I think quite the contrary @Victor68 I think the fact he is still here at a world class level is purely because of the level of effort he puts in. Someone like Taufik was way more talented than him, but he flamed out fast, simply because he didn't put in the work the same way. He may not be a natural player, but who cares, natural or not natural, the dude is still one of the greatest of all time, and continues to be on that level tournament in, tournament out. It's a testament to the power of work ethic, and as long as he keeps it up, I think the sky is the limit
hope LCW's juniors need to buckle up for the next 2 years, because after LCW retired, there will be no other LCW for Malaysia badminton glory...
actually a few younger players are not bad. even the ladies. wonder why Malaysia got and singapore cannot produce. their sport management better than us or simply attitude toward sport is different.
What a drama in those last moment in the 2nd set. If you were here NOW to watch then I can bet that even if team Argentina vs France schedule were at the same time then, you will still watch these two players playing . When you thought momota is going to take the 2nd set after trailing Dato for all this while and then lead 20-19 then.... you're wrong. When that dreaded lucky net cord happen at 21 - 21 that made Dato now the favourite to win the 2nd set, your waiting to see Dato 12th MO title was again delayed by that Hawk Eye heart rate sound effect ordered by momota in his last effort to change the tide but man.. ..... You can just feel how Dato feels when he knows that he's the champ and then slowly fell down facing face first on the backcourt carpet mate for few second and then rise and hug momota. 21-17 23-21 You GOT to respect momota. Unbeaten since March 2018, his defeat requires the best out of Dato today plus the mighty fan support here in Malaysia. I truly believe if momota managed to drag the game to the decider then Dato will indeed be in deep trouble. Congrats Dato for winning your 12th MO title
What a resounding, memorable and well-deserved victory by Lee Chong Wei at the MAS Open'18 Final and defeating the most in-form and difficult player to beat at the moment, the resurgent Kento Momota. Without a shadow of a doubt, it is an impressive feat, the more so for a 35-year-old. Just as remarkable, it is a match of the highest order of magnitude in quality as far as a rallying controlled game with sudden injection of pace goes, in my humble opinion. My heartiest congratulations to Lee Chong Wei, the Evergreen, for clinching a record-breaking 12th MAS Open championship.
Chong Wei did exactly what I suggested Chen Long should have done in the Thomas Cup. Variation is key! Not always blocking Momota's neutralizing drops to the net. But flicking them back, pushing them and so on. That's why he won. Excellent variation, deception and net play.
Final line challenge was not by Momota but by LCW himself! His own countryman linesman had called in Momota's push to his baseline. LCW was about to collapse on the ground in celebration... but that had to wait a minute later when Hawk-Eye eventually called it out by truly a whisker. That was an incredible match. LCW looked destined to win with luck on his side with net rolls off the tape reply to net rolls off the tape and multiple net cords in his favour. Amazing how fired up LCW was. Amazing how Momota was able to catch up in G2. Too bad he didn't push LCW to a decider... now that would've been very interesting to watch. A classic match to remember and rewatch. Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk
What a match it was! It’s already a classic. Not only I greatly appreciated the skills of both players, I’m most impressed and inspired by the performance of LCW at 35 years old. Still competing at the highest level, at this age in an olympic sport, it is just mind blowing.
Haha.... My apologies....i thought it was momota who called it..... The atmosphere and distance to his court at that time maybe blurred my vision....but damn it was a great match
Oh god what a epic battle it was. His match against Axelsen during the Thomas cup was on the same physical level of intensity but this one had also a layer of FATE and DRAMA caused by all those net cords and public presence. Kudos to Lee Chong Wei for challenging the most dangerous net player at the moment and holding his attacking style all the way. Last time I've experienced such emotional tension was during his semi final of the Olympics. Its hard to grasp how can they handle such pressure while still producing clever shots and initiatives.
in today game, basic strokes all have. so it is about doing something different and a killer stroke. CL don't have them. either he brush up or he will never be no. 1. LD have but not consistent. so hardworking LCW may have another year to run.
because he get influenced by his old batch in year 2000-2004 which got Ong Ewe Hock, Wong Choong Hann, Lee Tsuen Seng, Choong Tan Fook, Lee Wan Wah, Roslin Hashim, Hafiz Hashim, Chan Chong Ming, Chew Choon Eng etc... by that time the social media such as facebook, youtube, instagram etc doesn't exist yet, so that time they just focus on training, training and training...