Good friends Hoai Thanh and Chanida to renew rivalry on court
SHUTTLERS Vu Hoai Thanh and Chanida Srinavakul are from different countries and rivals on the court. Yet, they have forged a bond that transcends borders.
Hoai Thanh of Vietnam and Chanida of Thailand have been the best of friends for 14 years.
The 31-year-old Chanida rushed to give Hoai Thanh a big hug when their paths crossed during a training session a few days ago.
They are competing in the women’s singles SL4 class (impairment in lower limbs) at the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games.
The round- robin competition began at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Hoai Thanh lost her opening Group C match – going down 13-21, 18-21 to Nipada Saengsupa of Thailand.
Chanida began her Group B campaign with a win – beating Filipina Kathleen Baido Pedrosa 21-5, 21-9.
Despite their mixed fortunes in their opening matches, there’s no mistaking their friendship.
“We first met when we made our Para Games debut at her home town in Hanoi in 2003. We’ve competed in every Games since then. Our bond has become stronger.
“Initially, language was a barrier but we picked up English. We’re good friends off the court. But on the court, we are very competitive,” said the cheerful Chanida, who works as a public relations officer with a beer company in Bangkok.
Chanida, who won one silver and two bronzes at the 2015 Singapore Asean Para Games, was born with one leg shorter than the other.
“My right leg is shorter by five inches. I was born like that.
“Now, I use an extension (pros- thetic leg) to play.
“It was tough initially. I could not balance myself. Now, I can’t tell the difference,” said Chanida, who aims to end her elusive chase for a gold at the KL Games.
The 37-year-old Hoai Thanh, a mother of three children, has won a total of four golds in seven Para Games outings.
And she still wants more.
“I look forward to every Para Games because it’s an opportunity to meet good friends. We don’t have too many international tournaments,” said Hoai Thanh, who gets a six million dong (RM1,100) monthly allowance from her association.
“I was involved in an accident when I was 16.
“I was riding a bicycle to school when I crashed into a motorcycle. My left leg was amputated from the knee down.
“My life changed drastically. “Luckily for me, I picked up badminton. It has given me so much joy,” added Hoai Thanh who now hopes to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Paralympics.