Einstein said, "Everything is relative." The first time I heard this quote, I scratched my head and replied, "Hmmmm; I guess so." So, "I guess everything is relative." This is one of those instances... ...a very good badminton player and good friend of mine (who shall remain nameless ) went to visit China. He went with a prominent business man who knows many of the top players in China. Nameless comes back from the trip and I ask him how was China? He says great. "I met a lot of people, many badminton players. They were incredible, they could really play." Nameless isn't impressed very easily as he's an excellent badminton player so I figured he must have met some top players. Nameless gives me a disk with all the photos he took from his China Vacation. I flip through the pictures and he points to one and says, "This kid is very good and here's his coach sitting next to me." I looked, my jaw dropped and I said, "What duh?!" The person sitting next to Nameless was no one other than Zhao Jian Hua and nameless didn't know who he was. I started to laugh and said, "That's Zhao Jian Hua, probably the best singles player ever." Nameless replied nonchalantly, "Oh. No wonder, that explains a lot." Anyway, I guess everything is relative.
hahaha, just goes to show that those who are good players aren't really that knowledgable about badminton affairs around the world.
man, if he thinks the kid is impressive, he should've seen the coach!! time to send him a link to that 1990 All England match between Zhao vs. Joko, eh?
Hmm.. Nameless was probably testing you, Master NGP..hehe Btw, the name "Nameless" sounds so Hollywood, like the character in the movie "Hero".. ..planet BC??..
Yeah, I've been gone for about 4 weeks. Been working hard, burning the midnight oil. Barely played any bad.
No kidding! Nameless mentioned that he played against this 40 something guy (we'll name him "Bomber") who was hired by the Chinese National Team to just smash at them. Yes, he's hired to SMASH at the Chinese National Team and has been doing it for many years. How cool of a job is that? Nameless said Bomber hits absolute BOMBS as hard as he's ever encountered and Nameless has played against top players including Tony and Halim.
The Chinese atheletes does have this kind of program where in this case use a certain "bomber" to smash at the players. Their roles is to support the Olympic dreams of the country. There is more than one Bomber in the program. And i'm sure they have faster smash than FU Hai Feng. This type of training is used in Judo as well. Not for Smashing of course. For the Chinese ladies team, MEN are hired and to be Thrown by Ladies Judo wrestlers. And these men ARE HUGE! Imagine you have to be thrown like a hundred times a day and also to perform other styles as well.
Actually not that surprised if 'Nameless' is of the younger generation. (Ah... young is also relative, isn't it?). ZJH's look does change a bit now as he obviously put on some weight and his face is more "meaty" as compare to his prime playing days on TV. But if he has been introduced to 'Nameless' and that still does not ring a bell then it is not excusable! I am fortunate enough to have a glimpse of Rudy Hartono at the end of his great playing career. If I was born a few years later, I would not have recongnise Rudy if he sit next to me (not that it would happen!).
Nope, Nameless is not of the younger generation. My point is that people have different perspectives. If I saw and had a chance to eat with ZJH on more than a few occasions as well as play against him/get instruction, I would take every chance to. Nameless didn't grab the bull by the horns so to speak. It was like no big deal to him.
Ha ha. Maybe your friend, Nameless is one of those who enjoy the game and doesn't idolise like some do & hence doesn't bother who is on court as long as it's a beautiful match.
I'm not talking idols or heroes. My point was that he didn't know who ZJH was, yet he's so involved in the game in all aspects. He follows local and national players a lot but I guess not international.
I agree with what Linus said regarding the younger generations...but also even the older generations like me. I am in a coaching program where most coaches are youngsters (university students) who I might add are better players than me, but they have no idea who the top players are nowadays or even in the past. And they are very involved in the badminton scene here. But of course, it's not that all of them like that. Like Kwun said, if anyone wants to know how good ZJH is, just let them watch the ZJH/Joko match. bchaiyow
The match between ZJH vrs JS is my most prized video of all time, display what a beautiful game badminton can be played...truly incredible, and left in awe when the first time I saw the video. Every badminton fan should see this video...a must to see.
