Skip to main content

Historic win for Chong Wei

Record breaker: Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei (right) celebrates after beating Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia in the men’s singles final of the Malaysian Open at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. He won 21-7 21-8. Record breaker: Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei (right) celebrates after beating Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia in the men’s singles final of the Malaysian Open at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. He won 21-7 21-8.
 
FATHER-TO-BE Lee Chong Wei nailed a historic ninth Malaysian Open title in ruthless fashion at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
And after blowing away Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia with a 21-7, 21-8 win in just 32 minutes in the men’s singles final, the 30-year-old Chong Wei said he would not slow down in his chase for more honours.

“I will strike a balance. I will be a father this year and both my family and badminton are important to me,” said Chong Wei, who confirmed that his wife Wong Mew Choo is expecting a child.

“Having been an athlete before, Mew Choo is really understanding. I will have to juggle my time to stay focused on my game and also be a responsible family man. Family is important to me,” he added.
On going one title better than the late Wong Peng Soon, Chong Wei said he was thrilled to bits.
“It is not easy for a player to win nine home titles. I must thank all my fans for their support. The crowd at the Putra Stadium today was the biggest so far. I appreciate that,” said Chong Wei.

Yesterday, he entertained his fans by going for a ferocious attack against Sony. He hardly gave the Indonesian the time and space to counter his moves and constantly slammed down smashes at every opportunity to further frustrate the former World Championships runner-up.

“I went on an attack mode against Sony today and it paid off. I analysed his game against Kenichi Tago (on Saturday) and read his game well. It is a good win,” said Chong Wei.
The 28-year-old Sony was philosophical in defeat.

“This match against Chong Wei showed where I stand. I am still two to three steps behind him. He is certainly one class above me,” said the Indonesian.
After winning the back-to-back Korean Open and Malaysian Open, Chong Wei said he was still hungry for more success.

In fact, the 10-time national champion is game to go for the 10th Malaysian Open title.
“I know that age is catching up. I will be 31 (in October). But I am still motivated to do well in international tournaments. Next Malaysian Open? Yes, why not,” he said, flashing a wide grin.
“I am also considering playing in the local tournaments this year again. Local tournaments are also important.”

Chong Wei’s immediate target, however, is the All-England in Birmingham from March 5-10. The other major outings are the Sudirman Cup in May and the World Championships in Guangzhou in August.

“China’s Lin Dan will probably make a return at the All-England. It will be more challenging, but I will be ready for it,” said Chong Wei, who picked up US$30,000 to add to the US$75,000 he won in Seoul.
 
HOW CHONG WEI WON
First round: bt Viktor Axelsen (Den) 21-8, 21-10
Second round: bt Boonsak Ponsana Tha) w.o.
Quarter-finals: bt Hu Yun (Hkg)21-12, 21-9
Semi-finals: bt Jan O Jorgensen (Den) 21-13, 17-21, 21-12
Final: bt Sony Dwi Kuncoro (Ina) 21-7, 21-8



THE STAR

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ex-coach's jail sentence cut to a year

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal yesterday sentenced former athletics coach C. Ramanathan to 12 months' jail for molesting two junior athletes 19 years ago. A three-man bench led by Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus unanimously dismissed Ramanathan's appeal against conviction, but varied the jail sentence of four years to a year, which was to run concurrently. Following yesterday's ruling, Ramanathan, 75, a former teacher, walked out a free man as he had served 10 months in Kajang Prison. Convicts get one-third remission for good behaviour while in prison. However, he will lose his pension. Hishamudin, who sat with Datuk Abdul Wahab Patail and Datuk Linton Albert, said the court found no merit to overturn the conviction. "However, in reducing the sentence, we considered Ramanathan's age and the long years the appeal has taken." Deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud submitted that then High Court judge Tan Sri Abdull Hamid E...
2 comments
Read more

Govt Always Gives Emphasis To Sporting Culture, Says PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badaw i said the government always gives emphasis on cultivating a strong sporting culture in achieving excellence at the international level. As such, the Prime Minister said, it was important to scout for young talents in sports. "I observe that the Malaysia Games (Sukma) has become one of the important platforms to do so. "In this arena, the potentials and skills of the youngsters can be identified for development so that they can achieve greater success in sports," he said in his message in the souvenir book of the 12th Sukma from May 31 until June 9. Abdullah said he was aware that competition in sports was very keen and challenging but this did not mean that Malaysian athletes were incapable of competing at the international level. "The fact is that we have all the characteristics required to be excellent. We must inculcate a strong fighting spirit so that we don't easily surrender,...
1 comment
Read more

Indonesia Choose Komodo Dragon As SEA Games Mascot

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) -- Host for the 26th SEA Games, Indonesia has chosen the Komodo dragon as mascot for the 2011 Games which will be held in Jakarta and Palembang from Nov 11 to 25. The Indonesia SEA Games Organizing Committee (Inasoc), was qouted by Jakarta Post as saying that a pair of Komodo dragons, a male (Modo) and a female (Modi), were chosen in recognition of the Republic's conservation efforts to protect the dwindling number of the rare lizard. Modo and Modi were unveiled last night at a function in Jakarta, to mark the 200-day countdown before the games open on Nov 11 in Palembang. The Komodo dragons, the largest lizard in the world, only live on the Indonesian islands of Komodo in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. On Jan 15, Inasoc unveiled its logo, a Garuda eagle, to symbolize the power and grandeur of Indonesia. Indonesia dominated the Games between 1977, when it first competed, and 1997, failing to top the medal charts only twice in that p...
1 comment
Read more