KUALA LUMPUR: National badminton legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei wants national shuttlers who have never had the experience of competing in the Olympic Games to take inspiration from his story in the Athens 2004 edition in Greece.
Chong Wei said the national players who will be competing in the qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, starting next month should not give up and fight to the last drop to ensure they can qualify for the world's biggest sports event like how he did almost two decades ago.
The winner of the men's singles silver medal three times in a row at the Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016 editions admitted that he did not expect to represent the country at the 2004 Olympic Games since he had never represented the country at the SEA Games or the Asian Games at that time.
"At that time, only Wong Choong Hann and Roslin Hashim were confirmed going (to Athens), but when participating in the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) in Kuala Lumpur, I managed to advance to the quarter-finals and was indirectly able to be in 15th position in the top 16 ranking for the Olympic Games because at that time each country was allowed to send three representatives instead of two like now.
"I didn't feel any pressure at all because no one expected a medal from me in Athens 2004. After Choong Hann and Roslin were eliminated, I was the only one left who played against the then number two player in the world from China, Chen Hong, in the round of 16 and was disappointed to lose even though I played the rubber game but I learned a lot there," he told reporters here today.
Chong Wei said this at the opening ceremony of Soul Sports Physio and Rehab Centre, which was also attended by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
Besides hoping Malaysia will have two men singles in Paris 2024, the former world number one also wants to see the country have more options who can compete to fill the top 16 positions in the Olympic Games ranking in that category.
"Of course Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong I always say I hope will be in the top 16 in the Olympic qualification but for Tze Yong he has to fight because it's not easy. At the same time, I also hope there is a third or fourth singles player such as Leong Jun Hao or Cheam June Wei who will be in the fight for Paris 2024," he said.
At the same time, he wants to share his experience of handling the pressure when competing in his past four editions of the Olympic Games with all athletes including those listed in the 'Road To Gold' (RTG) programme because to him it is not easy to face the challenge.
Meantime, the 2016 BAC champion said it will not be easy for Zii Jia to defend his BAC crown this year in Dubai, United Arab Emirates but believes the world number four can do it if he shows his best performance.
Zii Jia, who is seeded third in Dubai, will open his campaign against Hong Kong's Angus Ng Ka Long, today.
Regarding the opening of the Soul Sports Physio and Rehab Centre, Chong Wei said the idea of establishing the centre came with two of his business partners, Malaysian Basketball Association president, Datuk Seri Lee Tian Hock and MJHM Sdn Bhd chairman, Datuk Mike Tee Swee Guan, after understanding the importance of injury prevention for athletes or the general public and treating injuries suffered.
Meanwhile, Hannah informed that RTG coordinator, Stuart Ramalingam, along with Chong Wei and two other national sports legends, Datuk Nicol David (squash) and Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi (hockey), are still in the process of evaluating all the requirements of the 15 athletes listed in the programme.
"Basically, many need facilities at the National Sports Institute, especially indie players (badminton), but all of these will be scrutinised, including the required budget," she said.
Among the athletes listed in the RTG programme are Zii Jia, defending men's doubles world champion, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, national track cycling champion, Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and national diving queen, Datuk Pandelela Rinong.
The RTG is a national project with the objective to coordinate the country's efforts in hunting for the maiden gold medal at the Olympic Games starting with Paris 2024.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Wed Apr 26 2023
Datuk Lee Chong Wei wants national shuttlers who have never had the experience of competing in the Olympic Games to take inspiration from his story in the Athens 2004 edition in Greece. - Filepic
Kestabilan sosiopolitik Sabah bolehkan agihan ekonomi saksama - Tun Juhar
Keadaan sosiopolitik Sabah yang stabil akan membolehkan pengagihan ekonomi, pendapatan dan kekayaan negeri dilakukan secara adil dan saksama kepada semua rakyat, kata Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah Tun Ju
Kenanga jangka OPR stabil 3.0 peratus pada 2025
Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd menjangka Kadar Dasar Semalaman (OPR) kekal stabil pada 3.0 peratus sepanjang 2025.
Johor sasar jumlah ternakan cecah 200,000 ekor pada 2027
Johor menyasarkan jumlah ternakan di negeri ini mencapai hingga 200,000 ekor pada 2027 setelah berjaya mencapai jumlah pengeluaran ternakan sebanyak 152,000 ekor hingga bulan lepas.
Hargai warga emas melalui penjagaan, hormat dan penglibatan - Lee Lam Thye
Lee Lam Thye menekankan keperluan mendesak untuk menghargai warga emas melalui penjagaan, hormat, dan penglibatan yang lebih baik.
Malaysia perlu bersedia penuhi keperluan TBB yang semakin meningkat - Fadillah
Keperluan tenaga boleh baharu (TBB) di negara ini semakin meningkat seiring dengan keyakinan pelabur asing khususnya untuk mewujudkan pusat-pusat data.
Belanjawan 2025: Kesalinghubungan internet di sekolah, kampus jadi keutamaan - Fahmi
Fahmi berkata ia termasuk isu Internet di kawasan terpencil, pedalaman dan pulau-pulau dalam memastikan akses Internet berkelajuan tinggi lebih meluas.
Pelajar tahfiz perlu teroka bidang teknologi
Kira-kira 200,000 pelajar tahfiz di negara ini, perlu dipastikan untuk mempunyai kemampuan dan peluang menjadi tenaga penggerak kepada umat Islam Malaysia dalam meneroka bidang yang dahulu dilihat sebagai asing., tegas Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Perpaduan rakyat prasyarat ekonomi mampan
Tidak semua negara Islam mempunyai ruang dan kesempatan untuk terus aman dan damai, dan mempunyai peluang untuk menikmati ekonomi yang kukuh dan berkembang seperti Malaysia, tegas Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Beliau berkata, rakyat Malaysia perlu mempunyai tekad untuk memahami maksud dan keperluan perpaduan di kalangan mereka, serta kekuatan dalaman yang seterusnya dapat dijadikan tonggak untuk negara membuat langkah seterusnya.
Beliau berkata, rakyat Malaysia perlu mempunyai tekad untuk memahami maksud dan keperluan perpaduan di kalangan mereka, serta kekuatan dalaman yang seterusnya dapat dijadikan tonggak untuk negara membuat langkah seterusnya.
Tidak perlu tergesa-gesa tukar ke lesen B - JPJ
Pemegang Lesen Memandu Malaysia (LMM) Kelas B2 dan B1 tidak perlu tergesa-gesa mendaftar Program Khas Peralihan LLM Kelas B2/B1 Kepada LMM Kelas B kerana tiada had masa ditetapkan untuk permohonan.
KPWKM teruskan lapan inisiatif bantu warga emas
Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat (KPWKM) akan terus menggerakkan lapan inisiatif utama dalam memenuhi keperluan jagaan dan sistem sokongan terhadap warga emas.
"Saya pernah bertanding di 13 negeri, semua saya sayang" - Lee Chong Wei
Sempena Hari Malaysia hari ini, legenda badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, memberikan kata dua buat semua rakyat Malaysia.
Paralimpik Paris 2024: Chong Wei beri 'tabik spring' buat kontinjen negara
Datuk Lee Chong Wei, mengucapkan tahniah kepada kontinjen para negara yang berjuang untuk mengharumkan nama Malaysia.
'Malaysia paling kuat apabila semua kaum bersama' - Lee Chong Wei
PERKONGSIAN mencuit hati legenda badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, mengenai perpaduan kaum di Malaysia sekali lagi mencuri perhatian.
Jangan jadi wira papan kekunci - Chong Wei
Datuk Lee Chong Wei menggesa netizen supaya tidak berselindung di sebalik profil tanpa nama untuk membuat kenyataan menghina atlet Malaysia berikutan tamatnya Sukan Olimpik Paris.
‘Penyakit dalam sukan Malaysia, tumpu kepada atlet menang sahaja’ - Penganalisis
"Tengok apabila Pandelela Rinong tidak boleh bertanding, tidak ada orang yang boleh menggantikan tempatnya, begitu juga berlaku selepas Lee Chong Wei bersara. Terkapai-kapai cari pengganti."
Olimpik Paris: Chong Wei kongsi detik cemas bertukar kelakar disebabkan 'Jason'
Lee Chong Wei mendedahkan dia juga tidak dapat lari daripada perasaan cemas ketika menyertai temasya pertamanya di Athens pada 2004.
Olimpik Paris 2024: Jangan biar tekanan menguasai - Chong Wei
Kira-kira dua minggu menjelang Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024, debaran pastinya kian dirasai pemain-pemain badminton negara apatah lagi selepas undian oleh Persekutuan Badminton Dunia (BWF) semalam.
Lee Chong Wei masih belum terfikir jadi jurulatih di BAM
Chong Wei pernah menerima tawaran daripada BAM dan luar negara tetapi masih tidak berminat untuk menjadi jurulatih.
'Terus kuat Faisal Halim ...' - Chong Wei
Semangat dan solidariti untuk pemain Selangor FC, Faisal Halim dari komuniti sukan negara masih berterusan sehingga saat ini.
Maszlee cadang Chong Wei bantu kembangkan bakat pemain badminton Rusia
Pengerusi IAIS Malaysia, Profesor Maszlee Malik, berhasrat menggunakan kepada kepakaran seperti Datuk Lee Chong Wei untuk membantu menggilap bakat badminton di Rusia.