Going back to the thread title, I have met Saina Nehwal's father when watching her match. Does that count? Lol. We sat next to each other and had a nice chat. Lee Chun Hei's mother knows me - but she knows lots and lots of people lol. Umm. Talked with Chris and Gabby Adcock. Happened to sit next to them and didn't recognize them and I said 'Are you Gabriella White? ' (going back two years now) Canadians Toby Ng, Alex Bruce and Michelle Li (briefly). Toby and Alex are pretty cool. Jonas Rasmussen and Thomas Laybourne are pretty cool dudes. Former internationals Albertus Njoto and Agus Hariyanto were my classmates on a coaching course. We had to take a written exam together! Just met Agus again last weekend in fact. Had dinner with Wong Choon Han. After that we went around driving in my hot hatchback. (I was younger then LOL). Talked about cars most of the time.
I like the tone of this thread. Good on everyone for disagreeing and being firm but graceful about it. Of course he may have a real reason. That was one of the questions I prompted and answered a few posts ago. The more likely, believable explanation is that he just doesn't want to do it. That's fine too, but I'm not cheering for him and I maintain that's a perfectly justifiable, natural reaction. I'm not going to pretend that isn't aloof when it is unless he has a phobia of cameras or whatever. Maybe you guys are nicer, more forgiving people than me, but that doesn't make me bad or even childish.
All these close encounters with badminton greats is fascinating reading! Especially from here, where the only chance of seeing a world champion would be at the airport if their plane got diverted from its path for technical reasons. ;-) More stories, please!
It is y bad luck that I have not met with any player yet. I have the interest to meet with one of the player, but I don't know when the day will come to me.
Well it's unfair for me since I'm an official. But it's a shame I am too shy. First time I met Taufik though, I was in the hotel lobby waiting for someone and he walked through, and by the time he got into the elevator, I looked at my friend and was like, why did I not stop to ask for a photo or something? I totally just blanked out. The shyness part, I was sitting across from Kento Momota for about 3 hours in the corner of the hotel lobby once while we were both waiting for a ride to the airport. I didn't speak up a word haha. At US Open when it was in LA was nice, the officials would get together and travel to a nearby gym to hit in the morning, and usually that's where the players usually go to in the morning to get some practice in (if they couldn't get a court at the venue) so you can hit next to them, and some would allow you to play a match against them. Sidek Misbun was giving out lessons there too (not for free of course). I got to play against Eva Lee/Kennevic Asuncion and Paula O'Banana/Antonio Gadi. My partner (who's one of the top jr players in the US) was challenged by the top WS from Vietnam. They originally played to 7 in which my friend won 7-4 and then she changed her mind to 21 and then proceeded to beat him 21-16. Great memories.
Met many, but never up close or spoke to them. There's always a fair number of fans crowding around them so...
you need to stop being so shy Time for you to take an extended trip.... Target the world championships in Indonesia - that would be amazing
I too regret being too shy with trying to interact with the top tier players.. In the Sudirman Cup last year, was with the lovely Gronya Somerville (before she caught global fame) in the Li Ning booth, I was so in awe and star-struck at her presence that I missed a chance at a photo with her.. To this day I dread that lost opportunity. Same thing happened with Bao Yi Xin in last year's Malaysia Open SS My wife and I were able to get a picture with Bona Septano and Mohammad Ahsan when they won the Philippine Open GP, but missed out on Alvent Yulianto and Hendra Gunawan.. Was also able to high five Chen Long on his way out of the stadium. Also, got a brief handshake with my idol Taufik Hidayat in one of his promotional appearances in the Philippines in 2005.
@kwun I was trying to look up the very first trip report I wrote for this forum. I wrote some small side stories that might be relevant for this thread. Remember, at that time in 2001, there was no youtube and it was practically non-existant to get televised badminton outside of Asia. Unfortunately, the link within the thread is down. http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php/1337-ARTICLE-Japan-Open-Trip-Report I remember Kanako Yonekura serving me at the Yonex stand (she is now a coach). I was thinking this is crazy having an international badminton player selling me stuff! I was alongside Ji Xin Peng (anybody remember him?) whilst he was videoing matches in the stands.
I met the following during 2014 NZ Open: Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Selvanus Geh -- photo and autograph (and shakehands ;p). Hsu Jen-Hao -- photo and autograph (and shakehands ;p). Razif Sidek -- autograph (and shakehands ;p). Lee Hyun Ill -- photo and autograph. Bae Sung Hee -- autograph (and photo should be no problem). Nova Widianto -- autograph and photo. Third day during the tournament, i was sitting at the general admission area. Was surprised to see Nova coaching KSS/SG during a match. When the match finished, I quickly ran up to him (while he was walking back to players lounge) and ask for a photo. After an hour or so, he came out from the players lounge and sat at the general admission area, basically 2 rows behind me. Since we could freely move around, I went to ask for his autograph~ ;p Well.......I would say, throughout the whole tournament, not many spectators actually recognized this former 2 times world champion. Day 2 of tournament, an "old guy" wearing glasses and a hat, came to sit beside me, watching intensely the match not far from us. After the match finished, we had a short conversation. Day 3, my friend txt to inform me that Razif Sidek was here. I regretted I couldn't recognize the "old guy" sitting beside me the day before was Razif Sidek. During the semi final day, I saw him in the spectator seat. I went to say hi and asked for his autograph. He signed "Best Wishes, Razif Sidek" ;p
My list: Taufik Hidiyat - autograph and photo Tony Gunawan - autograph and photo Pi Hongyan - autograph and photo Tian Houwei - photo Bao Yixin/Cheng Shu - autograph and photo Tai Tzi Ying - photo Cheng Shao Jie - photo Ayane Kurihara - photo Lee Yong Dae - autograph Ardy Wiranata - photo Anna Rice - autograph
JG luuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrvvvveeeeeeeessssssssss the limelight and attention. Not complaining, because she is amongst the most approachable Indian sportspersons.
For us it does, coz Dr. Harvir is a celebrity in his own right and had it not been for Usha ji, Saina won't even have begun her initiation.
Never met any pro-badminton players but have met/watched a big bunch (30-40 odd) of pro cricketers and a two pro footballers, (one of which was a dual sportsman). In India, unless you live in Gachibowli Hyderabad; the chances of your meeting big badminton players is limited to the three tournaments.
As an international line judge I have had my picture taken with plenty of players: a.o. Bao Yixin, Tang Jinhua, Wang Yihan, Sun Yu, Cai Yun, Liu Cheng, Busanan Ongbamrungphan, Porntip Buranaprasertsuk, Nicheon Jindapon, Greysia Polii and some European players. Pic taken with WYH at this year's Swiss Open:
My pictures with players from the 2015 Canada Open. Left to right. Andrew Ellis(Eng), Shi Yuqi(Chn), Lee Chun Hei(HK), Takuma Ueda(Jpn). Lee Yang(Tpe), Fuchs/Schoettler(Ger), Osleni Guerrero(Cuba), line judging LCW. Sai Praneeth(Ind), Kai Guo(Chn), Song Xue(Chn), Mark Lamsfuss(Ger).
Awesome set! And you were a volunteer so that made it a lot easier. I was a spectator myself and I met Michelle Li, Marc Zwiebler, Wong Wing Ki Vincent, and Chau Hoi Wah. Also got the autograph from LCW!
