Badminton Malaysia Open 2013

Finally.

Sorry for keeping you guys waiting(that's if any one out there is waiting, of course), I somehow felt the lost of motivation to blog. I don't know why, but I guess it's time I change the direction of this blog, maybe I should start to write something different than just daily rants. 

Anyway, Malaysia Open. It ended more than a week ago. I realised I'm almost always writing the same thing when it comes to events - experience, old and new people, memories, lessons, and insights. So I guess this time I shall make it different. Just bare in mind that I'm, as usual, thankful for all the new and old experience, people, memories and everything.

Memorable encounter with Boonsak Ponsana
No, in fact, which of the times I've met him could be considered otherwise?

1. Tall, polite, positive, Buddhist, humble, warm.
2. Going against Dato' Lee the next day.
3. Thai again.
4. Announced withdrawal from match against Dato' Lee due to fever.
    (In fact, Koo/Tan withdrew too, as Tan also had a fever)

---

At least, I should be glad I managed to spend some time with him
before he left.

Lee Dong Soo, Lee Yong Dae's handsome ex-coach

Most handsome, warm, caring coach out there, IMO.
I love how Lee Dong Soo's emotions show clearly when his players win.

Credits to Badmintonphoto.

Coach Lee Dong Soo left not long after the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, where Lee Yong Dae and Lee Hyo Jung won the gold medal in mixed doubles. I heard he left to coach the National Sports University of Korea, and I've been waiting for the day of his return to the national team. Finally, he's back and I met him in Malaysia.

I almost melted the moment he stopped to talk to me and our eyes met. He was the first person I conversed to in Korean at the Malaysia Open this year. Caring and polite. Ohdearme, making sure the fangirlism doesn't take over me.

Now, I'm just glad he's back (probably to stand in for the coach who left after the London Olympic controversy).

People and things to remember

1. Nozomi Okuhara, a young Japanese singles player, only 17 years of
    age. Petite young lady was world junior champion last year. She's
    really sweet, trying to speak English although there was a Japanese
    translator. She'd probably be one of the top in women's singles soon.
2. Ko Sung Hyun, the ex-partner of Yoo Yeon Seong and new partner of
    Lee Yong Dae. Polite and nice.
3. Tai Tzu Ying, 18 y/o but already a big name. I like how she thinks.
    Positive and humble. 順其自然 (just go with the flow) is what she
    always says.

Kenichi Tago was nice as usual. His English skills is definitely not as good as Okuhara's, but he tries to speak, though he uses a lot of body language as he is often out of words most of the time.  

Us and Tai Tzu Ying after she won the finals.

Photo thanks to Edwin Leung, a very experienced badminton photographer.

Although our meals weren't supplied earlier in the week, we were given pizza on the weekends. Apart from that, we also got a Maybank Malaysia Open shirt - though they ran out of sizes, and the one I got was big enough for me to make it a sleeping gown(short and sexy, that is).  

While people(or maybe just one person) had mentioned the fact that Proton used to treat us better when they were the sponsor, I guess Maybank isn't too bad? 

My dinner for most of the days: Bun/bread and a warm drink, often past
midnight. I'm just glad I love my work, so I won't complain. :-)

End

On finals day, after their match, I spoke to Ko Sung Hyun to thank him for his kindness throughout the week. I just felt he deserved more of the attention and appreciation that is often showered onto Lee Yong Dae.

Me oily-faced after work ended on finals' day.

His smile was heart-warming, despite the loss in the finals, and I liked the way he thanked me for thanking him(that makes sense, right?). I'm glad I got his shirt, although it was soaking in sweat as he took it off right after our conversation and handed it to me.

Ko Sung Hyun was the third person I conversed to in Korean that week. Wait, so who's the second? 

It was Lee Yong Dae. ;-)

There goes my long entry about the week. This should be lengthy enough to keep the blog alive for some time, I hope!

Ah yes, do note, as I always do, I write on my blog as a non-professional fan of the sport, not as myself as a badminton writer. Therefore, the fangirlism which you may sense in this entry has nothing to do with me at work. Haha. :-)