Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Chong Wei aims to get it right

Four years ago tears rolled down the cheeks of Lee Chong Wei at the Wembley Arena during the medal presentation ceremony at the end of the men's singles gold medal match.

Chong Wei stood in silence as he watched the Chinese national anthem being played.

Later he revealed to this blogger how much he had wanted to hear Negaraku being played instead.

Chong Wei had to settle for silver, losing an epic final against his nemesis Lin Dan.

Four years later in this time in Rio, the Penang born can create history, by becoming the first Malaysian to win Goldat the Olympics.

" Of course the dream is to win gold but I am not even thinking of the semis let alone the final yet," said Chong Wei.

" The draw looks good but rather then being complacent I will take it one match at a time.

"No doubt the path to the semis looks easier then for others, but treating my opponents with respect is what I have learnt and practiced all this while.

" I am under no pressure to win the gold as if it is destined so be it. I will give it my best shot but so will every other player.

" The desire to deliver Golf had never waned despite not being able to deliver it in my last three Olympics."

Having won two silvers at the Beijing and London Olympics, Chong Wei is placed Group A, with the likes of Soren Opti of Surinam and Derek Wong of Singapore.

He should  waltz through to the last eight where he is expected to take on  Taiwan's sixth seed Chou Tien-Chen.

And it is in the semis that he may once again cross racquets against Lin Dan, provided the Chinese gets the better of Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark in the expected clash of the last eight.

" In that sense it looks like a good draw as I could have had a more difficult path to the semis," said Chong Wei who will undergo his last training session at the Juara Stadium Thursdsy morning before leaving for Rio later in the night.

" Going there early will help us get used to the conditions and give us enough rest.

" I am also very honoured to be given the role as the flag bearer at the opening ceremony on August 5 and want the Jalur Gemilang to stand high and mighty at the end of the Badminton event as well."

Four years ago a total of RM3 million was promised to the winner of the first Malaysian to win Gold at the Olympics. This was aside the RM1 million promised by the NSC under its incentive scheme.

However this time around there are no such incentives.

Chong Wei was unfazed by it.

" The important thing is to deliver the gold medal for the country and the rest will follow," said Chong Wei.

" What I need to do now is sit with the coaches and study the game of the potential opponents.

" We have been working on some tactical aspects in training and I hope to put them to good use.

" I hope Malaysians from all walks of life, young and old will pray for not only my success but all the other national Athletes competing at the Olympics."