how well-prepared their players are! Just a matter of different opinion. ;)

It's becoming a personal chat session.
Increasingly volatile as well.

9 posts deleted.
No more, I hope :)

AFP - Thursday, July 17
KUALA LUMPUR, July 17, 2008 (AFP) - Malaysia's best medal hope at the Beijing Olympics, badminton star Lee Chong Wei, is primed to upset China's world number Lin Dan on home soil and win gold.
The world number two, boosted by beating Lin at the recent Thomas Cup tournament, plans to make the most of his trip to China.
"We shouldn't be thinking about getting a second chance when we are talking about the Olympics," he told the New Straits Times.
"This special event is held once every four years and that second opportunity may never come."
Now 26, Chong Wei is one of the world's most consistent performers and he wants to make amends for his crushing defeat by Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the third round of the world championships last year.
While Lin will be his main threat, he is also wary of players such as South Koreans Lee Hyun-Il and Park Sung-Hwan, Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand, and defending Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia.
The pressure is building but he feels he can cope.
"A player is lying if he says there is no pressure. We are talking about winning an Olympic medal and the pressure will be greater in Beijing," he said.
"Having said that, any player from the top eight of the world rankings is good enough to win a medal and I need to remain focused from the first round to be in the running."
His coach Misbun Sidek said Chong Wei's confidence had been restored since his crushing disappointment at last year's worlds in Malaysia.
"He is coping well with the expectations that come with being rated as Malaysia's medal hope in the Olympics," he told The Star newspaper.
"He is more relaxed about it compared to previously when he tended to get agitated easily and lose focus.
"In the past, he would be afraid of certain players but he now talks with confidence on how he can beat them."
Malaysia's Beijing-bound badminton squad have been training individually but will join up from Monday for final preparations.

************************************************** ********


Malaysia this time sure 100% boleh.

I just love how the media remembers that LCW defeated Lin Dan in their most recent meeting, but forget about LCW recent "defeats" to both Bao(China open07) and Chen Jin(All England08).

Yeah... like the OG only has 2 entrys for Mens Singles...:rolleyes:
Makes me laugh even harder when they think Boonsak is more of a threat to LCW than the two players(listed above) who just recently defeated LCW.:confused::eek::eek::eek:

If I were LCW, I would begin to think of a person as scape goat to avoid the blame of the entire country with all these sort of media build ups.
Ideal canadiates: yup, you got that right, his coach Misbun, or head coach Yip(yet again)...or the best one...Li Yongbo

It's becoming a personal chat session.
Increasingly volatile as well.

9 posts deleted.
No more, I hope :)
hmm..part of your plan for the 1.000.000 posts thingy.??:rolleyes::rolleyes::mad::cool::cool::coo l::cool::p:p:p:p
hahha..juz joking:D

hmm..part of your plan for the 1.000.000 posts thingy.??:rolleyes::rolleyes::mad::cool::cool::coo l::cool::p:p:p:p
hahha..juz joking:D

Yes deleting all ours to promote his own.:D

Yeah... like the OG only has 2 entrys for Mens Singles...:rolleyes:

If I were LCW, I would begin to think of a person as scape goat to avoid the blame of the entire country with all these sort of media build ups.
Ideal canadiates: yup, you got that right, his coach Misbun, or head coach Yip(yet again)...or the best one...Li Yongbo


I like the last part "..Li Yongbo.." i.e if you meant breaking the legs...ha...ha..
You're really one 'sarcastically' humorous fella...well at least you're humorous and down to earth. As you can see, they are plenty of B'cers who can be quite warped in their views.

hmm..part of your plan for the 1.000.000 posts thingy.??:rolleyes::rolleyes::mad::cool::cool::coo l::cool::p:p:p:p
hahha..juz joking:D

Yes deleting all ours to promote his own.:D

For every deleted post, we can count on you guys to post a dozen new ones :p
That million isn't too far away now!

I just love how the media remembers that LCW defeated Lin Dan in their most recent meeting, but forget about LCW recent "defeats" to both Bao(China open07) and Chen Jin(All England08).

Yeah... like the OG only has 2 entrys for Mens Singles...:rolleyes:
Makes me laugh even harder when they think Boonsak is more of a threat to LCW than the two players(listed above) who just recently defeated LCW.:confused::eek::eek::eek:

If I were LCW, I would begin to think of a person as scape goat to avoid the blame of the entire country with all these sort of media build ups.
Ideal canadiates: yup, you got that right, his coach Misbun, or head coach Yip(yet again)...or the best one...Li Yongbo

The expectations (from the coaches, the officials, the media and the fans) are now rolling in, as if off an assembly line. Should he fail to strike gold, Lee Chong Wei will finally find that the only scapegoat available is himself. Those who built Mt. Expectation will then be lining up with cries of 'lynch him' ;)

I'm already beginning to fear for his chances :(

The expectations (from the coaches, the officials, the media and the fans) are now rolling in, as if off an assembly line. Should he fail to strike gold, Lee Chong Wei will finally find that the only scapegoat available is himself. Those who built Mt. Expectation will then be lining up with cries of 'lynch him' ;)

I'm already beginning to fear for his chances :(

You forgot something -- if he loses, you will have a huge amount of work to do. Imagine "You Know Who" getting into the "I told you so" and inciting everyone to response. I would not want to be in your shoes.:D

As i post... there are some Malaysians that don't want our players do well in the Olympics. They don't even want us to get the Gold in Badminton.

As i post... there are some Malaysians that don't want our players do well in the Olympics. They don't even want us to get the Gold in Badminton.


And why you would ask - after all they are Malaysians ? And they would argue like LCW has not got a chance in the world. At least, a true Malaysian would say "I think he has got a chance given his recent form". Do I need to go on, you wonder ?

What's their expectation, then?

What's their expectation, then?

They got no expectations - so it is easy to cast aspersion against the players.

As i post... there are some Malaysians that don't want our players do well in the Olympics. They don't even want us to get the Gold in Badminton.
they juz cant accept the fact that MAS has a good chace to win gold tis time..hmm..let it be so..:rolleyes::rolleyes:
wonder what will happen if mas really wins a gold medal and show them.:rolleyes::rolleyes::)

mas can have a gold in archery and bike racing too

mas can have a gold in archery and bike racing too
Off topic :
LOL, my bro, not gold lah, track cycling & archery are supposed to be outside chance for medal of any colour (i.e. bronze), based on recent good performance. Cycling =2008 Asia Champ for 2 events, archery =runner-up in 2008 World Champ.

In media build up cycling is seen as having higher chance than archery, with the usual round of interviews.

Off topic :
LOL, my bro, not gold lah, track cycling & archery are supposed to be outside chance for medal of any colour (i.e. bronze), based on recent good performance. Cycling =2008 Asia Champ for 2 events, archery =runner-up in 2008 World Champ.

In media build up cycling is seen as having higher chance than archery, with the usual round of interviews.

if them grab gold...kak belanja me when i go MO 2009...:p

based on the MOM or NSC expectation, they expect the athletes who are gonna participate in the OG08..they expect 4 gold medals..
they believe malaysia had good chances to get gold especially in sports such as badminton, track cycling, taekwando, and 1 more sport i forgot!.

based on the MOM or NSC expectation, they expect the athletes who are gonna participate in the OG08..they expect 4 gold medals..
they believe malaysia had good chances to get gold especially in sports such as badminton, track cycling, taekwando, and 1 more sport i forgot!.

Remember they are human beings too. And being human, they also have their fair share of "errors of judgement" from time to time. They thought by publicising this, their athletes' confidence will soar and reward them accordingly ... with gold medals...hopefully! :cool:

talk less, do more...................we do not want NATO here......

talk less, do more...................we do not want NATO here......
:D:D:D
one of my quotes..........:p:D:p:D

Tuesday July 22, 2008

Badminton: Kim Hock tells shuttlers to be prepared for hostile atmosphere

KUALA LUMPUR: China have sounded their intention to make a clean sweep of the five badminton gold medals at stake in the Beijing Olympics. And their opponents can expect an unfriendly atmosphere when they play against Chinese shuttlers.
Malaysian Olympic-bound shuttlers assembled for centralised training at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday but national chief coach Yap Kim Hock said that they had no plans to have simulation matches.
“We (the coaches) have discussed it but we felt it was not necessary because it is not a team competition. Moreover, all the players have had experience playing and doing well in China,” he said.
“It is also difficult to get a crowd to create the simulated atmosphere. We also do not know the conditions at the competition venue until we arrive there.”
The Olympic badminton competitions begin on Aug 9 and the Malaysian shuttlers will leave on Aug 5.
“We have made a request to the organisers to train at the competition venue from Aug 6 but they have yet to get back to us,” said Kim Hock.
“We have already made court bookings at an alternative venue in case we do not get to train at the competition venue immediately after we arrive.
“There is plenty of time because the players will not be playing everyday as each individual round is spread out over at least two days.”


from: http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2008/7/22/sports/21880336&sec=sports


unfriendly....?
:D:D:D

I did. You still remember our approach and preparations prior to the TC?? ;)
during semi-f TC2008
i do remember there are few uncles (pakcik) sitting in the box. wonder why and what is their purposes to be there?? :confused:

i read this, today morning
Tuesday July 22, 2008

Give badminton hero due credit, say MPs


http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/7/22/nation/n_pg12teoh.jpg Teoh as he is now.
IPOH: Even before independence, one man who put Malaya on the world map was Teoh Seng Khoon who helped the Thomas Cup team win its inaugural competition in 1949.
Teoh, now 90 years old, played for the love of the game and his unwavering patriotic spirit for the country pushed him and his team-mates to crush a Danish team.
Recalling the victory, Teoh said: “We had a re-match with the Danes who were unhappy that they lost to us.”
Stressing that the victory was not a “fluke shot”, Teoh said the Malaya badminton team won with a six-to-one score.
Speaking at a press conference organised by Ipoh Timor MP Lim Kit Siang and Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran yesterday, Teoh said he and his team had to play exhibition matches to collect public donation that paid for their trip to London in 1948.
“We travelled for three weeks in a ship to get to our destination,” said Teoh, a former journalist with Straits Echo.
Teoh partnered Ong Poh Lim for the doubles.
The other team members were Ooi Teik Hock, Wong Peng Soon, Law Teik Hock, Lim Kee Fong, Yeoh Teck Chye, Seah Eng Hee and Chan Kon Leong.
Earlier, Kit Siang said all sportsmen and sportswomen should be given proper recognition for their contribution to the country.
Kulasegaran said the DAP hoped Teoh would be given an award for having brought fame to Malaya.


from: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/22/nation/21880208&sec=nation

:(

Tuesday July 22, 2008

Badminton: Kim Hock tells shuttlers to be prepared for hostile atmosphere

KUALA LUMPUR: China have sounded their intention to make a clean sweep of the five badminton gold medals at stake in the Beijing Olympics. And their opponents can expect an unfriendly atmosphere when they play against Chinese shuttlers.
Malaysian Olympic-bound shuttlers assembled for centralised training at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday but national chief coach Yap Kim Hock said that they had no plans to have simulation matches.
“We (the coaches) have discussed it but we felt it was not necessary because it is not a team competition. Moreover, all the players have had experience playing and doing well in China,” he said.
“It is also difficult to get a crowd to create the simulated atmosphere. We also do not know the conditions at the competition venue until we arrive there.”
The Olympic badminton competitions begin on Aug 9 and the Malaysian shuttlers will leave on Aug 5.
“We have made a request to the organisers to train at the competition venue from Aug 6 but they have yet to get back to us,” said Kim Hock.
“We have already made court bookings at an alternative venue in case we do not get to train at the competition venue immediately after we arrive.
“There is plenty of time because the players will not be playing everyday as each individual round is spread out over at least two days.”


from: http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2008/7/22/sports/21880336&sec=sports


unfriendly....?
:D:D:D
The perfect word should be 'smelly' but of course YKH cannot say that.

I kind of like this 'diplomatic' approach as it hurts nobody but at the same time not demeaning one's own abilities and confidence. :)

Yes indeed the professional players will know what its required of them during the Games. That's why they are training very hard to achieve their goal. To announce loudly to the world that they will win the gold medal, when they have never won before, is foolhardy no matter how well-prepared their players are! Just a matter of different opinion. ;)
I suggest you check the original source of claim. YKH never said about gold. As for chef de mission, well ,their job is to make small tea talk. That's why,through practice, they come out sounding like airheads.

As i post... there are some Malaysians that don't want our players do well in the Olympics. They don't even want us to get the Gold in Badminton.
You mean the football failure one who sounds like eternal sour grapes?There's something new in his regurgitated posts.He's introduced the element of 'luck' in winning;in case gold comes MAS way, then it will be because of 'luck'.

I suggest you check the original source of claim. YKH never said about gold. As for chef de mission, well ,their job is to make small tea talk. That's why,through practice, they come out sounding like airheads.

Of course YKH never made such a claim about gold and I thought he did the right thing. Nevertheless he is confident of a medal, whatever the colour and I thought Malaysia deserves at least one, whether it is from LCW or KKK/TBH or the "uncles".

That's the reason why I held out YKH as an example (to be modest) to those who made 'wild' claims yet unsubstantiated. ;)

based on the MOM or NSC expectation, they expect the athletes who are gonna participate in the OG08..they expect 4 gold medals..
they believe malaysia had good chances to get gold especially in sports such as badminton, track cycling, taekwando, and 1 more sport i forgot!.

George, really kah? chinese press got say meh? Quotes from officials, etc, etc Eng & Malay press didnt say like that at all. The 1 more sport is Archery

George, really kah? chinese press got say meh? Quotes from officials, etc, etc Eng & Malay press didnt say like that at all. The 1 more sport is Archery
ya..saw it on bernama news yesterday.:):cool:
wow, how did u know that 1 more sport is archery 1?
u also got watched yesterday?:)

You mean the football failure one who sounds like eternal sour grapes?There's something new in his regurgitated posts.He's introduced the element of 'luck' in winning;in case gold comes MAS way, then it will be because of 'luck'.

"Football failure"?? Must have hit a raw nerve to generate such a response. ;) Anyway, 3 years of national juniors and then walking away for a degree from RMIT, I take your "football failure" label anyday :D

... by the way, you ever represented your country in any organised sport?? Playing Championship Manager over the PC dont count ... by the way.

You know, it is so funny. Infact I put it beyond comical.

My thread "Maybe a lower profile approach would be better" is straight forward. Infact I believe an 8 year old will understand. My thread did not say I dont want our shuttlers to do well in Beijing. It certainly did not say I dont want us to win that gold. As such, it is beyond me how some would spin it around by twisting and manipulating that I dont want us to do well or win the gold in Beijing.

I will reiterate my stand again, I still believe the best approach for us is to take the low key rather than the usual razzmatazz Malaysia Boleh marching band approach. And I add, it will also help the Malaysian camp if BAM weed out the hanger-ons, freeloaders, politicians or their wanna be lackeys from the shuttlers' training camp etc.

The expectations (from the coaches, the officials, the media and the fans) are now rolling in, as if off an assembly line. Should he fail to strike gold, Lee Chong Wei will finally find that the only scapegoat available is himself. Those who built Mt. Expectation will then be lining up with cries of 'lynch him' ;)

I'm already beginning to fear for his chances :(

The expectations are indeed building. And it is sad that we are not willing to learn from past mistakes. Last year just before the WC, BAM & YKH etc were all playing up LCW's chances so much so that the poor guy totally broke down. But did we learn anything from this unfortunate episode?? No. In Bolehland, we must have the 'ra ra' approach. And to question that boleh 'ra ra' approach you are considered 'not a Malaysian!', 'dont want Malaysia to win gold!', 'failure in life' etc.

Even though LCW is world#2, his record in major tournaments like the AE is very poor. He has never made the final. Likewise for the WC. But I guess once you are on that Boleh bandwagon, you are unable to see all that, nor the fact that the Olympics are held in China.

I want Malaysia to do well but I feel a low key approach will be a smarter move.

wonder what will happen if mas really wins a gold medal and show them.:rolleyes::rolleyes::)

If MAS do win the gold, I hope we wont have the usual over the top celebrations with the politicians and their entourage jumping on the bandwagon ala our last Thomas Cup win. You do know what happened to our badminton and shuttlers after that Thomas Cup win, eh??

If we do win, the key would be to build on it so that we can repeat such success, not the usual Boleh manner - win one big tournament, celebrate like hell, players get big headed and things go downhill.

Long term. Elementary enough?? ;)

based on the MOM or NSC expectation, they expect the athletes who are gonna participate in the OG08..they expect 4 gold medals..
they believe malaysia had good chances to get gold especially in sports such as badminton, track cycling, taekwando, and 1 more sport i forgot!.

Hello there! We are talking about the Olympics la. Not Sea games.

Hello there! We are talking about the Olympics la. Not Sea games.

if they does...pemuda need to belanja me stay at his home 1 month...haha

And what is this 'belanja' thingy?
What language is it?

And what is this 'belanja' thingy?
What language is it?
hehehe...... :D
is Malaysia Language
belanja me dinner = spend me a dinner
belanja me stay = stay for free
no belanja me = not buying me a nice nice dinner

A free treat, eh? :rolleyes:
Seems limsy is always looking for one.

ya..saw it on bernama news yesterday.:):cool:
wow, how did u know that 1 more sport is archery 1?
u also got watched yesterday?:)
Non baddy, sorry :
hiyaa, read my reply to Limsy on pg 3. So many times they say already but not gold lah, just medal, i.e. bronze also counted. Best chance supposed to be = badminton. 2nd = track cycling 3rd = archery.

Cycling cos they won 3 events in 2008 Asia Champ in April, the guy who's going to be the flag bearer won 2. Archery cos they got runner up in 2008 World Champ.

Taekwando, only 1 person mention, the Sec Gen of MOM.... I cant quite figure out why.....hmmm
_____________________________________
Oldhand, yup our Limsy looking for us to give him free meals, if Msia OG wins gold, he he

A free treat, eh? :rolleyes:
Seems limsy is always looking for one.

haha...my uncle oldhand...i am poor...no money lar...:crying:

hehehe...... :D
is Malaysia Language
belanja me dinner = spend me a dinner
belanja me stay = stay for free
no belanja me = not buying me a nice nice dinner

thanks...^^...hehe

Oldhand, yup our Limsy looking for us to give him free meals, if Msia OG wins gold, he he[/COLOR]

haha...remember ya...^^...

haha...my uncle oldhand...i am poor...no money lar...:crying:

haha...remember ya...^^...
breakfast = "tim sum"
lunch = "bak kut teh"
dinner = medium rare beef steak
how about that?

breakfast = "tim sum"
lunch = "bak kut teh"
dinner = medium rare beef steak
how about that?

i can eat bak kut teh+ 2 bowl rice+others+drinks at 1 meal...^^...

erm...i prefer othr thing like...erm...pizza?no...kfc???no...McD???no...my mum cook is better...^^...haha...but still...i miss pizza/McD/kfc...:D

i can eat bak kut teh+ 2 bowl rice+others+drinks at 1 meal...^^...

erm...i prefer othr thing like...erm...pizza?no...kfc???no...McD???no...my mum cook is better...^^...haha...but still...i miss pizza/McD/kfc...:D
fast food preferred.......?
we are swaying into food instead of the thread title :D:D:D

now, everybody come back!!!

fast food preferred.......?
we are swaying into food instead of the thread title :D:D:D

now, everybody come back!!!

ya...i am keeping a low profile until mas win a gold...haha

if they does...pemuda need to belanja me stay at his home 1 month...haha

If Malaysia do indeed win gold in cycling and archery, it will be the greatest surprise of all times. This is the Olympics not Sukma or Sea Games.

breakfast = "tim sum"
lunch = "bak kut teh"
dinner = medium rare beef steak
how about that?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner = badminton lah! :cool::cool::cool:
Sorry, supper also, i.e. after midnight badminton!

Hello there! We are talking about the Olympics la. Not Sea games.
hello..:D
that u shud ask the MOM and NSC..not me..sorry..:rolleyes::rolleyes::p

PBSI is a bit lower profile this time....1 Gold medal will make me very happy....more than 1 is a really BIG Bonus for INA....

1 gold = MX
2 gold = MX , MD
3 gold = MX, MD, MS
4 gold = MX, MD, MS, WD
5 gold = All

1 gold = MX
2 gold = MX , MD
3 gold = MX, MD, MS
4 gold = MX, MD, MS, WD
5 gold = All
Indra, you take 2, we take 3, can?:D

1 gold = MX
2 gold = MX , MD
3 gold = MX, MD, MS
4 gold = MX, MD, MS, WD
5 gold = All

Indra, you take 2, we take 3, can?:D

we want ms,ws and md...wd and xd for ina...ok???deal???:D

we want ms,ws and md...wd and xd for ina...ok???deal???:D
You sure you don't include Li Yongbo in this deal?:p

You sure you don't include Li Yongbo in this deal?:p

To be fair each country gets one title: INA, MAS, KOR, DEN & CHN. :p;):rolleyes:

Please pick which title you want. :D:D:D

we want ms,ws and md...wd and xd for ina...ok???deal???:D
little bro, you got me right.............:D

I will be happy if i can get HALF. :p

You sure you don't include Li Yongbo in this deal?:p

erm...honestly...ws for denmark...

To be fair each country gets one title: INA, MAS, KOR, DEN & CHN. :p;):rolleyes:

Please pick which title you want. :D:D:D

ms:mas
ws:dane
md:korea
wd:china
xd:ina

fair enough?

little bro, you got me right.............:D

haha...but i dont think wmc can defeat tine

I will be happy if i can get HALF. :p

ants patnering who in xd for mas???haha...:D:p

As usual, inflammatory posts have been sent away.
25 posts (and so much time) wasted :(

Bookies of the illegal sort, outrageous entreaties to shut up and nicknames have all disappeared. So have other posts referring to or quoting the deleted posts. (Pemuda, you might want to re-post that article from The Star).

Well, Topic Boleh :)

As usual, inflammatory posts have been sent away.
25 posts (and so much time) wasted :(

Bookies of the illegal sort, outrageous entreaties to shut up and nicknames have all disappeared. So have other posts referring to or quoting the deleted posts. (Pemuda, you might want to re-post that article from The Star).

Well, Topic Boleh :)

Boss,

I have been good and stayed out of trouble. In your effort to restore order, your nuclear bomb wiped out my article from The Star.

:p

...
(Pemuda, you might want to re-post that article from The Star).

Well, Topic Boleh :)
Boss,

I have been good and stayed out of trouble. In your effort to restore order, your nuclear bomb wiped out my article from The Star.

:p
...Pemuda's news article was also posted by our george@chongwei, last night, in this thread:
http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56655&page=2
:cool:

erm, chris..which article u mean??
the choong tan fook`s 1??
haiya..your watch spoil already is it??:D
i posted that article juz 2day...afternoon!:)

:)..about CTF....not spoiled lah, it's not even 12 hrs old, yet..;)
And oh yes, your afternoon, but here in North America, it was last night (note the time of your post).:p ;)

...Pemuda's news article was also posted by our george@chongwei, last night, in this thread:
http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56655&page=2
:cool:

Yawn ........... next?

Boss,

I have been good and stayed out of trouble. In your effort to restore order, your nuclear bomb wiped out my article from The Star.

:p

Although it contained an article from The Star, your post was deleted because you began with a reference to an alternative name for george (which he didn't find too amusing) :rolleyes:

That's why I suggested you repost that article :)

Once again... topic boleh ;)

If it helps, here's that article (http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=928496&postcount=23) :)

I guess in the Malaysia Boleh context, 'confidence' is something which must be communicated or made known to all. And our shuttlers' confidence can only be boosted by the coach, YKH, calling a press conference and issuing a "I got a good feeling" kinda statement. No press conference = no confidence. And this is considered bad mojo for the chief coach.

Expectations cannot be conveyed in a low key manner to the players. It has to be plastered all over the papers. And we have people then complaining that our players are under too much pressure.

Well, we made a lot of noise before the WC in KL last year. What happened?? Our KKK/TBH declared "We are ready to plunder" just before the AE this year?? What happened?? I mean, if we have learned nothing from these razmatazz, then lets just wait for Beijing. Time will tell.

As for the players not knowing what is expected of them if nothing is said in public, then I am sorry to say, we need to have more intelligent players then.

I like the Koreans. They go about their business quietly. Their players know what is expected of them (no need to have em' expectations printed in the press) and their coach dont need to boost their confidence via the press. LYB's China camp is exceptionally quiet too. I guess China & Korea will do their talking on court. And these guys are the ones who have won the Olympic gold a couple of times. While Malaysia's cabinet is still bare.

What is irresponsible here is the inability to accept a posting that is different than one's own.

With the MAlaysian press article, the Chinese coach now talks about 3 GOLDs at the minimum. There goes your credibilty that they let their talking on the court. As always I find you very shallow but I guess you will come back with more of that kind of posting.

With the MAlaysian press article, the Chinese coach now talks about 3 GOLDs at the minimum. There goes your credibilty that they let their talking on the court. As always I find you very shallow but I guess you will come back with more of that kind of posting.

Ahh ... you are back.

Now, now before you run your mouth off with regards to my 'credibility' and your personal opinion of me, allow me to remind you that China, todate has won 8 Olympic gold medals in badminton since badminton made its debut in the 92 games. They have the track record. Now, how many gold medals have Msia won in badminton? Do the math, dude. It is pretty self explanatory.

If you think I am shallow, ahh well, whats new from you, eh?

HOME GROUND DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD FOR CHINESE SHUTTLERS, SAYS COACH

http://sg.yimg.com/i/my/search/bernama_logo.gif?x=74&y=32&sig=b3Qd_ZLiKxiy1sQfofzEnA-- (http://mys.rd.yahoo.com/partners/bernama/SIG=117o0k5d4/**http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bernamamedia.com%2F)
By Tham Choy Lin Bernama - Thursday, July 24 BEIJING, July 24 (Bernama) – The home advantage is a "double-edged sword" for China's badminton team, said head coach Li Yongbo whose players face the task of grabbing all five gold at stake in the Olympic Games here, next month.
No country has achieved a clean sweep of the top honours since badminton made its debut in the 1992 Games in Barcelona.
Hopes are mounting on top men's singles Lin Dan and the rest of the team including his girlfriend, Xie Xingfang in the singles.
But Li admits that the home advantage could spell huge pressure on his players.
"It is a double-edged sword. It depends on how players handle it and their own mental strength," he was quoted as saying by Xinhua News Agency.

************************************************** ******

What a contrast, China with a total 8 Olympic gold medals in badminton 'feeling the heat' despite the homeground advantage.

As usual, inflammatory posts have been sent away.
25 posts (and so much time) wasted :(

Bookies of the illegal sort, outrageous entreaties to shut up and nicknames have all disappeared. So have other posts referring to or quoting the deleted posts. (Pemuda, you might want to re-post that article from The Star).

Well, Topic Boleh :)
Wow, you've been busy :D:D. Good thing eagle didnt post any articles from the malay language press, that'll be another 50 posts ;)

erm, chris..which article u mean??
the choong tan fook`s 1??
haiya..your watch spoil already is it??:D
i posted that article juz 2day...afternoon!:)

George ah, work harder mah. Collect also articles from NST & Malay Mail, he he. For OG 2008, this job give to you.:p

Ah, well... more posts deleted ;)
Folks, keep the personal out of this.

Star Online

Friday August 1, 2008

Kien Keat has inked the word glory on his arm to remind him of mission in Beijing

By RAJES PAUL

KUALA LUMPUR: National doubles specialist Koo Kien Keat has a scar on his right hand – no thanks to a freak accident last month.
Now, there’s another 'scar’ on his left hand – a tattoo with the world “glory” – to remind him to fight against the odds and win honours for the country at the Beijing Olympic Games.
The stylish Kien Keat will be featuring in his first Olympic Games with Tan Boon Heong and hopes are high that the duo can make a difference for Malaysia in the men’s doubles event.
Kien Keat said that he tattooed the word “glory” on the inside of his upper left hand to motivate himself to stand up to the tough challenges ahead in the Olympics.
“I put a lot of thought in choosing this word – glory. Right now, I want glory more than money or anything else,” said Kien Keat after a training session at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/8/1/olympics/s_pg83shaun.jpg On a mission: Koo Kien Keat working out with physical trainer Shaun Sturgess at the Bukit Jalil Gymnasium Thursday. He has tattooed the word ‘Glory’ on his arm to remind him of his task in Beijing – and that is to bring glory to the country.
“Some people may look at this negatively and may even tease me if I do not bring back glory to the country. But to me, this word will remind me not to give up under any circumstances.”
This year has not really been smooth sailing for the 23-year-old Kien Keat.
He and Boon Heong failed to defend three major titles this year – in the Malaysian Open, All-England and Swiss Open.
Their partnership also hit a rocky patch for a while.
And last month, his Olympic dream was almost shattered when he suffered injuries to his right hand and right leg after a glass panel he was leaning on gave away at Bukit Jalil.
Though his injuries have healed completely, there is a scar on his hand that serves as a reminder of the ugly incident.
“I am happy that things are back in order for me,” he said.
“The last two weeks have been great for Boon Heong and me. My coach (Rexy Mainaky) has been very supportive. Whenever we are down, Rexy is always there to lift us up with encouraging words.”
The Olympic Games’ first round draw for the men’s doubles has thrown up some interesting match-ups.
And Kien Keat has promised to give his best with Boon Heong when they take on Japan’s Shuichi Sakamoto-Shintaro Ikeda in the first round.
The Malaysians have lost to the Japanese pair in their last two meetings.
Besides the 2006 Asian Games gold medallists Kien Keat-Boon Heong, the other Malaysian doubles representatives are Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah.
Malaysia have won three medals in the Olympic series thus far – all from badminton. The medallists are Razif-Jalani Sidek (doubles bronze at Barcelona 1992), Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock (doubles silver at Atlanta 1996 Atlanta) and Rashid Sidek (singles bronze at Atlanta 1996).

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I like how they described KKK - 'stylish'. Well, the lad is serious this time about taking the gold in Beijing with TBH. He tattooed the word 'Glory' on his left arm. The lad really see himself as the David Beckham of badminton.

I like how they described KKK - 'stylish'. Well, the lad is serious this time about taking the gold in Beijing with TBH. He tattooed the word 'Glory' on his left arm. The lad really see himself as the David Beckham of badminton.

haha...good if we have a beckham in mas:D

It's a horrible move for transient achievements of the pair. KKK is a doubles player, not singles.

-dave

Just had a nice little re-visit to this thread. :D

Just had a nice little re-visit to this thread. :D

You should apply for YKH's position.:D