If there’s one thing that can unite Malaysians regardless of race and religion, it has to be sports. And no, it’s not only football.
Badminton has been celebrated in our country since the times of Punch Gunalan, Sidek brothers, and now to a certain player who has seen success big time – Lee Chong Wei.
When you speak of this humble Malaysian player, you immediately think of top level badminton action. That sums it up perfectly.
But let’s face it. Time is running out for Chong Wei.
I mean, we are talking about a player who once held the men singles world number one title for a record breaking 199 consecutive weeks (from 21 August 2008 to 14 June 2012).
Fast forward today, the “national hero” has just suffered his fourth World Championship final defeat, making it the worst spell of his downfall so far.
As impressive as his career is, let’s take a look at few reasons why his loss was expected.
1. The Age Factor
You can’t argue that after representing the country for a long period of time, age is finally catching up to the Perak-born shuttler. Chong Wei is currently 32 years old, where as Chen Long, his opponent last Sunday, is 26 years old.
If you look at the final, Chen Long impressed with his wide range of court-covering and blistering smashes that left Chong Wei trailing. Years ago Chong Wei was inflicting the same pain, using his stamina as an advantage and playing rallies to wear down opponents.
You can see why Chen Long has also taken over from the aging Lin Dan as the top Chinese male player.
2. Injury
Right before the start of World Championships, Chong Wei had an exhausting training session that caused a blister to form on his right toe. Coach Hendrawan then advised him to take rest, missing one-two training sessions before the competition got underway
Although Chong Wei got past the first two rounds unscathed, he did admit that he faced a less challenging competitor with worrying signs of worsening the injury.
It is debatable whether or not his injury was bad, but it certainly affected his usual aggressive approach towards the game.
3. Aftermath of Doping Scandal
In any sport, the form of a player is judged by the continuity of their performances, no matter good or bad. In Chong Wei’s case, his form was certainly tainted by his eight-month suspension due to an anti-doping regulation violation.
He did make an impressive comeback since then, helping Malaysia in the Sudirman Cup, besides winning back to back titles; US Open and Canada Open.
Nevertheless, Chong Wei never looked like the player he used to be, and that was exposed in the final where Chen Long completely outplayed him in the first set, and raced to a six-point lead by the interval in the second game.
4. Pressure
Chong Wei may be one of the most decorated players in badminton, but he is the ONLY shuttler from the current generation of Malaysians to make this big of a mark on the international scene.
From former shuttlers such as Wong Choong Hann and Muhammad Hafiz Hashim, to the current generation of players – Daren Liew, Zulfadli Zulkiffli and Chong Wei Feng – all of them lacked the capability that exists in Chong Wei.
Regardless of how much a player denies it, he will eventually succumb to the expectations and pressure of being the only athlete his country can depend on in a particular sport.
Next year’s Olympics will probably mark the end of an era, as Chong Wei has already made it clear that it will be his last attempt at glory. The Malaysian intended to retire after the London Olympics but his quest for the elusive gold medal convinced him to give himself another shot in Rio de Janeiro.
Lee Chong Wei can certainly count himself as a national badminton icon, and the full measure of his greatness knows no measure to the millions of adoring Malaysian fans. Such is his impact, that while there may be many more ‘Lin Dans’ and ‘Chen Longs’ in future, there will only be one Lee Chong Wei.
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