As he walked out of the arrival hall at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, it was obvious that Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Malaysia's beloved badminton champion, was already anticipating the line-up of cameras and microphones waiting for him.
"Datuk! Over here! Please Datuk!" were the cries from the reporters who had been waiting patiently the past hour at the airport.
Chong Wei smiled and nodded a sign that he would indulge the crowd. He readied himself as the cameramen readied themselves. He was in a very positive mood. And why wouldn't he be? He had won three tournaments in a row, the latest being the Hong Kong open where he beat world number ten Tian Houwei in the finals, and is where he is returning from tonight.
One of the tournaments, the China Open, was were he did the almost impossible. He slayed the Chinese in their own backyard, beating world number three Lin Dan in the semis and then world number one Chen Long to take the championship.
"I feel that the worst is already over. I managed to get through the toughest point in my career and I have to say that I'm more confident now," he said, summing up the past seven months.
The doping case against Chong Wei late 2014 that saw the former world number one suspended from badminton for eight months also saw him dropping to 180 in the world ranking. Since May this year, he has clawed his way up to sixth position. And he has played his last tournament of the year. He failed to qualify for the Superseries finals in Dubai next month due to insufficient points.
"I want to concentrate on improving myself, physically and definitely mentally, for next year," he said, obviously referring to that one elusive title – an Olympic gold medal.
He has been and will be working very closely with his coaches Hendrawan and Tey Seu Bock. But the pressure is definitely there – from himself, and also from the entire nation.
There were calls from Malaysians for him to resign a few months ago when he was knocked out in the early stages of the Japan, Korea and Denmark Open. But now that he has started winning again, the applause couldn't be any louder. And Chong Wei says he will never give up.
"Chong Wei carries the pressure of the entire country. It definitely isn't fair, but nothing is fair in this world, and especially not in sports!" said Kenny Goh, the general manager of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
The objective of BAM has always been clear. They want an Olympic gold medal and whatever support they can give to Malaysia's badminton hero, they will. And the relationship between them and the two-time Olympic silver medalist has never been better.
"I know Chen Long and the others will be gunning after me now. So I have to make sure that I don't slack," he said without a wince.
As the questions from reporters started to die down, Chong Wei smiled and slowly signalled his withdrawal from the impromptu press conference outside KLIA's arrival hall. The reporters understood the cue and everyone congratulated and thanked him.
As he walked towards the exit, a group of fans stopped him and requested for selfies. Just as how he obliged the reporters, he did so too with his fans. It was obvious that the fighting spirit in him is still as strong, if not stronger, than always. Let's just all hope that he stays on track as he prepares for the biggest win of his career.
Zan Azlee
Wed Nov 25 2015
Chong Wei speaking to reporters moments after he arrived at the KLIA Wednesday evening. - Photo by Zan Azlee
Zahid minta pihak dalam BN buka "buku baharu"
Ahmad Zahid menegaskan senario politik tanah air sudah berubah dan terdapat banyak video lama dari parti lawan yang meminta pengundi menyokong DAP.
Malaysia kongsi pengalaman dalam usaha berterusan mempertahan Palestin
Delegasi negara akan berkongsikan peranan Malaysia dalam usaha berterusan mempertahankan nasib Palestin dalam Persidangan Liga Parlimen Al-Quds kelima yang berlangsung di Istanbul, Turki pada Sabtu.
Universiti Malaya mohon maaf kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia
Jabatan Pengajian Antarabangsa dan Strategik, Universiti Malaya memohon maaf kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia berhubung kenytaaan tidak bertanggungjawab Profesor Dr Bruce Gilley pada 24 April lalu.
Genting Malaysia nafi terbabit perbincangan
Selepas Berjaya Corporation Bhd dan Kerajaan Negeri Johor, kini Genting Malaysia Bhd pula menafikan sebarang penglibatan dalam perbincangan mengenai pengoperasian kasino di Forest City, Johor.
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Sabtu, 27 April 2024.
Lima cedera dalam tembakan di luar kelab malam di Washington
Lima cedera dalam insiden tembakan di luar sebuah kelab malam di Washington, Amerika Syarikat pada lewat Jumaat.
Potensi dilanda tsunami, pihak berkuasa tingkatkan amaran
Pihak berkuasa Indonesia tingkatkan lagi amaran Gunung Ruang di Sulawesi dengan mengeluarkan amaran tsunami susulan berlakunya sekali lagi letusan gunung ruang di wilayah Sulawesi utara pada Rabu.
Houthi tembak Kapal Tangki Minyak Andromeda Star di Laut Merah
Kumpulan Houthi terus melancarkan serangan ke atas kapal komersial di Laut Merah dan terbaharu serangan peluru berpandu mengenai kapal tangki minyak Andromeda Star.
Ratusan rumah, bangunan rosak dibadai puting beliung
Ratusan rumah, bangunan dan ladang ternakan di Omaha, Nebraska rosak akibat kejadian Puting beliung yang membadai kawasan itu pada petang Jumaat.
Hamas sudah terima maklum balas Israel mengenai cadangan gencatan senjata
Rundingan sebelum ini pada November lepas menyaksikan pembebasan 81 rakyat Israel dan 24 warga asing dengan pertukaran 240 warga Palestin termasuk 71 wanita dan 169 kanak-kanak.
Pemain Astro Kem Badminton berpeluang berlatih dengan jurulatih dari BAM
Menurut Ketua Jurulatih Astro Kem Badminton 2024, Lee Wan Wah latihan intensif selama 5 hari itu merupakan satu peluang terbaik untuk pemain merasai pengalaman berlatih seperti untuk mewakili negara.
Thomas Cup: Permulaan cemerlang buat Malaysia
Malaysia bermula cemerlang pada perlawanan pembukaan Piala Thomas 2024, dengan menewaskan Hong Kong 5-0 hari ini.
Piala Thomas: Leong Jun Hao lakar kebangkitan, pastikan kemenangan Malaysia!
Leong Jun Hao melakar kebangkitan memastikan Malaysia memperoleh kemenangan ke atas wakil Hong Kong, Angus Ng Ka Long.
Piala Thomas: Lee Zii Jia beri mata pertama buat Malaysia!
Kemenangan straight set benarkan Malaysia raih mata pertama dalam aksi peringkat kumpulan saingan Piala Thomas berdepan Hong Kong.
Thomas Cup: Zii Jia ketepikan 'kegoyahan' kem perseorangan lelaki negara
Lee Zii Jia tidak mahu terlalu memikirkan situasi kem perseorangan negara yang kurang mantap menjelang aksi pembukaan Kumpulan D saingan Piala Thomas 2024 berdepan Hong Kong, esok.
Misi menamatkan kemarau Piala Thomas di Chengdu diteruskan
Menang besar atau balik, itu situasi menanti pasukan badminton lelaki negara yang berhasrat untuk mengukir nama mereka dalam sejarah.
Kem badminton perlu main peranan masing-masing untuk julang Piala Thomas
Semangat kerjasama ditunjukkan kem badminton ketika itu merupakan kunci kejayaan utama Malaysia berhasil menjulang piala itu, 32 tahun lepas.
Piala Thomas: Ganjaran BAM bakar semangat pemain - Wooi Yik
Wooi Yik berkata kejayaan itu hanya mampu dicapai sekiranya mereka sepakat untuk mempamerkan 'magis' bersama rakan-rakan lain dalam kejohanan berpasukan.
Badminton Masters Malaysia: Lee Zii Jia pilihan ke-8 kejohanan
Lee Zii Jia bakal menjadi pemain pilihan kelapan kejohanan Badminton Masters Malaysia dalam kategori perseorangan lelaki.
Lima pasukan jadi pilihan julang Piala Uber 2024
Koea Selatan boleh menjangkakan saingan sengit daripada kuasa besar seperti China, Jepun serta pasukan baru dalam saingan Piala Uber.