Badminton Malaysia Open 2014

Unlike most of the previous years, Malaysia Open 2014 was my second - not first - major event of the year, but the week started off with a very happening first day. I finally, for the first time in badminton events, put my Korean proficiency (albeit still seriously lacking in all ways) to good use. 

Awesome seat to work from while catching the matches in action.

Journalist friends from the local newspapers had requested for interviews with many Korean players that week, as they're all played their matches pretty well. I'm relieved to say that with my Korean skills, interviews after interviews were done without too much trouble. Towards the end of the week, I even had players approaching me immediately after their matches, expecting to be talked to. Oh how honoured, even more so as a long-time supporter of the Korean badminton team.

Most of us - if not all - know how close to impossible it has been to get an interview with Lee Yong Dae these years, but I'm glad to say that this year, we finally did get him to stay back and chat a bit - very nicely, I must add. My conversations/interactions with him reminded me of the boyish and cheeky Yong Dae he was during his youngster years. 

I seldom - if ever - look good in candid shots, do I? I'm perhaps a perfect epitome
of bitch resting face. Here I am, caught 'glaring' at Lee Chong Wei in an interview.
No, I was just listening attentively. ;)

Boonsak Ponsana, just as in Malaysia Open of the recent years, didn't play quite well that week. Given his age and physical condition, I was worried that once he leaves this time, he might never return to play in the Malaysia Open any more. I spoke to him the day he won his first match, and the next day when he lost to Japanese new star Kento Momota. It was heart-breaking. But as I was in an interview with Momota after his victory over Boonsak that day, Boonsak dropped by and handed me his shirt. It was a warm and touching gesture, yet my heart ached, thinking that it could possibly be our last interaction with him still competing actively.

I now recall that I had a fever that week, after possibly having contracted the flu bugs from some players I spoke to who were also sick that week. I was told to accompany Olympic champion and then Malaysia Open champion Li Xuerui on a TV interview as her interpreter. Geez, TVs make people look rounder - or wider. Plus, I looked unwell. But oh never mind, it's now part of history and my memory. Oh, and need I say that Li Xuerui is one of the nicest girls in the field? ;)

A picture together after the TV interview, and me borrowing her women's
singles champion cheque to pose with for a photo.

This page was written as a part of the entry on this blog
'2014: The year through my lenses'.