I just had to search for some up to date information on the former Commonwealth Champion There was some discussion about Malaysian players, poor english skills and then lack of job prospects. Ang Li Peng started her studies late and was a mature student on entering University. Is it too late? You'll find that quite a number of medical students only start medical school between the ages of 20 to 30. "I am sure anybody can excel in both areas. It depends wether they want to do it or not", she says. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/10/23/nation/12212565&sec=nation KUALA LUMPUR: She used to be a star in the badminton court but now it is the court of law that beckons gutsy Ang Li Peng. She has created history by being the first Commonwealth badminton gold medallist to be called to the Malaysian Bar. The national badminton player overcame the odds, including the language barrier, to achieve her ambition, which seemed like a dream seven years ago. “I am over the moon. I never thought this day would finally come. Thank God, everything turned out beautifully today. It is amazing, it is like a dream come true,” the 31-year-old said after being admitted and enrolled as an advocate and solicitor of the High Courts in Malaya at the Jalan Duta Court Complex here along with others. The petition was made by lawyer Tan Sri Cecil Abraham at the Appellate and Special Powers High Court before Justice Abang Iskandar Hashim. Besides family members and friends, Kuala Lumpur Racquet Club founder Datuk Seri Andrew Kam and Olympic Council of Malaysia honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi turned up to show their support. Ang posing with her gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Ang posing with her gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Ang, who read law in Britain and has been a barrister-at-law at Middle Temple since last November, said she wanted to become a lawyer because as a badminton player, she believed in fair play and justice. But the road to success was not an easy one. She managed to do her A-levels at the age of 24 and had to overcome her struggles with the English language. “I did not speak good English. I could not even construct a sentence properly,” said Ang, who had studied at a Chinese medium school. “That is why I'm very pleased for being able to graduate with a British law degree. I kept practising and will keep practising,” she added. Ang, who is now pursuing her post-graduate studies in law in London, said she still had a lot to learn. “The transformation from one court (badminton) to the other is challenging but I will continue to work hard and focus on being a better lawyer,” said the former doubles champion, who plans to specialise in corporate law. She said it was very tough to study A-levels seven years after completing her SPM examinations. “Going back to school was really tough. There were times when I wanted to quit. “But I decided to remain steadfast with the support of family and friends. Determination is the best way,” said Ang, who retired from professional badminton at the age of 21 after winning the Commonwealth doubles gold in Manchester.
Commonwealth gold medallist Ang Li Peng obtains law degree http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/15/nation/6665669&sec=nation KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton gold medallist Ang Li Peng has gone on to conquer another “court” since hanging up her racquet in 2003. Always one to overcome the odds, the gritty 29-year-old from Banting achieved her goal of obtaining a law degree, graduating last month at the University of Manchester. Major victory: Ang with a picture of her and former doubles partner Lim Pek Siah after they won the Commonwealth doubles gold in 2002. Many questioned her decision when she gave up badminton at the peak of her career after winning the 2002 Commonwealth Games badminton doubles gold medal with Lim Pek Siah in Manchester. The pair had created history by being the first Malaysians to win the Commonwealth doubles’ gold me**dal. “I achieved my ultimate dream of winning gold before retiring. How many people have had the chance to do that?” asked the once-shy girl who is now a confident law graduate. Her success in, and out, of the badminton court certainly did not come easy. “I could not even speak English properly and used to stutter. Imagine how difficult it was for me when I did my A-levels in 2005, seven years after taking my SPM exam,” she said, adding that she made the decision to quit the sport and return to her books as she realised that a good education would secure her future. Admitting that there were times when she felt like throwing in the towel, she said she also lost direction and did not know what course to pursue at one juncture. Fortunately, she never let these initial problems affect her. She completed her A-levels before pursuing her Bachelor of Law degree at the university. “It was akin to a badminton novice playing with Lin Dan, who sprays unpredictable shots all over the court. But the person gets better after playing with him several times,’’ she said. Ang reserved special words of praise for her family, and friends like badminton lover Datuk Seri Andrew Kam, who owns the KLRC badminton club which has sponsored many badminton players around the world. The determined Ang said she took up law because she believed in “justice, fair play and equality”.
