THERE IS NO SHORT CUT TO SUCCESS, SAYS HEAD COACH MISBUN

There is no short cut to success, says BAM head coach Misbun

KUALA LUMPUR: National backup shuttlers need to invest “thousand of hours in training” if they are to catch up with world champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.

“There’s no other way but to train. There’s no short cut,” said Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) head coach Datuk Misbun Sidek a day after Axelsen defeated Lee Chong Wei in the men’s singles final at the Japan Open in Tokyo on Sunday.

Axelsen entered the junior scene at the same time as Zulfadli Zulkiffli, Soong Joo Ven, Soo Teck Zhi and won the world junior title in 2010.

In 2011, Zulfadli beat Axelsen to become the world junior champion.

While Axelsen has gone on to greater things, Zulfadli and the rest seem to have stagnated.

Axelsen has won two titles this year – the world crown and the recent Japan Open.

Misbun said that Axelsen has grown into a steady and confident player.

“Denmark have done well to invest their time and focus on Viktor. He is psychologically a stronger player now,” said Misbun.

“He used to shout and vent his frustrations on court. Now, he is calmer. His techniques have improved and he knows how to control himself on court.

“He takes every shot thrown at him. He works hard for every shot. He uses his height to his advantage and it’s hard to find his weakness.

“All this boils down to hours of training. I know his father, who is behind his success. And I know how much Viktor wants to make it big in this sport.

“It’s not too late for our players. They have the potential but they need to be focused on training and be prepared to commit thousand of hours in training.

“It’ll take time but it’ll bear fruit,” said Misbun, who is determined to narrow the gap of the back-up players with the top five shuttlers in the world.

The top five men’s singles players in the world are South Korea’s Son Wan-ho, Axelsen, China’s Lin Dan and Shi Yuqi and Taiwan’s Chou Chen-tien.

As for Malaysia’s shuttlers, Chong Wei is in seventh spot, followed by Chong Wei Feng (41), Zulfadli (45), Liew Daren (49), Iskandar (55), Lee Zii Jia (64), Joo Ven (65), Goh Giap Chin (70), Lim Chi Wing (96), Tan Jia Wei (113), Cheam June Wei (125) and Soo Teck Zhi (142).

Wei Feng, Zulfadli, Daren and Giap Chin are independent shuttlers.