Wong Choong Hann
Who would have thought
about any child, like Wong Choong Hann, at the tender age of 10 started learning
badminton leisurely; being one of the world’s most feared players today? At 11,
he joined the school team and many times, he ended up as only the second best.
During that time, it was considered outstanding to achieve such position and
many people praised his talent. But today as a national player, the public
certain
ly
expects him to be a champion, rather than being placed runner-up in 6
international Grand Prix since 1999, especially when he is playing for Malaysia
– a country with high expectations on this particular racquet sport.
Finally, he managed to break the jinx by capturing the 2002 Dutch Open. However, winning this two-star tournament did not content some quarters as they classified the Dutch Open a low-rated tournament. Luckily, he managed to prove them wrong by emerging as a winner in the 2002 China Open beating an on-form Chinese Chen Hong in the finals.
When he first started out on badminton, it was financially difficult for him and his family. Maybe it was the main factor that he succeeds in his career today. He wants to show his gratitude to his parents who had sacrificed and supported him all this while. As an adolescent, he was never free. He used to travel quite a distant to get to the BAM training camp and he even tried to get free rides a few times. By moving heaven and earth, he has finally become a professional player today.
His first massive break on
the badminton circuit was 1994 in the Dutch and German Junior Championship.
Achieving much better than he expected i.e. runner-up in Holland, he gained m
ore
confident in working harder because his trainings were fruitful. At 1998, he was
a surprise gold medalist at the KL Commonwealth Games. He was only called to
replace Rashid Sidek at the last minute. Furthermore, he also won the Dutch Open
that same year.
He is also known as a slow-starter because he often allows his opponent to lead in a game before gradually catching up. According to a recent article, his former coach, Indra Gunawan stated that Choong Hann is often playful is not really serious during training. However, he puts his best foot forward when he competes in tournaments. In my opinion, if he would have been more serious during trainings, he would have achieved much better, rather than being runner-up and win his matches rapidly.
When off court, he simply enjoys going for movies, to pubs and restaurant to have mouth-watering spicy food. (according to the worldbadminton.net)
To him,
the worst thing about being a world-class shuttler is being in the public eye.
It is nice to get noticed by the public but he needs peace if mind and privacy.
[So, Choong Hann’s fan out there, better do not disturb him if he is in a bad
mood :) ]
When playing, his aim is self-satisfaction because he looks forward into getting self-improvement. The 2nd priority only goes to money and incentives. He needs money to support his living, of course.
Winning the China Open means a lot for him as he sees this as a major step for his career, especially as he came back from wrist surgery the year before. He even broke the record of being the first Malaysian to become the the first runner-up in the prestigious 2003 World Championship by losing to Xia Xuanze in the finals in an electrifying three-round game. However, he could not live up to our expectation in the Athens Olympic Games. Although he lost to Taufik Hidayat who eventually became the gold medallist, he was the one who gave Taufik a run for his money.
Right now, there are two
opponents which I feel that Choong Hann had some problems on winning them. They
are Xia Xuanze and the relatively weaker player, Hafiz Hashim. I guess it is
really frustrating to lose to someone like Xia Xuanze for 8 consecutive times
and Hafiz Hashim who are often being drawn
as the same half as Choong Hann is some tournaments.
I do feel that Choong Hann's form has been dropping bit by bit after the Olympic. As I am not an expert in badminton, my view is only touching the surface this topic - skill. I do believe that Choong Hann has his own style of playing, preferring a rally game than an attacking game. Although it is not as exciting as players as Lin Dan who loves to smash and makes the shuttle travels fast, it seems to me that Choong Hann always like to play variety of shots. Like what I've seen in the Olympics against Taufik, Choong Hann always tried to slow down the speed of the game but according to him, the wind was the factor of his loss ; )
At the moment, from my some of my sources, Choong Hann is believed to be studying at HELP Institute (not sure about the course, but it's something to do with either Management or Business) And I guess because of Choong Hann and some ex-national players studying there, the HELP Institute is so kind enough to be holding this annual badminton clinic around Malaysia with the presence of our ex-national players like Soo Beng Kiang, Ang Li Peng, Liew Gavin, Yeoh Kay Lun [the hottie!! ; )] Law Pei Pei and others.
Q: What do you always have in mind when you are having a match?
A: I am always a bit nervous and excited but after playing for a couple of years, I know more about my opponents.
Q: How do you feel when you are trailing in a match?
A: I'll rest for 5 minutes and listen to the coach's advices. Then I will just try hard for the next game.
Q
: What
is your hobby?
A: I like to read books and watch movies. When I do this, I can release my stress. I read magazines, books and newspaper. I will even also watch those movies that very few people watch.
Q: Will you read the reports written about you (after an interview)?
A: I am a bit excited because I want to know what I have said and how it is written on the news. I also like to know what photo they will publish but I do not read all these on purpose.
Q: Are you a different person when off-court? Are you afraid that your fans might recognize you when you're watching a movie??
A: Usually, I don't dress nicely on purpose but I do not mind being recognized. I will greet them if they recognize me.
Q: As an international badminton player, is there anything to share with everyone here? How did you balance your studies and sports at the same time?
A: As a student and a badminton player, I had problems on time limit. My experience was, if you want to be good in your studies, you need to use a lot of time but you must know how to arrange your time between studies and sports. If a match is drawing near, more time will be needed for sports. If a test is in a few weeks' time, then put all the attention to your studies. Although this method might not work, but if you do it the correct way, you'll know the secret to success.
Q: What was your feelings when you emerged as a champion for the first time?
A: First, I felt that it was a big success. Secondly, it was a courage for me to excel next time.
Q: What is the most memorable match in 15 years?
A: Playing with Chen Hong in Malaysia Open. I learned a lot of tactics from him, eg. never giving up.
Q: Your idol is Zhao Jien Hwa. Can you tell us what do you admire about him?
A: I like the way he plays badminton. He is fast on court and he's very careful in every shot. About the chicken rice he cooks, I've never tried his recipe. I wonder if he will ask me to try (laughs).
Questions from badminton fans:
Q: You have achieved well in so many matches, so what is your next aim?
A: In the World Championship(12-18 May 2003) and also the gold medal in 2004 Athens Olympic (awww, he didn't make is dream come true)
Q: What type of girls do you like?
A: The most important thing is the right feeling, feeling comfortable to communicate but this is a very personal thing to me, so it is very hard to say.
Q: Is there any special request, like long hair?
A: Long or short hair is not a problem.
Q: Do you have any lover?
A: (laughs) I have a lot of girls which I like but no lover. *(meaning??? no lover yet or no lover at the moment??)*
Q: Must your future girlfriend have knowledge about badminton?
A: No.
Q: What result did you get from playing badminton since you were young?
A: The result is about the whole learning process. I have learned how to overcome problems, failure and how to stand up after failure.
Q: Did learning badminton help in your daily life?
A: I've got into the community earlier, get to know different people, got a lot of friends and helped me to be more mature.
Q:
How did you stand
up after failure?
A: After 2000, I felt down because I did not do well in my matches. Then I didn't perform well for quite a period until I got first again. The reason is I do not give up and continue to do better. Besides, my friends and fans also continue to support me.
Q: What do you think about Hafiz and Bao Chunlai?
A: Hafiz is a talented badminton player and mature in playing badminton. He is also very patient for a 20-year-old player. It's because he enters the badminton world early and even goes for many matches. Bao Chunlai is not bad. He is also a left-handed player and he has Zhao Jien Hwa's talent.
Reporters' questions:
Q: You know speak very well (in Mandarin). Did you ever have any practices?
A: No. I studied in a Chinese primary school and I took Chinese lessons during Form 1 and 2. I learned my Chinese through reading books. Besides. I can converse well in Chinese about badminton because I have played with the China players.
Q: In our country we seldom have sports conference. What about in other countries? Do they have a lot?
A: Yes. They have badminton
players to meet with their fans. I have been to an autograph session to sign
cards for them
so that they could keep them as memory.
Q: How do you think about badminton star?
A: I feel that it is ok. They could meet their fans and a lot of youngsters will attend.
Q: Do you mind being a either a badminton star or a badminton idol?
A: I don't mind if I do well.
Q: You dyed your hair in yellow colour. You like this type of image? (that was his image during the 2002 Commonwealth Games at Manchester)
A: (laughs) Actually, I did not intend to dye my hair. The hairdresser asked me whether I want to dye my hair and I said ok but I got a shock after he had done my hair. I felt that the colour was too bright. After getting my hair cut for a few times, the colour was gone. I feel that changes of hair colour made me have different feelings.
Q: What was your ambition when you were small?
A: To be either a pilot or a doctor because all of us (classmates) wrote this for a n essay. But I did not even think I'll be a badminton player (laughs)
Q: Lastly, what would you like to say to your fans?
A: I want to thank for their support and to them who always greet me when they see me on streets. I will always play my best so that there will always be somebody who supports me. Thank you.
