MISBUN BELIEVES CHONG WEI STILL GOT A LOT MORE IN HIM
Misbun: Chong Wei doesn’t feel that age is giving him problems
PETALING JAYA: Old-timer Lee Chong Wei is playing like he is in his twenties.
That’s national singles head coach Datuk Misbun Sidek’s assessment after the 35-yearold Chong Wei nailed his 12th Malaysian Open title on Sunday.
And Misbun will not be surprised if Chong Wei continues to defy his age to accomplish his unfulfilled goals like winning a world title and the Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
En route to winning the title, Chong Wei upset Denmark’s world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen in the last eight and knocked out a rejuvenated former world No. 2 Kento Momota of Japan in the final. His opponents are 24 and 23 years old respectively.
“Age is just a number for Chong Wei. He’s 35 but he is playing like he’s 26,” said Misbun.
“The Malaysian Open draw looked intimidating but I was confident he would do well from the start. And he lived up to my expectations by not even dropping a game!”
With the morale-boosting win over two of his strongest rivals, Misbun said Chong Wei has increased his chances at the World Championships in Nanjing from July 30-Aug 5 and the Asian Games in Indonesia from Aug 18-Sept 2.
Chong Wei has never won a world title despite many attempts and failed to win a gold medal at Asiad either.
In fact, Misbun believes that Chong Wei can stay at the top of his game over the next two years.
“I wasn’t surprised when Chong Wei said he wanted to play until the 2020,” said Misbun.
“He still has so much of fire in him. He has a vision. He knows what he wants and he works hard to get there.
“He’s very disciplined and that really makes a difference. You can never find another shuttler who refuses to slow down. He still trains like how he used to do 15 to 16 years ago.
“He takes care of his body well and he knows how to play it smart when dealing with younger rivals.
“He doesn’t feel that age is giving him problems,” added Misbun, who hoped others will emulate Chong Wei’s spirit and determination.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria said the national body would give Chong Wei continuous backing to realise his Olympic dream.
“We will provide Chong Wei with whatever support he needs to help him realise his lifelong ambition of becoming the world and Olympic champion,” said Norza.
“He’s still our No. 1 men’s singles shuttler and it’s only right for us to continue investing in him.”
Age is just a number for Chong Wei. He’s 35 but he is playing like he’s 26. Misbun Sidek