DJ Dave a smash hit in badminton
GEORGE TOWN: Datuk DJ Dave, who ruled the airwaves in the 70s, is holding “court” of a different kind.
The veteran singer, playing in his first international competition in Malaysia, won a bronze medal with Foo Lai Loon in the men’s badminton doubles 70+ category at the Asia Pacific Masters Games 2018.
Showing that age is just a number, the veteran singer also made it to the quarter-finals before losing to New Zealand’s Agus Husin in the men’s singles 70+ category.
He also took part in the men’s doubles 65+ category but could not get past the group stage with his partner Bruni Zaini Garip.
Dave, who turned 70 in February, said he should have just focussed on playing in two events instead of three.
“I had to play many games on the opening day as most of the matches went to rubber games and the matches were held close to one another. I got too tired and there was no time to recover.
“But still, I am happy to have managed a bronze with a tired body and mind.
“The competition was strong as there were participants from 19 countries and there were top players who have many won competitions,” he said.
Dave took up badminton seriously at the age of 52 by signing up to compete in veteran competitions.
He made his international debut at the 2013 World Morning Cup badminton championship in Taiwan, where he won two silver medals (for singles and doubles).
Paying great emphasis on health, he starts his day with a five-minute breathing exercise and does pushups, sit-ups and squats every morning, besides playing badminton.
He will take part in three other badminton tournaments in China and Sri Lanka in November and Thailand in December.
The highlight yesterday was the men’s doubles 35+ final where Badminton Association of Malaysia representatives Muhammad Hafiz Hashim and Sairul Amar Ayob were involved
The two ex-national stars beat the Indonesia-Sri Lanka scratch partnership of Muhammad Muhammad- Amil Yatapana 21-19, 21-15 in 30 minutes.
The Games was closed by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the SPICE Convention Centre roof garden yesterday.
There were joget and boria dance performances, with a fireworks display lighting up the Penang skyline to mark the closure. The Games was held in Asia for the first time, with 5,564 participants from 64 countries taking part in 22 sports at various venues in here.