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Chong Wei wants world title to secure fifth national award

Lee Chong Wei has declared that he wants to pick up one more National Sportsman Award next year. Lee Chong Wei has declared that he wants to pick up one more National Sportsman Award next year.
 
PETALING JAYA: Welcoming a new addition to the family has made shuttler Lee Chong Wei more determined than ever to pursue new goals.

Chong Wei, who became the proud father to son Kingston last Friday, has declared that he wants to pick up one more National Sportsman Award next year, making it a total of five altogether.

If he succeeds, Chong Wei will be the most decorated male athlete in national sporting history.
Chong Wei, who also won the national award in 2005, 2008 and 2011, is tied with current men’s singles coach Rashid Sidek, who emerged triumphant in 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1996.

Squash queen Nicol David holds the most wins for a female athlete – seven altogether starting from 1999 and 2003 to 2010 before diver Pandelela Rinong took over.

And how can Chong Wei make sure of a fifth award? By going one step better at the coming World Championships in Guangzhou this August.

Chong Wei will be the country’s brightest hope to end the long wait for a badminton world title when he competes in Guangzhou.
He came close to ending the drought when the world meet last took place in London in 2001, losing a closely-fought final contest.

“This is my main goal this year. I hope to make the final at the world meet and, hopefully, end up one step better.

“I’m optimistic luck will be on my side as I just welcomed my new child and now this.
“I believe I had the upper hand after winning another Olympic medal.
“I hope I can continue to win again next year,” he said, referring to the National Sportsman trophy he was clutching.

On whether he will be playing in the two coming back-to-back tournaments – the India Open Super Series in New Delhi from April 23-28 and the Malaysian Open GP Gold at the Juara Stadium from April 30-May 4, Chong Wei said he will decide by this week.

“It’ll depend on my performance in training first. If I do not go, I will stay back to rest and wait for the Sudirman Cup next month (in Putra Stadium).”

Malaysia will be counting on Chong Wei to lead the team to at least a repeat of their best achievement in the premier world mixed team event – reaching the semi-finals at the 2010 edition in Guangzhou.



By LIM TEIK HUAT - THE STAR

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