Fu trumps trio for top honours By Chia Han Keong my paper Wednesday, May 30, 2012 She was facing three other worthy candidates, but shuttler Fu Mingtian emerged as this year's Sportswoman of the Year at the Singapore Sports Awards ceremony at Swissotel The Stamford last night. Receiving the award from the guest of honour, President Tony Tan, the 21-year-old South-east Asia Games gold medallist - who overcame a hostile crowd to win a thrilling women's singles final in Jakarta last year - confessed later that she had never thought she would win it over the other three athletes. "Since being shortlisted for the award, I kept thinking the other sportswomen would win," she said in Mandarin, flashing a wide grin. "Never once did I think I would win. I'm really stunned right now." Indeed, the three other nominees for the award had notched significant wins in their respective sporting disciplines last year. Bowler Daphne Tan was runner-up at the World Women's Championships, swimmer Tao Li managed a seven-gold haul at last year's SEA Games, and paddler Feng Tianwei won Pro Tour titles at the Korean and Japan Opens. Fu said that this award is a consolation for her missing out on qualifying for July's London Olympics. "If I had a choice, she would definitely have wanted both the award and the Olympic qualification," she said. "But I'm still young, and I'll use this award as motivation to keep striving for upcoming Olympic Games." There was less drama for the Sportsman of the Year award, as overwhelming favourite Joseph Schooling duly claimed the award over shooter Zhang Jin. The 16-year-old swimmer also becomes the youngest recipient of the award, easily beating the previous youngest winner, bowler Lim Zhong, who was 18 when he won in 2000. Schooling won two golds, one silver and a bronze in his SEA Games debut in Palembang last year, and is also the only Singaporean swimmer to meet the A qualifying time for July's London Olympics. The national swimmers dominated the major awards, with Quah Zheng Wen and Amanda Lim winning the Sportsboy and Sportsgirl of the Year honours respectively. National bowling coach William Woo earned his second straight Coach of the Year award, while the national wushu women's duilian team won the Team of the Year honours. The Straits Times correspondent Terrence Voon clinched the inaugural Most Inspiring Sports Story of the Year award with his story "Not just flesh and blood, but the football heart", about S-League goalkeeper Shahril Jantan. hankeong@sph.com.sg
Steel Magnolia - Fu Mingtian By Lim Say Heng The New Paper Thursday, Jun 07, 2012 The first thing that strikes you as you walk into Fu Mingtian's personal space in the hostel room at the Singapore Sports School is how pink it is. Pink wallpaper, pink laptop, pink pillow case and blanket, and even a Pink Panther soft toy on her bed. The pixie-faced shuttler said cheerily: "I've liked the colour for a long time and people say I look good in that colour too." For sure, the past six months have been as rosy as her cubicle's colour theme in the big room, which the 21-year-old shares with several teammates. First, Mingtian became the first Singaporean to win the women's singles badminton title at last November's South-east Asia Games in Jakarta. One week ago, she became the first shuttler to win the Sportswoman of the Year accolade at the annual Singapore Sports Awards. But if fate had taken a different twist though, Mingtian could have been a gymnast, a synchronised swimmer, or a diver, like her famous cousin Fu Mingxia. She recounted: "My mum thought it would be a good idea to get me involved in sports before I started primary school. "I started learning gymnastics for a couple of years and then synchronised swimming for another, at this place where my jiejie (elder sister in Mandarin) picked up the basics." Jiejie is Mingtian's affectionate term for Mingxia, and the latter would dote on her youngest cousin by bringing her snacks or toys whenever she returned to Hubei on holiday in the past. Mingtian would not follow in Mingxia's footsteps though, but it was not for the lack of trying. She said: "When I was learning synchronised swimming, the diving coach asked me to try, so I did for a week. Terrified "It was fun at first because I was just jumping on the trampoline, but I was terrified when it was time to do the actual dive. "The coach tied a rope around my waist so that he could pull me up if I didn't surface from the pool. "And then he pushed me in. Needless to say, I gave that up and returned to synchronised swimming. "Later, the diving coach told me that I probably wouldn't be suitable because my dad is about 1.81m-tall, so I might be just as tall." However, Mingtian would eventually grow to a height of 1.65m, which would be ideal for a diver. She added: "Who would have thought that I would eventually turn out to have the right build for diving?" When she entered primary school, Mingtian and her parents thought it would be the end of her sporting career. Until one fateful day when she was in Primary Two. She was having her PE lesson when a coach from one of the amateur sports schools came in and invited about a dozen students to try out badminton. Asked why she thought she was among those picked, Mingtian said: "My height was quite okay for my age, and I was also the sports representative for my class." She became part of the provincial training squad after primary school, and after two years, was about to go for selection for the main team when an opportunity came knocking. Mingtian recalled: "A coach came to scout for players to play in Singapore. Back then, I really wanted to see the world. "My parents had hoped that I would stay by their side, play professionally for the province and perhaps, eventually study in a nearby university." But she was determined to broaden her horizons and decided to take up the Singapore Badminton Association's offer, even if it meant that the only child would be leaving her parents. The steely grit that won her the gold medal in the hostile cauldron in Jakarta was already evident when she came to Singapore in 2003. She said: "I would cry as I missed home for the first six months, but I wouldn't tell my parents because I didn't want them to come to take me back. "I pushed myself really hard during training too because I wanted to stay in Singapore." She got her wish and became a Singapore citizen in 2007 under the Foreign Sports Talent Scheme. However, before her historic SEA Games feat last year, Mingtian's list of honours was short - she only won the girls' doubles title at the 2008 World Junior Championships with Yao Lei and the Vietnam Open women's singles title last year. She said, her megawatt smile slightly fading: "That was a low period in my life, but even then I have never regretted taking up badminton or coming to Singapore. "My coach would say, 'When you hit rock bottom, the only way is up'." And it seems that she is on the up now with her recent achievements, although there is also a blip recently - her non-selection for the London Olympics next month. Good fight She paused a while before saying: "A lot of people felt sorry for me, but it's alright. I wasn't really that unhappy when I got the news during our recent training camp in Taiwan. "I kind of knew (that I wouldn't get it) based on my performances in general during competitions, but I just wanted to give it a good fight. "I respect the selection committee's decision." She may be all girly and cheery, but make no mistake, there is real steel beneath that charming facade. FACTFILE NAME: Fu Mingtian BIRTHDAY: June 27, 1990 HEIGHT: 1.65m WEIGHT: 56kg TRIVIA Favourite movie? I like action movies and my last show was The Avengers, but my favourite would be Titanic. I watched it about three times, even the 3D version recently. Favourite singer? (Taiwanese singer and TV host) Show Luo. I just like his songs. If I could be stuck in the lift with someone, it would be... Show Luo. I can chat with him... and maybe even ask for his number! (giggles) If I weren't a badminton player, I would be a... Probably someone who works in the office. They look very important, wearing their suits and typing away on the computer. Exactly what I want to do in the office? I have no idea! Lin Dan or Lee Chong Wei? I prefer Lee Yong Dae (South Korean Olympics mixed doubles champion). He's got a lot of style on the court and he's very handsome too. But if I had to choose between the two, it would be Lin Dan. He's very, very good on court and has won almost everything in the sport. What do you do in your free time? Training is very tough, so I would be in my room surfing the Internet, watching shows or chatting with my parents via QQ (chat application) on week nights. On weekends, I would go for karaoke sessions, watch movies or go shopping with my friends. How would you describe yourself? As she ponders the question, roommate Xing Aiying shouts in Mandarin from across the partition: White (referring to her fair complexion), and well-behaved! Tell us something about yourself that not many people know. I have a boyfriend, whom I've known for a long time. He lives in Hubei and his family knows my family very well. sayheng@sph.com.sg This article was first published in The New Paper.
I feel that Gu Juan should concentrate on playing singles, esp now that she's an Olympian. In the INA Open SSP 2012 now in progress, she's taking part in both singles and doubles partnering Chen Jiayuan, is that a good idea, can she cope?
I'm also at a loss too. But I doubt Gu will take the doubles seriously. Indeed her priority should be in the singles. What I think the coach may be doing is to try them out for possible partnership in the next Uber Cup perhaps. We are still without a second reliable WD pair other than Yao and Shinta. Or is it meant to test Gu's stamina and resilience for LOG?
Romance blooms for national shuttlers Derek Wong, Vanessa Neo Romance blooms for Wong and Neo, thanks to their full-time training Published on Jun 17, 2012 Derek Wong and Vanessa Neo have plans to marry but they are not about to rush into it. Wong has targeted getting his university degree first. -- ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN By Alvin Chia If first impressions count, they would have both scored zeroes. When she was 12, she thought he was a quiet boy with a tinge of arrogance as he went about his badminton training. To him, she did not even leave any mark in his memory. Now, 13 years after they first met, national shuttlers Derek Wong and Vanessa Neo are a love match. 'He's an introvert and quite 'dao' (Mandarin for proud). He was not approachable when he was younger,' recalled Neo, 25, drawing first a sheepish smile from her boyfriend and then a sizzling smash of a retort. Background story First sight 'He's an introvert... He was not approachable when he was younger.' VANESSA NEO on Derek Wong 'I didn't know she existed at all.' WONG (My congratulations to both of them.)
Badminton: Gu Juan, Derek Wong crash out of Singapore Open By Patwant Singh | Posted: 20 June 2012 2145 hrs SINGAPORE: Two of Singapore's Olympics-bound shuttlers crashed out of the Li-Ning Singapore Open on Wednesday. Playing at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, women's singles player Gu Juan lost in round one to Thailand's Porntip Buranaprasertsuk 21-18, 22-20. Singapore's Derek Wong was up against Gurusaidutt R.M.V. from India. Wong is ranked higher at 47th in the world, compared to the Indian's 55th placed ranking. Despite the higher ranking, it was disappointment for the home fans as Derek was beaten 21-12, 21-13. The 23-year-old was unseeded but got into the main draw after Indonesia's Simon Santoso pulled out of the event. Derek said: "He has played two games before me. That's not an excuse - that the opponent has more time on the court so he probably knows the wind better - because we have also trained on this court and today he has also played very well. "For me, I'll probably have to polish up on my skills a little bit, try to keep it more consistent and prepare for the Olympics." But it was good news for the Singaporean pair of Yao Lei and Shinta Mulia Sari. The women's doubles pair, seeded 7th, beat their Malaysian opponents 21-18,18-21 and 21-18 to move to the next round. - CNA/ac
Oh my gawd!! I don't even realized that this thread existed. Since when lol? Anyway it seems like a one man show here. No wonder he has to visit other threads lor. Singapore also can.
What makes you think he's all alone here? Didn't you see other posters as well as many unseen ones who keep themselves updated reading what Uncle Loh has kindly and painstakingly undertaken upon himself to do for us? Kudos to him. And what do you mean "No wonder he has to visit other threads lor."? Who says he can only confine himself here in this thread, what logic is that? If you wish to "help" or contribute anything,you're most welcome;if not,it's fine too. Yes,that's right, Singapore Also Can.
we appreciate Loh's efforts on updating the info inside this thread. if you have something positive to offer here, it'll be greatly welcomed. if not, your absence in this thread will not be missed at all.
Yup you're right. Singapore! Singapore! Singapore! You must be cheering her name come Olympic. Something positive? I can see many negative postings of his in other threads!! Anyway let me try. I remembered that once back in the early 00's, Zhao Jian Hua as touted by many as one of the greatest badminton player ever (even better than LD) had coached the Singapore National team if I am not mistaken. But I couldn't remember any prominent name that came up under his charges. What actually happened?
You are in the wrong thread. Since I presume you are a Malaysian, you must have read the numerous postings on "Malaysia Boleh", "Malaysia Boleh" or you are too new to this forum to have missed them entirely. Malaysia has some of the best coaches in the world, from China to Indonesia and even Denmark, yet how many of your national players have made it big time apart from LCW? Even LCW has not captured the most prestigious crown - the Olympics. Singapore is just a small country and we aspire to being able to compete in the international sporting arena, to be relevant and engaged. If a much bigger country like Malaysia finds it hard to be at the top, Singapore should be happy that once in a while our players are able to beat some of the higher ranked players in the world, including Malaysia. Sure we will cheer for our players and our team whenever possible just as it is the inherent right of other countries to cheer for their teams. "Singapore Also Can" do what others are able to, and sometimes better is good for us and our sporting aspirants.
Its nice that this post of yours showed a little humility. Its good to be humble after all since many countries (maybe except China, Ind, Den, Kor) and most of their players have not been producing ANY prominent results at the international stage let alone the most prestigious of them all, the Olympics. Malaysia is a small country just like Singapore (if size does matter in the first place), when compared to other power-house nations in badminton. There is no use to hire the best coaches if there is no system. Zhau Jian Hua once coached Singapore and what have you people achieved?? On top of that, we have the most corrupted B.A of them all which were run by fools and idiots! The point is if we were to strike and belittled those who did not manage to capture the Olympic (lcw has a silver anyway) or many other accolades a few levels below, there are many other players besides him to begin with.
Please note again you are in the wrong thread and you are the one who tried to belittle SIN and condemn your own institution and officials. MAS is many times the size and population of SIN and therefore cannot be a small country compared to SIN. Of course we have achieved something, whether big or small and we will continue to strive for the best outcome within our limited resources. Maybe you are ignorant of the fact that ZJH coached our national team part time as he was working full time in a commercial organisation. And it will do you well not to try to belittle or humiliate SIN in the way you tried to for whatever reason best known to yourself especially in this thread which you are totally off topic. This is not the right forum for you to vent your anger, jealousy or hate against SIN.
You are getting a little too paranoid. Is it because of all the belittlement and disrespect you showed at other threads that makes you think that way? Take it easy. Talking about condemning of my own institution, it was actually another way to say that even with that kind of poor governance, we can still produce LCW. What do you have? Talking about jealousy, what is there for me to jealous about when it comes to Singapore badminton? Pardon me if I being too straightforward. Looking at it, will it be more proper to say that you were actually the one trying to vent your anger out of jealousy and hatred towards Mas badminton as far as achievements are concerned? Back to Singapore badminton, its good to know that you all are striving very hard to achieve the best. Be it big or small, majors, superseries or even world rankings it still required plenty of hardwork and talent if you not already know. Unlike 'tikam' that only requires pure luck.
chill guys. i am going to close this thread for now for the temperature to cool down. after it reopens and anyone try to start another argument we will start banning people. thanks.
