Daily dosage from wife, kids boosts Chong Wei's spirit

RIO DE JANEIRO: Badminton superstar Datuk Lee Chong Wei heads into his final Olympics here with a dream of leading Malaysia to a first gold medal and culmination to his stellar career.
The 34-year old world number one believes he possesses the necessary depth to make it, despite the clarion call from critics to hang up his racquet.
With no Olympic gold medal since his appearance in the 2004 edition, the top seed is all set to bid farewell to Rio Games with a dream to capture the elusive gold medal which Chinese mega star, Lin Dan foiled in two previous finals.
"I still can go all out and do it," said Chong Wei after the national flag raising ceremony at the Athletes Games Village here, Tuesday.
The Rio Olympics represents a final opportunity to crown his farewell.
The relax-looking Chong Wei said that his wife and two sons are his drive, after coming out from an eight-month doping suspension last year.
He attributes his astonishing rise from the doping suspension, which robbed him of his world number one title which he held for six years, to his wife, Wong Mew Choo, a former national badminton player herself.
"I wouldn't be where I am now after the controversy and stigma of having tested positive for a banned stimulant," he said.
He said that his wife was his biggest motivator when the world shunned him after he tested positive for the anti-inflammatory drug, dexamethasone, during the World Championships in Copenhagen on August 2014
"No one understands, except my wife, who herself was a player. She pushed and encouraged me during the trying times," he said.
He said the criticisms from all quarters also made him more determined to recapture his number one title after coming back into active competition in May.
Asked what gave him the tonic to be in high spirit in Rio, he said it was the daily dosage of encouragement from his wife through phone calls and skype with his two sons, Kingston, 3, and one-year old Terrence.
Chong Wei is expected to meet his nemesis, Lin Dan in the semifinals here.
On his chances against Lin Dan, he said he would prefer to take one game at a time from the group matches onwards.
The badminton events here will start on Aug 11. — Bernama