HOME GROUND DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD FOR CHINESE SHUTTLERS, SAYS COACH By Tham Choy Lin Bernama - Thursday, July 24 BEIJING, July 24 (Bernama) – The home advantage is a "double-edged sword" for China's badminton team, said head coach Li Yongbo whose players face the task of grabbing all five gold at stake in the Olympic Games here, next month. No country has achieved a clean sweep of the top honours since badminton made its debut in the 1992 Games in Barcelona. Hopes are mounting on top men's singles Lin Dan and the rest of the team including his girlfriend, Xie Xingfang in the singles. But Li admits that the home advantage could spell huge pressure on his players. "It is a double-edged sword. It depends on how players handle it and their own mental strength," he was quoted as saying by Xinhua News Agency. ******************************************************** What a contrast, China with a total 8 Olympic gold medals in badminton 'feeling the heat' despite the homeground advantage.
Wow, you've been busy . Good thing eagle didnt post any articles from the malay language press, that'll be another 50 posts George ah, work harder mah. Collect also articles from NST & Malay Mail, he he. For OG 2008, this job give to you.
KKK - Nice tats Star Online Friday August 1, 2008 Kien Keat has inked the word glory on his arm to remind him of mission in Beijing By RAJES PAUL KUALA LUMPUR: National doubles specialist Koo Kien Keat has a scar on his right hand – no thanks to a freak accident last month. Now, there’s another 'scar’ on his left hand – a tattoo with the world “glory” – to remind him to fight against the odds and win honours for the country at the Beijing Olympic Games. The stylish Kien Keat will be featuring in his first Olympic Games with Tan Boon Heong and hopes are high that the duo can make a difference for Malaysia in the men’s doubles event. Kien Keat said that he tattooed the word “glory” on the inside of his upper left hand to motivate himself to stand up to the tough challenges ahead in the Olympics. “I put a lot of thought in choosing this word – glory. Right now, I want glory more than money or anything else,” said Kien Keat after a training session at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday. On a mission: Koo Kien Keat working out with physical trainer Shaun Sturgess at the Bukit Jalil Gymnasium Thursday. He has tattooed the word ‘Glory’ on his arm to remind him of his task in Beijing – and that is to bring glory to the country. “Some people may look at this negatively and may even tease me if I do not bring back glory to the country. But to me, this word will remind me not to give up under any circumstances.” This year has not really been smooth sailing for the 23-year-old Kien Keat. He and Boon Heong failed to defend three major titles this year – in the Malaysian Open, All-England and Swiss Open. Their partnership also hit a rocky patch for a while. And last month, his Olympic dream was almost shattered when he suffered injuries to his right hand and right leg after a glass panel he was leaning on gave away at Bukit Jalil. Though his injuries have healed completely, there is a scar on his hand that serves as a reminder of the ugly incident. “I am happy that things are back in order for me,” he said. “The last two weeks have been great for Boon Heong and me. My coach (Rexy Mainaky) has been very supportive. Whenever we are down, Rexy is always there to lift us up with encouraging words.” The Olympic Games’ first round draw for the men’s doubles has thrown up some interesting match-ups. And Kien Keat has promised to give his best with Boon Heong when they take on Japan’s Shuichi Sakamoto-Shintaro Ikeda in the first round. The Malaysians have lost to the Japanese pair in their last two meetings. Besides the 2006 Asian Games gold medallists Kien Keat-Boon Heong, the other Malaysian doubles representatives are Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah. Malaysia have won three medals in the Olympic series thus far – all from badminton. The medallists are Razif-Jalani Sidek (doubles bronze at Barcelona 1992), Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock (doubles silver at Atlanta 1996 Atlanta) and Rashid Sidek (singles bronze at Atlanta 1996). ------------------------------------------------------------------------- I like how they described KKK - 'stylish'. Well, the lad is serious this time about taking the gold in Beijing with TBH. He tattooed the word 'Glory' on his left arm. The lad really see himself as the David Beckham of badminton.
It's a horrible move for transient achievements of the pair. KKK is a doubles player, not singles. -dave