Chong Wei pays tribute to ‘tough’ coaches who shaped his career

Lee Chong Wei has paid tribute to Misbun Sidek, Rashid Sidek, Morten Frost and all the other coaches that had shaped his career which spanned two decades.

“Few more days before waving goodbye to 2019. 2019 has been a roller-coaster ride for me physically and emotionally. I like to take a moment, and thank all my coaches.

“Datuk Misbun Sidek, The Peng Huat, the late Indra Gunawan, Li Mao, Rashid Sidek, Morten Frost, Datuk Tey Seu Bock, Hendrawan and many others guided me along the way. Not only polishing my badminton skills but also building my personality to who I am now.

“Without them, I wouldn’t have had the chance to play for my country. They were tough in training, very tough until some days my mind went blank to over exerting myself. There were moments I vomited on the court. Hundreds of times I went home with cramps.

“They were tough and strict, as they wanted to bring out the best out of me. Will always be grateful for what they have done for me,” Lee posted on Instagram.

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Few more days before waving goodbye to 2019. 2019 has been a roller-coaster ride for me, physically and emotionally. I'd like to take a moment, and thank all my coaches. Datuk Misbun Sidek, Teh Peng Huat, the late Indra Gunawan, Li Mao, Rashid Sidek, Morten Frost, Datuk Tey Seu Bock, Hendrawan and many others guided me along the way. Not only polishing my badminton skills but also building my personality to who I am now. Without them, I wouldn’t have the chance to play for my country. They were tough in training, very tough till there were some days my mind went blank due to over exerting myself. There were moments I vomited on the court. Hundreds of times I went home with cramps. Never did I complain as I knew they could have been easy with me, took their paycheck easily and life went on. They were tough and strict, as they want to bring out the best out of me. Will always be grateful for what they have done for me. Just like the Chinese saying “ One day as your teacher, a lifetime as your father”. Thank you coach! Saya berasa amat mujur dengan kelibatan coach-coach bermutu tinggi yang memperbaiki skill badminton dan memupuk keperibadian saya , sepanjang karier badminton saya. Misbun Sidek , Teh Peng Huat, the late Indra Gunawan ,Li Mao , Rashid Sidek, Morten Frost , Datuk Tey Seu Bock , Hendrawan merupakan watak-watak yang memberi saya peluang untuk berjuang untuk negara. Sememangnya training susah . Beberapa kali ingin saya berputus asa. Tapi keranalah kata-kata semangat dan motivasi coaches ni, barulah adanya Lee Chong Wei. Semoga jurulatih-jurulatih ini diberkati selamanya. Betul kata pepatah, gurulah lilin yang membakar diri sendiri demi masa depan anak murid. Saya berharap lilin-lilin ini akan terus membakar dengan terang, memberi cahaya api kepada lapisan baru anak anak Malaysia untuk berzaman-zaman akan datang. Terima kasih coach! 俗话说，＂一日为师，终生为父＂。这篇文特别想感谢所有曾经给我指导，教导过我的教练。 如果不是他们，我没有这般能耐可以披着大马的国旗站在球场上与对手拼搏，他们在训练场上对我要求非常严厉苛，每次挑战极限的训练到最后头脑空白、呕吐、抽筋都是家常便饭；我深知他们大可以领份薪水轻松指导，做个"好教练" ，不必这么严格的对待我，但我知道他们只想要我把最好的自己发挥出来，所以我从不埋怨。 虽然训练的过程很艰苦，这条路不容易走，我也曾经想过要放弃，是你们给我鼓励，给我走下去的勇气，不管是在训练场上还是比赛战场上，你们的一个眼神，一个拥抱，都是我最大的支柱，这些我都深深的记在心上。 教练，谢谢你们，成就了李宗伟。

A post shared by Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei (@leechongweiofficial) on Dec 26, 2019 at 9:54pm PST

Lee’s heartfelt tribute comes as he prepares to close out an emotional 2019 with a racquet on court at the Grand Match featuring Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie and several national shuttlers.

It will be the first time the former world number one steps on court after announcing his retirement in June.

As much as he had hoped to return to competitive badminton after successfully battling first-stage nose cancer, Lee was advised to hang up his racquet competitively for good.

Even though the three-time Olympic silver medalist did not get his wish of trying for gold at the Tokyo Olympics in July, Lee’s career was still a huge success and he is considered one of the greatest shuttlers of all time.

The Penangite held the number one ranking for 349 weeks in total, besides three world championships silver medals to his name.

All the coaches he mentioned played a pivotal part in his success.

Teh, Misbun and the late Indra Gunawan were instrumental in Lee’s formative years and early rise to success as he announced himself onto the international scene.

The likes of Frost, Rashid, Hendrawan and Tey would then go on to guide Lee later on in his career which saw him also covet 69 titles on the formerly known SuperSeries circuit.