TEAM MALAYSIA @ Road to London 2012

HOCKEY: Squad to chill out in Port Dickson

2012-02-17T10:15:00.001+08:00

THE national hockey squad are tapering off on physical training and moving towards team and mental building exercises to prepare for the Dublin Olympic Qualifier on March 10-18.

   Malaysia will battle for the sole ticket to the London Olympics with World No 6 South Korea, Ireland, Chile, Russia and Ukraine.

   "Most of the work has been completed. Now the players will head for a relaxing weekend in Port Dickson for two days (starting today) where team building and mental strength will be the main items on the agenda," said national coach Tai Beng Hai.

    Chile will be the first hurdle and Beng Hai is not taking matters lightly.

    "Though the first three matches (Chile, Russia and Ukraine) look relatively easy on paper, we need to get maximum points and also goals to keep the fire burning," the coach added.

   After that, they will meet South Korea and finally hosts Ireland, and need to win at least one match to play in the final of the Qualifier.

   "We last saw Chile play in the Ireland Champions Challenge II and their style is similar to Argentina. All their matches were close affairs," said Beng Hai.

   In the 2009 tournament, Japan could only beat Chile 4-3, while Poland edged them 3-2 and Ireland beat them 3-0 in the preliminaries.

   Penalty corner flickers Amin Rahim and Razie Rahim, who picked up injuries in the Australian tour, are recovering well.

    "Both suffered knocks and bruises during the tour but should recover fully before we head to Europe. We will be taking only 18 players so we can't afford to name any injured player to the final list," said Beng Hai.

    Malaysia will set up camp in Cardiff from Feb 28-March 5 after which they head for Dublin.

    The camp is to allow the players to acclimatise and they will play at least three matches against Wales.

Read more: NST

DIVING: London outing for Huang Qiang

2012-02-15T10:11:00.001+08:00

CHINA-BORN diver Huang Qiang will likely return to competition at next week's London World Cup, the final Olympic qualifying competition, for the first time as a Malaysian.

   The 30-year-old, who received his citizenship last July, was given the nod by national coach Yang Zhuliang following a successful four-week stint in China.

   The national team trained in Quangdong province along with China's Olympic-bound divers and Huang Qiang, who quit the sport six years ago, made quite an impression during the stint.

   Huang Qiang, a former Asian Games medallist, has been registered for the 3-metre springboard synchro discipline, where he will partner Bryan Nickson Lomas.

   But it is not a done deal for the ex-China diver as Zhuliang can opt for a replacement on the eve of the competition, at the team's managers' meeting. Veteran diver Yeoh Ken Nee is the reserve.

   "Huang's (Qiang) form and fitness is better after the stint but he needs to work harder. As for his combination with Lomas, they are doing well in training," said Zhuliang at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

   "Lomas and Huang have a similar body shapes and this is ideal for synchro diving and to add up, they have been successful in executing difficult routines.

   "I have given a good report on Huang's progress to the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) and the national body has agreed to register him for the World Cup."

   Four Olympic spots are up for grabs in the competition and Malaysia's chances of earning one for the first time in a synchro event looks bright with Huang Qiang the China-born diver in the squad.

   Malaysia have so far earned Olympic quota spots through Lomas (men's 10m platform and 3m springboard), Ken Nee (3m springboard) and Pandelela Rinong (women's 10m platform).

   Pandelela, the undisputed platform champion in Southeast Asia, has been registered for three events in London.

   The 19-year-old will compete in both the springboard and 10-metre platform synchro disciplines and also the platform individual.

   Pandelela will dive with Cheong Jun Hoong in the springboard and partner Leong Mun Yee in the platform.

   The Kuching-born diver rarely competes in springboard events but Zhuliang believes she can make the grade at the World Cup.

   "Our main priority in London is to earn Olympic spots. I want my divers to earn as many as possible. Pandelela's inclusion in the springboard synchro is a strategy to boost our chances of earning a spot," said Zhuliang.

   Olympic qualification looks easier in individual events as the top-18 divers at the World Cup are guaranteed berths and Malaysian divers should earn a few.

   The divers leave for London tomorrow.

   The squad -- Men's 3-metre springboard individual: Yeoh Ken Nee; Synchro: Bryan Nickson Lomas-Huang Qiang; 10m platform individual: Bryan Nickson Lomas, Ooi Tze Liang; Synchro: Pandika Idoma-Abdul Rashid.

   Women's 3m springboard individual: Ng Yan Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong; Synchro: Pandelela Rinong-Cheong Jun Hoong; 10m platform individual: Pandelela Rinong, Traisy Vivien; Synchro: Pandelela Rinong-Leong Mun Yee.

Read more: NST

Azizulhasni atau Josiah?

2012-02-14T12:47:00.001+08:00

KETUA jurulatih berbasikal negara, John Beasley bakal berdepan dilema untuk memilih siapakah antara Azizulhasni Awang dan Josiah Ng yang lebih layak beraksi di Sukan Olimpik, London, Ogos ini.

Kejayaan Josiah meraih emas di Kejohanan Berbasikal Asia (ACC) dalam acara keirin merapatkan lagi jurang perbezaan mata antaranya dan Azizul dengan hanya satu pelumba terpilih beraksi di London.

Biarpun berjaya membawa pulang tiga emas di ACC yang melabuh tirainya kelmarin, satu kejayaan yang bermakna buat Beasley, beliau bagaimanapun harus membuat pilihan di antara dua pelumba itu.

“Saya puas hati dengan pencapaian tiga emas diraih pelumba negara. Sejak menjadi jurulatih, ini adalah emas terbanyak diperoleh dalam acara pilihan kita, iaitu keirin.

“Lebih bertuah, kita berjaya meraihnya dalam kedua-dua kategori lelaki dan wanita menerusi Fatehah Mustapa dan sekarang orang sudah tahu taraf kualiti pelumba negara.

“Mereka membuktikan kemampuan di tempat sendiri dan orang ramai kini akan dapat melihat peningkatan pelumba negara yang sememangnya bertaraf dunia,” katanya.

Tiga emas di ACC dihadiahkan Muhammad Edrus Md Yunos dalam acara 1 kilometer ujian masa, selain Josiah dan Fatehah dalam acara keirin. Namun, belum tiba masanya untuk beliau mengumumkan siapakah antara Azizul dan Josiah yang akan mengalas tugas negara di Olimpik.

“Mereka termasuk Fatehah akan pergi ke London. Tapi siapakah yang akan dipilih mewakili negara hanya akan diputuskan di Olimpik.

“Saya tidak mempunyai pelumba pilihan dan akan umumkan pada saat akhir kerana Azizul dan Josiah masih lagi mempunyai masa dan beberapa lagi kejohanan di Jerman sebelum Olimpik London,” katanya.

Sementara itu bagi Josiah, pemenang pingat emas Sukan Komanwel New Delhi, sama ada dia atau Azizul yang bakal terpilih tidak menjadi persoalan, yang pasti siapa yang terpilih akan memberikan yang terbaik.

Katanya, beliau akan membuat keputusan dengan yang terbaik akan mewakili negara.

HARIAN METRO

Decision good for nation but not so for coach

2012-02-13T11:26:00.000+08:00

COMMON sense will prevail in head coach John Beasley's decision on which rider will take up the country's sole slot in the men's sprint and keirin at the London Olympics.

The World Championships in Melbourne on April 4-8 will be where Azizulhasni Awang and Josiah Ng need to perform in order to make the flight to London in July.

Despite earlier reports suggesting Josiah, 32, calling for a duel between Azizul and himself to decide who goes to the Olympics, Beasley and team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad are having none of that.

With Josiah winning the Asian Cycling Championships keirin gold medal ahead of Azizul at the Kuala Lumpur Velodrome yesterday, Beasley described the current situation as "a coin toss" between the two, who seem to be at similar level.

Naim revealed a more neutral form of selection, based on performance over the past two years and merit, has been put in place with the final call being Beasley's.

"Well, it is going to be a good problem for the country but a big problem for me," said Beasley.

"But I assure everyone that the rider who's going to the Olympics will be the best who I feel will be able to give us the best results.

"For now, the best measure would be the World Championships because there we will see how they perform against all the best riders in the world, which will be just about the same field at the Olympics.

"So, we'll look at how they both perform there and that will help with the final decision."

Naim said the call for a duel has been put to bed with both riders told to prove themselves in competition.

"I don't think a duel between them will show which rider can perform in actual competition. But anyway, that's in the past. We've drawn up a selection criteria based on facts and statistics," said Naim.

"We will review the reports and statistics on which of them has been more consistent in the drive for Olympic qualification. After that, it will be Beasley's decision.

"Azizul may be the more popular choice, but we cannot disregard Josiah. The federation will be fair on this. We cannot go by popularity, the same way we never agreed to Josiah's call for a duel.

"It has to be based on performance and which rider Beasley feels will deliver the best results for us at the Olympics."

Read more: NST

Olympics the immediate target

2012-02-09T10:49:00.001+08:00

BAM must start exposing juniors

Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar

OLYMPIC Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar is 100 per cent behind the Badminton Association of Malaysia's (BAM) stand of putting the emphasis on the Olympics instead of the Thomas Cup.

Tunku Imran said it would be difficult for the players to peak twice if they were to seriously challenge for both events and believes that BAM has got its priorities right in putting its focus and resources into winning a gold medal at the most prestigious sporting event in the world.

    "Actually, I have always told them (BAM) to put the focus on the Olympics rather than the Thomas Cup," said Tunku Imran.

    "If you ask people who won a gold medal at the Olympics or who won the Thomas Cup in a particular year, it is most likely they will remember the Olympics as it is the pinnacle of sports.

     "When we won the Thomas Cup in 1992, we had the best singles and doubles players in the world, however, they did not realise how important the Olympics was as it was the first time it was part of the Olympics.

    "It was considered just like another Sea Games or Asian Games and we missed a great opportunity to win two gold medals.

    "It is important that we do look at the Olympics as the pinnacle of all sports. I believe they (BAM) have got their priorities right in looking at (winning) a medal, hopefully gold, at the Olympics this year."

    Tunku Imran, who is also the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president, said that with the current lack of depth in the national team, it would be difficult for the squad to make an impact on the Thomas Cup this year and urged BAM to focus on building a team for the 2014 edition.

"I am not denigrating the Thomas Cup. It is a great team event and we have a great tradition in the tournament.

     "To win the tournament would be very difficult for us this year because we do not have enough depth in the squad.

    "They (BAM) should build up a squad for the long term and blood some young players for the next edition of the Thomas Cup.

     "We have some great junior players, including a world junior boy's singles champion and also world junior doubles champions who I saw compete at the Commonwealth Youth Games last year. They were not only great but also had excellent temperament.

    "It is these players we should rely on for the Thomas Cup in the future, but for this year our senior players should focus on the Olympics," said Tunku Imran.

    Malaysia, who have been placed in a difficult group with South Korea and Hong Kong, will begin their Thomas Cup qualifying campaign on Monday.

Read more: NST

Tunku Imran: Exposure will be our best lesson

2012-02-09T10:38:00.001+08:00

AMIDST all the hype surrounding Malaysia's chances of bagging its first ever gold medal at the Olympics this year, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar has reminded the public to be mindful of the bigger picture in the country's involvement at the London Games.

Tunku Imran, while acknowledging that badminton and cycling did offer the country a good shot at a gold medal, however said that the spirit of competition and providing exposure to younger athletes was what mattered most.

    "We have some very good track cyclists, which includes Azizul (Hasni Awang), who has a very good chance of winning a medal, hopefully the gold, and also Josiah (Ng) who has won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games," said Tunku Imran, when met at the launch of the 7th Nestle Koko Krunch Junior Taekwondo Championships at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

    "We also have some very good divers such as Pandelela Rinong, who might find it difficult to win gold with China in the competition, though other medals are possible.

    "Our archers, though not considered favourites, also have an outside shot, and if they do make the final or win a medal, would have done very well.

   "From the point of view of the OCM, however, it is not so much the medals that is the aim, but rather to ensure our athletes perform to the best of their abilities at the championships.

    "It is also for the younger ones to learn from their experience at the Olympics and perhaps next time around can win medals for the country."

Tunku Imran, who is also Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) president, said programmes such as the Nestle Koko Krunch Junior Taekwondo Championship played a vital role in developing athletes to represent Malaysia at world-class events such as the Olympics.

   "This is exactly what taekwondo, all sports for that matter, desperately need at the grassroots level which is regular competitive exposure," he said.

       The tournament will this year feature four legs compared to three last year.

    The seven to 12 age group tournament, which is expected to attract more than 1,800 competitors, will kick off in Penang on March 3 to be followed by Johor (April 1), Terengganu (May 5) and will culminate in the grand final in Kuala Lumpur on May 20.

Read more: NST

Azizulhasni, Fatehah curi tumpuan

2012-02-09T10:36:00.001+08:00

AZIZULHASNI mempunyai misi mengutip satu pingat emas pada ACC 2012.

TUMPUAN peminat tempatan yang hadir menyaksikan saingan hari pertama Kejuaraan Lumba Basikal Asia (ACC) 2012 petang semalam lebih tertumpu kepada kelibat jaguh pecut negara, Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang dan Fatehah Mustapa (gambar kecil).

Kedua-dua pelumba ini berkayuh dalam acara pecut lelaki dan wanita elit di Velodrom Kuala Lumpur, Cheras.

Azizulhasni yang turun dalam misi mengutip satu pingat emas dalam ACC 2012 kali ini, jelas tidak menghampakan apabila berjaya melepasi halangan pertamanya dengan menewaskan pelumba Iran pada pusingan suku akhir lelaki elit.

Pelumba kelahiran Dungun, Terengganu itu akan beraksi pada separuh akhir hari ini.
Bagaimanapun, seorang lagi pelumba elit negara, Mohd. Edrus Yunos gagal ke separuh akhir apabila tewas kepada pelumba Jepun.

Sementara itu, Fatehah juga berjaya layak ke separuh akhir wanita elit setelah mengalahkan pelumba Taiwan, Wang Jin Ning pada suku akhir dan turun beraksi di separuh akhir hari ini.
"Saingan daripada pelumba Taiwan di suku akhir hari ini agak sengit tetapi saya tidak menggunakan sepenuh tenaga kerana mahu beri tumpuan kepada separuh akhir esok (hari ini).

"Saya bersyukur kerana berjaya melepasi peringkat ini dan akan cuba memberi yang terbaik pada separuh akhir nanti untuk layak ke final dan kalau boleh memenanginya esok (hari ini)," kata Fatehah semalam.
Namun seorang lagi pelumba wanita elit negara, Ju Pha Somnet terpaksa akur di suku akhir selepas tewas kepada pelumba dari China.

Dalam kategori wanita remaja pula, Ummi Hamimah Mohamad berjaya mara ke final selepas menang pada saingan separuh akhir.
Begitupun, Lauretta Eva Adrian pula gagal melepasi peringkat tersebut.

KOSMO

Azizulhasni and Fatehah ride their way into the quarter-finals

2012-02-09T10:35:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Melbourne-based cyclists Azizulhasni Awang and Fatehah Mustapa made promising starts in the Asian Cycling Championships as both cruised to the quarter-finals at the Cheras Velodrome here yesterday.

Azizul easily got the better of Iranian Ahmad Asgharpourdabi in the first round of the knockout stages to earn an automatic slot in the top eight slated to take place today.

Azizul had qualified with the third fastest time (10.393) behind in-form Chinese brothers – Zhang Lei (10.268) and Zhang Miao (10.266).

Moving along: Malaysia’s Zahraa Anuwar in action during the women’s elite points race final at the Cheras Velodrome yesterday.

Fatehah advanced to the last eight by beating Huang Ting-ying of Taiwan in similar fashion.
Malaysian team-mate Jupha Somnet failed to join her after losing the first round of the knockout stage and subsequent repechage.

The 22-year-old Fatehah is virtually assured of a spot in the keirin at the London Olympics, having already picked up enough points in the World Cup series and last year’s achievement in reaching the World Championships final in Holland.

However, earning a double qualification in the sprint is also within her reach and coach John Beasley is hoping she will succeed to make history as the first Malaysian woman cyclist to ride at the Olympics.
“There is one quota for the Olympics for each country in the individual disciplines. She has to finish ahead of the Japanese sprinters here. If she makes the medal rounds, she will be in a good position to collect the ranking points.

“She had a lazy qualifying run in the morning but she did much better in the evening. She is looking good and I hope she gets into the medal round,” said Beasley.

Fatehah is also down for the 500m time trial today but the last minute entry of Guangzhou Asian Games gold medallist Lee Wai Sze of Hong Kong has ruined the Malaysian’s chances of winning her first Asian title.
Wai Sze is strongly favoured to take the gold medal as she is the only Asian cyclist to dip below 35 seconds.

THE STAR

Pocketrocketman ke suku akhir pecut

2012-02-09T10:34:00.001+08:00

Azizulhasni Awang mendengar arahan jurulatihnya John Beasley sebelum beraksi dalam acara pecut pada ACC 2012 di Velodrom Cheras, semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR - Jaguh basikal trek negara, Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang tidak menghadapi masalah untuk menempatkan diri ke saingan suku akhir acara pecut individu pada Kejohanan Berbasikal Asia (ACC) 2012 di Velodrom Kuala Lumpur, Cheras semalam.

Kehebatan Azizulhasni atau digelar The Pocketrocketman gagal dikekang oleh pelumba Iran, Ahmad Asgherpourdarabi dalam perlumbaan pusingan pertama dan menempah ke suku akhir bertemu jaguh dari Jepun, Kazunari Watanabe dari Jepun hari ini.

Menurut Azizulhasni, dia tidak menyangka dapat mencatat masa 10.3 saat pada peringkat kelayakan yang dijalankan pada sebelah pagi tatkala prestasinya masih belum mantap sepenuhnya.

"Saya masih belum menganggap kayuhan saya berada pada tahap terbaik dengan menyangka saya akan hanya mencatat dalam lingkungan 10.5s tetapi pada peringkat kelayakan saya mampu mencatat 10.3s," katanya ketika ditemui semalam.

Jelasnya, masih banyak yang perlu diperbaikinya menjelang saingan suku akhir hari ini dan dia berazam mahu melayakkan diri ke peringkat akhir seterusnya meraih pingat.

"Watanabe bukan calang-calang pelumba. Saya tewas kepadanya pada kejohanan yang sama dua tahun lalu di Sharjah, Emiriyah Arab Bersatu (UAE) yang menyebabkan saya gagal mara ke saingan akhir dalam acara ini.

"Saya belum merasakan mampu memberi yang terbaik tetapi beraksi di tempat sendiri di hadapan penyokong sendiri, mungkin akan memberi semangat yang luar biasa buat saya," katanya.

Ditanya mengenai bila kali terakhir dia beraksi di velodrom tersebut, pelumba kelahiran Dungun, Terengganu itu berkata ia adalah pada 2006 pada kejohanan yang sama sekali gus mengimbau kembali kenangannya.
"Saya mahu mengekalkan momentum ini, saya puas hati dapat menempatkan diri ke suku akhir, saya perlu yakin dengan diri sendiri untuk mara ke peringkat akhir," kata pelumba berusia 23 tahun itu.

Turut mara ke suku akhir pecut adalah Fatehah Mustapa bagi kategori wanita elit, pelumba yang berpengkalan di Melbourne itu juga akan mengambil bahagian dalam acara 500 meter ujian masa.
Dua lagi pelumba negara, yang beraksi dalam pecut elit Muhamad Edrus Yunus dan Ju Pha Som Net tersekat di peringkat repercharges.

Oleh FERZALFIE FAUZI
ferzalfie.fauzi@utusan.com.my

CYCLING / ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: Personal bests light up day

2012-02-09T10:33:00.001+08:00

Medals prove elusive on opening day

Fatehah Mustapa qualified for the 200m sprint’s quarter-finals

AFTER a start that saw the national elite and junior track endurance squads miss out on opening day, the Asian Cycling Championships will likely see Malaysia open their medal count today on at least four fronts.

But what lacked in the form of medals was backed up by personal bests set by all juniors in their timed events at the Kuala Lumpur Velodrome.

Most significantly, there were signs of a much improved performance by the juniors, capped by sprint duo Ummi Hamimah Mohamad and Lauretta Eva Adrian.

Youngster Noor Azian Maslin Sazali came closest to bagging a surprise medal in the junior women's 2km individual pursuit, when she lost a closely contested bronze medal race to Taiwan's Lee Tai Ling.

Hong Kong's Pang Yao clocked two minutes 38.224 seconds to beat South Korea's Oh Hyeon Ji in the gold medal race.

Noor Azian, 16, had improved on her personal best by a whopping eight seconds to set up the bronze medal race when she posted 2:50.093s in qualifying.

"I'd not managed to go that fast before, so I was very satisfied with the times I clocked today," said Noor Azian, who hails from Sabah.

"It shows I'm improving my performance, but still this is my first time racing at this level, so I'm still learning."

   Mohd Firdaus Suardi also made it to the junior men's 3km individual pursuit bronze medal race after clocking his personal best of 3:41.676s in qualifying.

But the Malacca-born was overwhelmed by Japan's Kohei Suzuki in the bronze medal decider. Kazakhstan's Robert Gaineyev beat Hong Kong's Leung Chun Wing in the gold medal race.

   The men's elite 200m sprint qualifying and first round heats were what the local fans were eagerly anticipating, and Azizul Hasni Awang did not disappoint when he clocked the third fastest qualifying time.

Azizul's flying 200m time of 10.393s ranked just behind China's brothers Zhang Miao and Zhang Lei, who clocked 10.266s and 10.268s respectively.

But more importantly, both Malaysians made it through to the knockout stage as Edrus Yunos posted the seventh fastest time of 10.582s.

But while Azizul easily disposed off Iran's Ahmad Asgharpourdarabi in his first round heat to make it to the next round to be held today, Edrus lost out to Japan's Seiichiro Nakagawa in his and has to go through the repechage.

Fatehah Mustapa stuttered in her 200m sprint qualifying, posting only the seventh fastest time, prompting head coach John Beasley to call it a lazy run.

But she bounced back to easily dispose Taiwan's Huang Ting Ting to make it through to today's quarter-finals, while compatriot Jupha Somnet was out in the repechage after losing her first round heat to hot favourite Lee Wai Sze of Hong Kong.

   The top performers of the day were surely junior women's sprint duo Ummi Hamimah and Lauretta Eva, who both breezed through their individual 200m sprint first rounds heats.

The duo then combined to only narrowly miss out on second spot in the team sprint, but even their third fastest time to set up a bronze medal race with Taiwan today, was unexpected

Read more: NST

ASUM Hope Mun Yee Can Earn London Olympic Ticket

2012-01-26T09:39:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- The Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) hope diver Leong Mun Yee's training stint in China can boost her chances of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics, held from July 27 to Aug 12.

ASUM Honorary Secretary Edwin Chong said the FINA World Cup in London from Feb 20 to 26 would be Mun Yee's last chance to earn qualifying points to the London Olympics.

"I hope the three-week intensive training camp that started in Kunming, China early this month will come in handy for Mun Yee to earn points that will help her to qualify," he told Bernama when contacted here today.

Chong said Mun Yee remains the only elite diver who has yet to qualify for the London Olympics while Bryan Nickson Lomas (men's 3m Springboard, 10m Platform), Yeoh Ken Nee (Men's 3m Springboard), Pandelela Rinong (women's 10m Platform) have already earned their tickets.

If Mun Yee, 27, makes the cut to London, it would be her fourth consecutive Olympics, since she had featured in the Sydney 2000 Olympics in Australia; Athens, Greece (2004) and Beijing, China (2008).

Mun Yee's qualification is also important because she can then compete in the individual and 10m Platform Synchronized diving events with Pandelela.

-- BERNAMA

Just reward

2012-01-22T13:40:00.002+08:00

Suryani set to compete in two events in London

Nur Suryani has qualified for her maiden Olympics.

SHOOTER Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi is likely to compete in two events at the London Olympics if a ruling set by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) is applied.

Nur Suryani was the only local shooter under the Road to London programme, to qualify on merit for the Olympics at the Asian Shooting Championships, which ended in Doha yesterday.

The 29-year-old secured one of the two tickets on offer in the women's 10-metre air rifle to earn her first appearance at the Olympics.

Her success in Doha also made Malaysia as one of only four countries, China, Iran and Kuwait being the others, to earn Olympic spots at the Asian meet.

An Olympic qualifier, however, can earn a second quota for his or her country, if he or she meets the Minimum Qualification Score (MQS) for another event.

Only countries with one qualifier can exercise the rule.

Nur Suryani met the MQS score of 565 for the 50m rifle three-position by posting 581 points in Doha, which allows the National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) to apply for the extra spot.

If NSAM exercises its right, then the spot for the three-position would likely be given to Nur Suryani.

"NSAM is sure to get an extra spot if it applies for one as I've surpassed the MQS for three-position," said Nur Suryani.

The association, however, has the right to nominate others for the London Games as all quota spots are for a country and not individuals.

But Nur Suryani is likely to get the nod as she has been impressive over the last two years.

She made headlines two years ago by first bagging the country's first ever medal in the World Cup by winning the air rifle silver in the Melbourne leg before winning gold, along with Nur Ayuni Farhana Abdul Halim, in the pairs event.

She continued her impressive form when she won bronze at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and last year, she earned two titles at the Indonesia Sea Games.

At the Asian Championships, she led Muslifah Zulkifli and Nur Ayuni Farhana to the team bronze in the 50m rifle prone, a non-Olympic event.

Read more: NST

Dublin saksi nasib hoki

2012-01-20T11:25:00.001+08:00

IMBAS...kekalahan terbaru skuad negara kepada pasukan China, 12 Januari lalu.

DUBLIN, Ireland mungkin bakal mencatat sejarah terhapusnya badi skuad hoki negara untuk layak ke Sukan Olimpik London sejak edisi 2000 di Sydney Australia, namun Dublin juga bakal menyaksikan kemungkinan impian itu terus tinggal impian saja.

Tinggal kurang tiga bulan sebelum bermulanya pusingan kelayakan Sukan Olimpik di negara itu, seolah-olah tiada sentuhan magis yang boleh meyakinkan peminat skuad negara sudah bersedia dalam erti kata sebenar bagi menghadapi tugasan paling besar tahun ini.

Terbaru, rekod tiga kemenangan dan dua kali tewas kepada China menerusi lima siri perlawanan persahabatan bersama negara Tembok Besar itu sebenarnya agak menggusarkan kerana tidak sepatutnya anak buah Tai Beng Hai kecundang dua kali meskipun ia sekadar perlawanan persahabatan.
Malah Sultan Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah yang juga bekas Presiden Persekutuan Hoki Malaysia, hadir ke Stadium Hoki Bukit Jalil pada perlawanan keempat untuk menyaksikan aksi skuad negara sebelum meluahkan rasa tidak puas hatinya kepada pengurusan skuad negara selepas tamat perlawanan.

Beng Hai mungkin mempunyai penjelasan tersendiri, namun beliau juga perlu menerima hakikat bukan alasan yang mahu didengar peminat, sebaliknya keputusan memberangsangkan dicapai pada setiap perlawanan.

“Walaupun ia hanya perlawanan persahabatan, bagi saya pemain perlu ada sikap sentiasa mahu menang. Lihat bagaimana pasukan Eropah seperti Jerman yang tidaklah bermain 100 peratus ketika perlawanan persahabatan tapi dengan sikap positif seperti ini, mereka sentiasa mencatat kemenangan.

“Saya tidak tahu perancangan sebenar pengurusan tapi kalau keputusan perlawanan bertemu China sama seperti pusingan kelayakan Sukan Olimpik, kita mungkin tersingkir awal,” kata bekas pemain negara, Mohamad Abdul Hadi.

Tanpa berselindung, Mohamad juga tidak mengetepikan rasa bimbang melihat perkembangan semasa skuad negara yang pada anggapannya belum mencapai prestasi terbaik untuk beraksi di pusingan kelayakan Sukan Olimpik.
“Beraksi di pusingan kelayakan bukan mudah. Di sana anda memerlukan tahap tumpuan dan keyakinan yang cukup tinggi. Saya fikir jurulatih perlu menerapkan rasa yakin dalam diri setiap pemain, bukan sekadar sentiasa berlatih di padang saja,” katanya yang beraksi di Sukan Olimpik Barcelona 1992.

Sementara itu, bekas pakar pukulan sudut penalti negara, S Kuhan berpendapat, skuad negara tidak boleh melepaskan peluang terhidang untuk layak ke Sukan Olimpik London kerana selain Korea Selatan dan Ireland, Malaysia dijangka tidak berdepan cabaran lebih sukar.

“Saya seperti peminat hoki lain tentunya mahu melihat skuad kita layak ke Olimpik. Tetapi untuk beraksi di pusingan kelayakan, pemain perlu mempamerkan tahap keyakinan tinggi,” katanya yang beraksi pada dua temasya Sukan Olimpik iaitu 1996 di Atlanta, Amerika Syarikat dan edisi Sydney, Australia empat tahun selepas itu.

-HARIAN METRO

London Olympic shooters arent trusted to transport own guns to the Olympic venue..

2012-01-20T10:33:00.001+08:00

Hundreds of firearms will be brought into London for the 2012 Olympic Games prompting Britain’s largest airport, Heathrow, to introduce new security measures to cope with the influx.

Athletes will not be able to pick up their firearms at the airport, but will have to produce the required paperwork to the UK Border Agency once they have arrived at the Olympic competition venue at the Royal Artillary Barracks.

Special London Olympic Games staff (Locog) will be responsible for collecting and transporting the firearms at the airport to a secure vehicle to be transported to the Royal Artillary Barracks.

Heathrow’s Olympic planning documents show that 390 athletes will bring 780 firearms for the Olympics and 140 athletes with 20 firearms will arrive for the Paralympics.

“To manage the extra demand we will be putting in place a system to ensure the firearms are safely transported to the appropriate venue,” the document says.

“When the competitors arrive, firearms will be collected and transported by approved handler to airside Locog (the London 2012 organisers) vehicles where they will be secured and subsequently transported to the Royal Artillery Barracks.

“On the day of issue of firearms to athletes, UKBA (the UK Border Agency) will perform necessary checks against required paperwork within the armoury at RAB.”

Heathrow has also revealed it is spending £20 million on Olympic related costs, including hiring an additional 250 security staff to deal with the additional demands of the Games that will, at times, overstretch existing capacity.

Nick Cole, Heathrow’s head of Olympic and Paralympic planning, described the London 2012 Games as “a unique operational task and a massive challenge”.

He noted: “The airport is one of the most popular international airports in the world and already operates close to capacity.

“Every part of the airport is working together to ensure we can give the athletes a warm welcome and ensure all passengers enjoy the atmosphere.”

The document says that unless measures were put in place the existing baggage carousels would be unable to cope with the influx of bags causing delays of more than an hour in Terminal 1 and Terminal 5.

But the airport is planning on taking bags off carousals for collection on the floor and is working with the UK Boder Agency for 'VIP' passport lanes for Olympic athletes, staff and other Olympic Family members to prevent border delays.

”Delays to this process could have a knock on effect and delay the pick up of bags and clearing the bag hall,” the document says.

Heathrow officials say the peak day for arrival of Olympic athletes is July 16, while August 13, the day after the closing ceremony, will be the busiest day in Heathrow’s history and the most challenging.

On that day, Heathrow workers will need to cope with 35 per cent more departing luggage as athletes take home on average more than three and a half bags each, one bag more than they will have arrived with.

Overall, officials are expecting 138,000 departing passengers compared with a normal day of 95,000.
Compounding the sheer numbers will be the volume of oversized bags and sporting equipment. Heathrow is constructing a special departure terminal for athletes between the existing terminal four and a cargo area to take the stress off other departing passengers.

Heathrow's Olympic facts and figures:

- Athletes are expected to have an average of 2.75 bags when they arrive.

- Shopping while in Britain is expected to increase this to 3.75 bags by the time they leave (average is normally one per person).

- On August 13, the busiest day, Heathrow expects to handle 203,000 bags leaving the airport (150,000 direct and transfer bags on a normal day).

- Around 15 per cent of the bags will be oversized sporting equipment such as canoes or bikes.

- Athletes will get their own departure terminal from August 13 to 15 plus Village bag collection.

- This is to try to divert up to 10,100 people and 37,900 bags from the main terminals.

By Jacquelin Magnay, Olympics Editor - THE TELEGRAPH

London 2012 launches high-tech labs for anti-doping

2012-01-20T10:26:00.001+08:00

LONDON - The London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) Thursday unveiled the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited anti-doping laboratory which will operate during the London 2012 Games.

LOCOG, laboratory service providers GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and laboratory operators King's College London, welcomed Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics for a tour of the facility which is based in Harlow, Essex.

Over 6250 samples will be analyzed throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games, up to 400 each day which is more than at any other Games.

Up to one in two athletes will be tested at the Olympic Games including every Olympic medallist.
The laboratory, which measures the size of seven tennis courts, will be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Over 1,000 LOCOG staff will work within the anti-doping process and a team of more than 150 anti-doping scientists will carry out the testing at the laboratory, led independently by professor David Cowan from the Drug Control Centre at King's College London.

The facility, which has been provided by pharmaceutical company GSK, will be operated by leading anti-doping experts from King's College London and supported by scientists from around the world.
"Today is an important milestone in the countdown to the Games, " said Paul Deighton, London 2012 Chief Executive.

"Working with one of the world's best pharmaceutical companies and one of the country's leading universities we have been able to create a facility to successfully and efficiently process 6,250 tests during the Games which has never been done before."

Minister Hugh Robertson said: "We are doing all we can to ensure that there is no place to hide for drug cheats at London 2012. Our message to any athlete thinking about doping is simple -- we'll catch you."

Professor David Cowan, Director of King's College London's Drug Control Centre said: "These laboratories are the most high-tech labs in the history of the Games, analysing more samples than ever before."

The Anti-Doping process during the London 2012 Games will create a legacy of knowledge about operations and processes. In July 2011, GSK signed an agreement with WADA to share information about its medicines in development, while LOCOG will debrief on all processes.

-LOCOG

Malaysia capable of rising to the occasion in Olympic qualifier

2012-01-19T10:11:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Don’t write us off, yet.

That’s the message national hockey midfielder Mohd Sukri Abdul Mutalib has for those who doubt Malaysia’s chances of qualifying for the London Olympics.

Sukri said this in response to former Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) president Sultan Azlan Shah’s comment that the national team were not good enough to qualify for the London Olympics.

The midfielder, who has 147 caps, was in upbeat mood after helping Malaysia beat China 3-1 in the fifth and final friendly at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Crossing sticks: Malaysia’s Mohd Shahrun Nabil (left) attempts to dribble past China’s Liu Xianting during their friendly yesterday.

Malaysia lost the first two friendlies 2-1 and 4-1 before bouncing back to win the next three 4-2, 2-0 and 3-1.

Malaysia scored all their three goals in yesterday’s friendly from penalty corners through Mohd Amin Rahim (eighth minute), Mohd Razie Rahim (24th) and Mohd Fitri Saari (51st).
China’s lone reply came through a Sun Luo penalty corner.

The national hockey team, who failed to qualify for the last two Olympics in Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008), will compete in the Olympic qualifier in Dublin, Ireland, from March 10-18.

The 26-year-old Sukri, who will be playing in his third consecutive Olympic qualifiers, said: “I have faith in my team-mates and I am confident we will rise to the occasion in the qualifier.”

Sukri was only 18 when he played in his first Olympic qualifier in Madrid in 2004.
“The national team now is better than the two I played for in the last two qualifiers in Madrid (2004) and Japan (2008),” he said.

“We have a tactically good team with skilful forwards like Tengku Ahmad (Tajuddin) and Faizal (Saari) to get the goals in the qualifier.”

The other teams in the fray in Dublin are South Korea, Ireland, Chile, Ukraine and Russia.
Only the winner of the qualifier will feature in the London Olympics.

Sukri admitted that they needed to be more clinical in their finishing, judging by the number of wasted chances in the friendlies against China.

“The defence needs to be tightened up. I believe we will be ready to give our best in Dublin and be third time lucky to qualify for the London Olympics,” he said.

THE STAR

Hoki meningkat menjelang Kelayakan Olimpik

2012-01-19T10:10:00.001+08:00

PEMAIN China, Zhang Zhixian (jersi putih) menyekat gerakan pemain negara pada perlawanan persahabatan di Stadium Hoki Nasional Bukit Jalil, semalam. - UTUSAN/Wahidin Salim

KUALA LUMPUR - Tiga kemenangan berturut ke atas China dalam lima aksi persahabatan yang berakhir semalam menunjukkan peningkatan konsisten skuad Tai Beng Hai menjelang kelayakan Sukan Olimpik 2012.
Pada aksi terakhir di Stadium Hoki Nasional Bukit Jalil semalam skuad negara menang 3-1, iaitu kemenangan ketiga berturut-turut sejak Ahad lepas dalam lima siri perlawanan.

Beng Hai berkata, pemain telah menunjukkan peningkatan dalam tiga perlawanan terakhir berbanding dua perlawanan awal yang menyaksikan skuad kebangsaan tewas.

"Kita dapat lihat pemain mampu mempertingkatkan keupayaan untuk menjaringkan gol dengan lebih tepat terutama ketika memperoleh pukulan sudut penalti.

"Pada dua perlawanan awal kita tewas kerana ketika itu pemain baru memasuki tempoh akhir untuk latihan bebanan dan kita faham mereka kepenatan pada dua perlawanan itu," kata Beng Hai.

Pada perlawanan kelima semalam kesemua gol Malaysia diperolehi hasil pukulan sudut penalti menerusi pemain Mohd. Amin Rahim minit kelapan, Mohd. Razie Abdul Rahim minit ke-25 dan Fitri Saari minit ke-50 manakala gol tunggal China diperolehi melalui pemain Sun Lug minit ke-11.

Selepas ini skuad negara akan berangkat ke Perth Australia pada 27 Januari ini untuk bermain dalam enam perlawanan persahabatan melibatkan empat aksi dengan pasukan tuan rumah serta dua perlawanan menentang Belanda.

KOSMO

Chong Wei ready for China backlash

2012-01-19T10:09:00.001+08:00

LEE Chong Wei has had a dream start to the year but he is mindful of a China backlash in the All England in March where he expects China’s Lin Dan and Chen Long to provide him with a stern test.

Lee Chong Wei holding a copy of his autobiography ‘Dare to be a Champion’ beside a cutout of the comic ‘Jejak Libasan Jaguh’ yesterday. Pic by Yazit Razali

Chong Wei beat arch rival Lin Dan to win the Korea Open and then accounted for Chen Long in the semi-final of the Malaysia Open which he won for the eighth time on Sunday.

   The two titles come after a string of defeats Chong Wei suffered at the hands of both players towards the tail end of last year and the Malaysian said his back-to-back titles have boosted his confidence.

   However, Chong Wei knows Lin Dan too well and expects him to bounce back strongly and he also expects Chen Long to be equally dangerous when trying to stop him from completing a hat-trick in the All England in Birmingham on March 6-11.

   “I have had a good start and winning the Korea Open and Malaysia Open has been a huge boost. However, this doesn’t make me the clear favourite in the All England as I know Lin Dan and Chen Long will try to deny me a hat-trick,” said Chong Wei, the World No 1, during the launch of his autobiography in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

   “I am the defending champion and it will be very tough for in Birmingham. My rivals will be doing plenty of video analysis and studying my game, so they will come even more prepared for the All England.

   “I will have several weeks to prepare for the tournament but at the same time, there is also the Thomas Cup qualifiers next month where my role is very crucial in helping the team to make it to the final round in China in May.

   “I have to give Malaysia a winning start to boost the morale of the players. The team are not very strong so I want to give my teammates a good start in all the matches.

   “The Olympics and Thomas Cup are the most important events this year but my focus is on the Olympics and all my preparations will be geared towards that goal.”

   Chong Wei will use the coming Chinese New Year break to launch his 199-page autobiography titled ‘Dare To Be A Champion’ which he believes will motivate children to follow in his footsteps and become champions themselves.

   “The book explains the hardships I had been through to become a champion and World No 1. I hope it will be an inspiration to others to achieve greatness in the future,” added Chong Wei.

   “It also expresses my gratitude to the people behind my success especially my parents who have gone through plenty of hardships to help me realise my dreams.”

NST

Suryani eyeing a second Olympic ticket

2012-01-18T12:32:00.000+08:00

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s national rifle shooter Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi is already assured a place in the London Olympics but she wants more.

The 29-year-old Suryani, who qualified for the Olympics in the 10m air rifle on Saturday, will be hoping to gun down a spot in the women’s 50m rifle three-position as well today.

Suryani primed herself for a shot at achieving what no Malaysian shooter has done at Olympic level with another steady performance in the 50m rifle prone at the Asian Shooting Championships in Doha on Monday.
Suryani scored 100-98-98-98-96-99 to tie for fourth spot on 589 points with Thailand’s Wankaew Supamas in the six-round competition.

India’s Kumari Raj took gold with 594 points ahead of China’s Li Peijing and South Korean Jeong Mi-ra, who both amassed 590 points.

The 50m rifle prone is not an Olympic event but it is the perfect confidence booster Suryani needed to be on the mark in the more demanding 50m rifle three-position today.

The discipline requires one to shoot in prone, standing and kneeling positions with the best eight shooters from the preliminaries advancing to the final.

And Suryani, who is the only Malaysian shooter to make the cut for the Olympics, is determined to get her act right to end her Asian Championships campaign on a high.
“I still have one more event to go and I hope to do well.

“I had a good rest and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I can maintain my momentum to qualify for the 50m rifle three-position as well.

“It will be a bonus if I qualify for the Olympics in this event as well,” said Suryani, who won both the 10m air rifle and 50m rifle three-position at the Indonesia SEA Games last November.

There are three Olympic spots up for grabs in the 50m rifle three-position at the Asian meet but it will be a tough scrap as China are the only country from this continent to secure the maximum two spots through the World Cup series last year.

Suryani’s effort in the 50m rifle prone also helped Malaysia to finish fourth in the team competition on a combined tally of 1,753, just losing out on the bronze to India by two points.

Nur Ayuni Farhana Halim and Muslifah Zulkifli finished 14th (583) and 21st (581) in the individual standings.
In the men’s 50m rifle prone, Mohd Hadafi Jaafar and Shahril Sahak were placed 18th (588) and 24th (587) respectively.

THE STAR

Sultan Azlan takes coaches to task

2012-01-18T09:08:00.005+08:00

FORMER Malaysian Hockey Federation president Sultan Azlan Shah took the national coaches to task and jokingly said he would "hang them" if the national team fail to qualify for the London Olympics.

Malaysia’s Kelvinder Singh (right) attempts to get past China’s Tianjun in their friendly yesterday. Malaysia won 2-0. Pic by Supian Ahmad

Sultan Azlan met national coach Tai Beng Hai, assistant coach Nur Saiful Zaini, team manager George Koshy and National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong in a meeting which lasted about 20 minutes, after Malaysia's 2-0 victory over China in an international friendly at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

   "Not good enough... all aspects, especially penalty corners... they tend to make mistakes in the circle, and whenever they claim for a foul, they shout 'kaki, kaki, kaki'. But when they attack, they don't push the ball onto the legs of their opponents to earn corners," said Sultan Azlan, also the president of the Asian Hockey Federation, yesterday.

   "The coaches should be trained, not the players. I wanted to bring in help but the coaches refused."

   Malaysia have been drawn with South Korea, Ireland, Russia, Ukraine and Chile in Olympic Qualifiers in London on March 10-18.

   "An acquaintance of mine, Nick Holden, offered the services of a South African who was formerly coaching the Irish team but our coaches declined.

"They (national coaches) also did not want the help of Paul (Lissek). In this situation, we should use all the help we can get. They said they can handle. The team better qualify or I will hang them," he added jokingly.

   Sultan Azlan then summoned Zolkples, and the NSC head later confirmed that the coaches had declined the offer of assistance from the two coaches.

   Asked about the team's qualification chances, Sultan Azlan said: "Korea are there and we cannot discount Ireland, it is going to be difficult.

   "The team must have a winning attitude... they must play to win... like Tiger Woods. It is all in the head," said Sultan Azlan.

   In yesterday's friendly, Malaysia scored in each half in their 2-0 victory over China. The scorers were Razie Rahim (15th) and Firhan Ashaari (69th).

   The team face China in their fifth and final friendly at the same venue today at 6pm.

NST

Sultan Azlan slams coaches for turning down his offer of help

2012-01-18T09:08:00.003+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) president Sultan Azlan Shah took the national hockey team’s coaches to task after watching Malaysia’s fourth friendly against China at the National Hockey Stadium in Buklit Jalil yesterday.

Sultan Azlan, who is also the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) president, jokingly said: I will hang them (coaches) if the national team do not qualify for the London Olympics. The coaches need training more than the players.”

He also had a heart-to-heart talk with national coach Tai Beng Hai, assistant coach Nor Saiful Zaini and team manager George Koshy. Also present was National Sports Council (NSC) Director-General Datuk Zolkples Embong.

Sultan Azlan, who is also life president of the now defunct MHF, was apparently very unhappy with the coaches who turned down his offer to help the national team qualify for the Olympics.

The MHF were dissolved on Dec 17 and the Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) took over as the governing body of hockey as of January this year.

“An acquaintance of mine, Nick Holden from South Africa, knows a former Ireland coach who is willing to help out but our coaches did not take up his offer.

“I also want to bring back former national coach Paul (Lissek) to help but the coaches don’t want his services either.”

Zolkple, confirmed that our coaches did not want the duo’s help.
Malaysia, who are preparing for the Olympic qualifier in Dublin from March 10-18, played a pathetic game against China but still managed to win 2-0 in the fourth test match yesterday.

Defender Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim gave Malaysia the lead from the first penalty corner in the 15th minute before Mohd Firhan Ashaari scored in the 69th from a field goal.
It was Malaysia’s second win of the five-match series. They lost the first two matches (2-1) and (4-1) before winning the third (4-2).

The two teams will square off in the fifth and final match today at 6pm.
When asked about the current team, Sultan Azlan said they were not good enough.

“They are not good in all aspects especially in penalty corners. Every time when the opponents are in their D, they claim for leg faults (kaki, kaki, kaki). When they are in the opponents semi-circle the players are not hitting the ball onto the opponents’ legs,” he said .

Sultan Azlan said that the players must have the “winning attitude”.
“They must play to win like golfing great Tiger Woods. They must use their heads.”

Asked about the chances of qualifying for the Olympics, Sultan Azlan said it is going to be tough.
“It is not going to be easy against South Korea and Ireland in the qualifier,” said Sultan Azlan.
Malaysia failed to qualify for the last two Olympics in Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008). They last played in the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

THE STAR

Chong Wei firmly on road to London

2012-01-17T11:32:00.004+08:00

World No 1’s confidence on the rise after back-to-back titles

Datuk Lee Chong Wei

LEE Chong Wei has put his quest for Olympic gold back on track with back-to-back Super Series titles but what he does over the next six months will determine if he will be successful in London.

It has been a fabulous run for Chong Wei over the last two weeks. He won the Korea Open where he beat China's Olympic champion Lin Dan, and then brushed aside another rival from China, Chen Long in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open before making short work of Japan's Kenichi Tago to secure his eighth Malaysia Open crown on Sunday.

   His confidence has soared and his legion of fans will be looking forward to seeing him win Olympic gold in July.

The fact that Chong Wei was not at his best but yet managed to beat Lin Dan and Chen Long   speaks volumes of the Malaysian's ability to dig deep when the chips are down.

   This attitude will prove crucial when Chong Wei faces a better prepared Lin Dan and Chen Long in coming tournaments.

   What is vital though is Chong Wei that continues training harder and keeps his physical level at the highest.

Video analyses must be done continually and if more scientific methods need to be added to his repertoire, then do it by all means.

Chong Wei has reiterated about cutting down on tournaments to prepare for the Olympics and he must keep to his intentions.

The Malaysian will compete in the Thomas Cup qualifiers in Macau next month and the All England in March before the India Open Super Series which will be his last tournament during the Olympic qualifying period which ends in April. These events should be enough to maintain a top two position in the world ranking.

   If Chong Wei maintains his World No 1 spot, he should avoid Lin Dan, who is likely to be ranked second, until the final of the Olympics.

Both players would prefer such a situation rather than meet in the semi-finals.

   There is no assurance that Chong Wei is guaranteed Olympic   gold as Lin Dan has big match temperament and the London Olympics will be his last hurrah.

   While Chong Wei has proved time and again that he has the heart and desire to battle for Olympic gold, the situation looks bleak for doubles   Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong if they refuse to change their attitude.

   Kien Keat looks to be the culprit and although he has said on numerous occasions that he needs to do something different to revive his career, his latest performance in the Malaysia Open has shown he has done nothing much.

   It is a common knowledge that his physical fitness is his biggest worry and this boils down to lack of training.    If Kien Keat refuses to work harder, there is no way he and Boon Heong can fight for a medal as the gold medal will be a tussle between South Korea's Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae and Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China.

   Kien Keat-Boon Heong are not even in a position to battle for bronze as other pairs like Denmark's Mathis Boe-Carsten Mogensen and Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong of South Korea are better equipped to be among the medallists.

-NEW STRAITS TIMES

Chong Wei reminds sceptics he’s still worth a crack at Olympic gold

2012-01-16T10:56:00.001+08:00

LEE Chong Wei drummed out an emphatic message to the sceptics who do not think he is good for Olympic gold: Write him off at your peril.

The world No. 1 was devastating en route to winning his eighth home title at the Maybank Malaysia Open at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

And he declared his hunger for more after defeating Kenichi Tago of Japan 21-6, 21-13 in a lopsided men’s singles final to notch his easiest win yet in the home series.

Chong Wei basked in the glory after the match. He soaked in the wild celebration at the stadium, acknowledged the support of the adoring fans and even took his time to share his joy with his brother’s baby boy.

With yesterday’s feat, the 29-year-old Chong Wei equalled the record of the late great Wong Peng Soon, who had captured the title eight times in 1940, 1941, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953. Chong Wei is determined to make the record all his own with a ninth triumph next year.

It was Chong Wei’s second title in a week, marking a brilliant start to the New Year, having won the Korea Open by beating his nemesis Lin Dan of China in Seoul the previous Sunday. Yesterday, Chong Wei showed he was in a different league by extending his unbeaten run over Kenichi for the 11th time in sensational fashion.

The match was a foregone conclusion from the start as Chong Wei, spurred on by the fans, overpowered the tense Kenichi 21-6 in a flash. The second game could have ended just as fast if not for the short delay when Kenichi requested for the uneven white line on the court to be re-taped after taking a 2-1 lead.

Home comfort: Lee Chong Wei with the trophy and medal he received for winning the Malaysia Open yesterday. Chong Wei defeated Japan’s Kenichi Tago 21-6, 21-13 in the final.

The minor problem was quickly fixed and it did nothing to break Chong Wei’s rhythm as the Malaysian continued to dominate, romping home to victory 21-13.

“This is the easiest of all my Malaysia Open wins. I think Kenichi was overwhelmed by the crowd. This is the first time I have seen so many fans at a final here,” said a delighted Chong Wei.
“I’m grateful for their support. It’s great to win my eighth home title and I will definitely go for the ninth as no one has done it before.”

Chong Wei said winning back-to-back titles made for a great Chinese New Year celebration but he would remain cautious of a China backlash as far as his Olympic Games preparation was concerned.

“I ended last season with three semi-final defeats, in the China and Hong Kong Opens and the World Super Series Finals, to my rivals from China. It was towards the end of the year and I was mentally drained.
“I’m happy that I have got my momentum back again,” said Chong Wei.

“I beat Lin Dan at the Korea Open and Chen Long in the Malaysia Open. They are my two main rivals for the Olympics and I am naturally very happy as it is a major confidence boost.
“But I’m sure they will come back stronger. They will still be my main opponents in the battle for gold. I have to stay focused and not let these wins go to my head.”

On the lack of successors coming through, he said: “I haven’t seen any new talents making a mark in the Malaysia Open all these years. I hope more juniors will come through soon.”

Chong Wei said his book Dare to be a Champion, which was sold at the stadium for the first time yesterday, was meant to inspire the youngsters.

Danish delight: Christina Pedersen (top) and Kamilla Rytter Juhl celebrate after beating South Korea’s Ha Jungeun- Kim Min-jung 21-19, 21-18 to win the women’s doubles final yesterday.

“I have written about my humble beginnings. I hope my struggles and challenges will inspire them to go the extra mile.
“I’m living a comfortable life now but it all started in hardship.”

On his next mission, Chong Wei said he would lead the team to the Thomas Cup qualifying tournament in Macau from Feb 13-19.

”We don’t have a strong squad but I hope the younger players – Liew Daren and Mohd Arif Abdul Latif – will make an impact.

“I also hope Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong will regain their confidence and go all out in the qualifiers so we make it to the Finals,” he added.
For now, Chong Wei can spend some quality time with his family to celebrate the Chinese New Year. He deserves it.

By RAJES PAUL, KHENG ZHENG GUAN and JOEL ALEXANDER PIX: M. Azhar Arif

THE STAR

A first by Nur Suryani

2012-01-16T10:55:00.001+08:00

Nur Suryani has shot her way to the London Olympics to cap a fine start to the season.

NUR Suryani Mohd Taibi capped a superb start to the season by becoming the first local shooter to qualify for the London Olympics.

   The 29-year-old achieved it at the Asian Championships in Doha, where she finished fifth in the women's 10-metre air rifle event on Saturday.

   Nur Suryani amassed 99-99-100-99 in the preliminary round for a 397 total to reach her first ever final in the Asian Championships as the fourth best qualifier.

   She, however, failed to make the podium after chalking 102.7 in the final as her combined total of 499.7 points saw her tied for fourth with Iran's former World Cup medallist Ahmadi Elaheh but later dropped one rung after losing in the shoot-off.

China's World and Asian Games champion Yi Siling, also the current world holder in the discipline, won the title with a 502.2 total ahead of Kuwait's Arzouqi Maryam (500.6) and compatriot Du Li (500.4), a two-time Olympic gold medallist.

   Nur Suryani and Arzouqi were handed the automatic quota spots with China and Iran having already secured the maximum two spots-per country quota for the London Games.

   In the same event, Nur Ayuni Farhana Halim and Muslifah Zulkifli finished 16th (394) and 27th (392) respectively from a field of 53 shooters.

   The combined scores of Nur Suryani, Nur Ayuni and Muslifah saw Malaysia finish fourth with a 1,183 total in the team event.

China, led by Yi Siling, dominated proceedings with 1,192 points followed by India (1,187) and Iran (1,185).

   Nur Suryani, a double gold medallist at last year's Sea Games, was excited with her achievement on Saturday.

   "I did not perform well at last year's qualifying events in the World Cup series and that made me more determined to produce my best here," said Nur Suryani, when contacted in Doha, yesterday.

   "I am also the first local woman rifle shooter to qualify for the Olympic Games and this is something special. Everyone wants to become an Olympian and I am glad to finally achieve my goal after failing to do so four years ago."

   Nur Suryani said Saturday's event was tough as some of the best shooters in the world were competing in it.

   "I told myself that I needed to do it at all cost as this was my last chance to qualify for the London Games. I kept my cool and somehow I knew I would make the Olympics after qualifying for the final."

   Nur Suryani is best remembered for winning the bronze medal in the same discipline at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.

   In the men's 10m air rifle, Sea Games silver medallist Mohd Hadafi Jaafar finished 28th with 584 points.

   Benjamin Khor fared better than his father, Edward, in the men's double trap by finishing 16th on 131. Edward was placed four rungs below on 127.

Read more: NST

Suryani is Malaysia’s first woman shooter to qualify for the Olympics

2012-01-16T10:54:00.001+08:00

PETALING JAYA: Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi blasted her way into the history books with a superb performance at the Asian Shooting Championships in Doha on Saturday.

After capping a wonderful end to the season with a double gold triumph at the Indonesia SEA Games last year, the 29-year-old continued with her fiery form to achieve her dream to become the first Malaysian woman rifle shooter to compete in the Olympics.

Suryani chalked scores of 99-99-100-99 in the preliminary round for a total of 397 points to reach the women’s 10m air rifle final as the fourth best qualifier.

It was the first time Suryani had made the final of the event at the Asian meet, which is held every four years.
Suryani then only just missed out on a podium finish after scoring 102.7 in the final as her total of 499.7 points saw her tied for fourth with Iran’s Ahmadi Elaheh — just 0.7 of a point short of third place.

China’s world champion Yi Siling took gold on 502.2, ahead of Kuwait’s Arzouqi Maryam (500.6) and team-mate Du Li, a two-time Olympic gold medallist on 500.4.

But that did not really matter as Suryani secured one of the last two Olympic quota spots up for grabs in the Asian meet.

Suryani and the Kuwaiti were handed the berths as China and Iran had already secured the maximum two spots for the Olympics at the World Cup series last year. Two other Malaysians — Nur Ayuni Farhana Halim and Muslifah Zulkifli — finished 16th (394) and 27th (392) in the field of 53 shooters.

Suryani, in a telephone interview from Doha, said she was relieved to keep her part of the bargain as one of the handful of successful athletes from the “Road to London” programme.

“I was disappointed to miss the mark at the World Cup series last year and that really made me more determined to get into the Olympics,” she said.

“I knew I had a good chance once I managed into get to the final. This was the last shot to qualify on merit and I am happy to be the first Malaysian shooter to make it to the London Olympics.

“I hope more can qualify from here although we are competing against world class shooters,” said Suryani, who was also the first Malaysian woman shooter to win an Asian Games medal when she took the bronze in the same discipline at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.

Indonesia SEA Games silver medallist Mohd Hadafi Jaafar was placed 28th in the men’s 10m air rifle with 584 points.

In the men’s double trap, Malaysian youngster Benjamin Khor fared better than his more experienced dad, Edward. Benjamin was placed 16th with his effort of 131 while Edward finished four rungs below on 127.
Shooting is the latest to join the confirmed cast for the Olympics apart from badminton, diving and archery.

THE STAR

Suryani tempah tiket ke London

2012-01-16T09:51:00.001+08:00

Nur Suryani Mohd. Taibi layak bertanding pada Sukan Olimpik London 2012.

KUALA LUMPUR - Nur Suryani Mohd. Taibi melakar sejarah sukan menembak kebangsaan apabila menjadi penembak wanita raifal pertama layak bertanding di temasya Olimpik setelah meraih tiket dalam acara 10 meter Air Rifle menerusi Kejohanan Menembak Asia di Doha, kelmarin.

Penembak berusia 29 tahun itu layak selepas berkongsi tempat keempat dengan penembak Iran, Ahmadi Elaheh dalam peringkat akhir acara tersebut
Terdahulu, Nur Suryani membidik kombinasi skor 99-99-100-99 (397 mata) pada pusingan kelayakkan untuk melangkah ke final selaku pilihan keempat.
Pemenang pingat emas berganda Sukan SEA XXVI Indonesia itu seterusnya mengumpul tambahan 102.7 mata untuk menjadikan kutipan mata keseluruhan 499.7 mata.

Jumlah itu, walaupun sekadar meletakkannya di tempat keempat bersama Ahmadi, namun sudah memadai untuk Nur Suryani meraih baki dua kuota terakhir yang ditawarkan untuk benua Asia.

Satu lagi tiket jatuh ke tangan penembak Kuwait, Arzouqi Maryam yang muncul naib juara acara itu dengan catatan 500.6 mata.
China dan Iran masing-masing telah pun memiliki kuota maksimum kuota, jadi mereka tidak lagi layak untuk menerima tiket tambahan walaupun penembak mereka menguasai acara 10m Air Rifle pada Kejohanan Asia ini yang diadakan empat tahun sekali.

Acara itu dimenangi juara dunia yang juga pemegang rekod dunianya, Yi Siling dengan 502.2 mata manakala rakan sepasukannya yang merupakan juara Olimpik dua kali, Du Li menduduki merangkul gangsa dengan 500.4 mata.

"Memang sangat mengecewakan apabila saya terlepas tiket awal menerusi beberapa pusingan Piala Dunia tahun lalu, namun itulah juga sebabnya saya menjadi lebih berazam dan membuat persiapan lebih rapi untuk merealisasikan impian menjadi Olimpian.

"Saya bertandang ke Doha mengetahui peluang layak adalah amat cerah selagi saya dapat layak ke peringkat akhir.
"Setahu saya tiada penembak rifle wanita dari negara kita pernah ke Olimpik, saya bangga untuk menjadi yang pertama," katanya.

Dengan itu, Nur Suryani menjadi atlet terbaru sah ke London 2012 selepas Pandelela Rinong, Yeoh Ken Nee dan Bryan Nickson Lomas (terjun) dan trio memanah, Cheng Chu Sian, Khairul Anuar Mohamed dan Haziq Kamaruddin.

Sementara itu, dua lagi penembak kita yang turut beraksi dalam acara yang sama, Nur Ayuni Farhana Halim dan Muslifah Zulkifli masing-masing menduduki tempat ke-16 (394 mata) dan ke-27 (392 mata) daripada sejumlah 53 penembak kesemuanya.

Oleh TAN MING WAI
tan.mingwai@utusan.com.my

BAM lakukan apa sahaja demi emas Olimpik

2012-01-12T10:14:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR - Misi emas pertama pada Sukan Olimpik 2012 London terus disemarakkan oleh Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) yang berjanji untuk melakukan apa sahaja buat pemain perseorangan negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei.

Presiden BAM, Datuk Nadzmi Mohd. Salleh, berkata, tahun ini kalendar badminton negara sibuk dengan Terbuka Malaysia, Piala Thomas dan All England namun tumpuan utama tetap diletakkan dalam Sukan Olimpik.

"Sasaran kita merebut peluang keemasan ini dengan memenangi pingat emas pertama negara di temasya tersebut, jadi ia menjadi tanggungjawab kita usaha sedaya upaya untuk meraihnya," katanya selepas melakukan kunjungan hormat ke kediaman isteri Perdana Menteri, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor di sini, semalam.

Jelasnya, semua pihak perlu bersama-sama membantu pemain No. 1 satu dunia itu, untuk merealisasikan impian Malaysia meraih pingat emas pertama pada Olimpik, selepas gagal melakukannya pada 2008 di Beijing.

"Kita akan berbincang dengan Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) dan Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) untuk merencana strategi baru buat Chong Wei dalam tempoh lima atau enam bulan sebelum Sukan Olimpik.
"Ini untuk membolehkan Chong Wei lebih bersedia menghadapi sesiapa sahaja lawannya di temasya tersebut," kata Nadzmi.

Sementara itu, Nadzmi berkata, BAM telah mengadakan perbincangan dengan beberapa pihak termasuk Kementerian Kerja Raya bagi mempercepatkan pembinaan Akademi Badminton Kebangsaan yang tertangguh beberapa kali.

"Kita terlewat sedikit kerana tapak yang diberikan kepada BAM telah bertukar beberapa kali menyebabkan perbelanjaan melebihi peruntukan asal," katanya.

Pada 2008, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yang ketika itu menjadi Timbalan Perdana Menteri mengumumkan pembinaan akademi tersebut dengan peruntukan RM24 juta.

Oleh FERZAlFIE FAUZI
ferzalfie.fauzi@utusan.com.my

Peluang terakhir ke Olimpik

2012-01-11T10:39:00.002+08:00

SKUAD terjun negara menjadikan medan latihan di Kunming, China, bermula minggu ini, sebagai landasan persediaan terbaik ke Piala Dunia Fina di London sekali gus meraih lebih banyak tiket ke Olimpik.

Piala Dunia Fina yang diadakan di London, 20-26 Februari ini menjadi medan terakhir untuk merebut tiket kelayakan ke Olimpik dan ia saingan penting buat atlet negara yang masing-masing tampil dengan misi tersendiri.

Lebih-lebih lagi buat Leong Mun Yee, yang belum lagi meraih sebarang tiket kelayakan ke saingan berprestij dunia itu.
“Saya sememangnya mengharapkan tuah latihan tiga minggu di Kunming untuk tampil lebih hebat di Piala Dunia Fina nanti. Ini kerana berbeza dengan rakan seangkatan, hanya saya seorang saja yang belum meraih tiket ke Olimpik.

“Piala Dunia Fina adalah penting buat saya. Sepanjang tahun lalu sehingga kini saya berlatih amat gigih bagi merealisasikan misi ke Olimpik. Saya agak tertekan kerana ketinggalan berbanding rakan lain yang kini sudah menempah kedudukan selesa, tetapi mereka semua memberi sokongan padu buat saya,” katanya selepas sesi latihan semalam.

Selain Mun Yee, skuad terjun membariskan Pandelela Rinong, Bryan Nickson Lomas, Yeoh Ken Nee dan muka baru, Traisy Vivien Tukiet serta Ooi Tze Liang akan berlepas ke China, esok untuk menjalani latihan intensif tiga minggu bagi persediaan ke Piala Dunia Fina.

Hanya Mun Yee masih ketinggalan berbanding tiga penerjun negara yang sudah layak ke Olimpik, Bryan dalam acara 3m papan anjal dan 10m platform individu, Ken Nee, 3m papan anjal individu serta Pandelela dalam acara 10m platform individu.

Bagaimanapun, Bryan, Ken Nee dan Pandelela masih mempunyai impian untuk memburu lebih banyak tiket ke London di Piala Dunia Fina nanti.

“Kami mempunyai misi tersendiri untuk memburu lebih banyak tiket ke London serta melonjakkan nama atlet terjun Malaysia di mata dunia.

“Tetapi dalam usaha memburu misi itu, kami tidak lupakan Mun Yee. Kami yakin dia mampu lakukan yang terbaik dan berdasarkan prestasinya ketika ini, tiada masalah untuknya meraih tiket Olimpik dan sama-sama mengiringi kami ke London nanti,” kata Bryan yang menduduki tempat ke-16 dan ke-26 bagi acara 10m platform individu di Sukan Olimpik Beijing dan Athens, Greece. Kata semangat dilontar Bryan itu turut disokong Pandelela dan Ken Nee.

Mun Yee, 27, akan menyertai acara 10m platform seirama bergandingan dengan rakan baiknya Pandelela di Piala Dunia Fina bulan depan.

“Setakat ini saya tidak mempunyai sebarang masalah, cuma saya baru saja berdepan kecederaan di leher dan lutut kanan dua minggu lalu,” katanya.

HARIAN METRO

China uji skuad hoki negara

2012-01-11T10:38:00.002+08:00

LIMA aksi persahabatan dengan China minggu ini dilihat bakal menjadi platform terbaik buat skuad hoki negara yang kini dalam persiapan terakhir menghadapi kempen Kelayakan Olimpik 2012 di Dublin, Mac depan.

Setelah menamatkan saingan Cabaran Juara-Juara II di tempat kelima penghujung ta hun lalu, skuad kendalian Tai Beng Hai itu kini turun menentang China pada aksi pertama musim 2012 di Stadium Hoki Nasional, Bukit Jalil petang ini.

Skuad Projek 2013 yang menjuarai Piala Sultan Johor edisi pertama menewaskan Australia tahun lalu, turut mendapat peluang menguji kemampuan mereka menentang China dalam satu perlawanan.

China yang juga dalam persiapan menghadapi kempen Kelayakan Olimpik di Kakamigahara, Jepun April depan diramal membawa kesemua pemain terbaik mereka ke Kuala Lumpur kali ini.

Siri persahabatan ini diaturkan oleh Konfederasi Hoki Malaysia (MHC) bagi menggantikan Kejohanan Piala Sultan Azlan Shah yang terpaksa ditunda dari Februari ke pertengahan tahun ini berikutan tiada sambutan daripada negara-negara lain yang mula memberi fokus kepada Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London.

Bagi aksi persahabatan dengan China minggu ini, skuad negara dikhabarkan bakal kehilangan tujuh pemain utama dalam beberapa pertemuan berikutan mereka terpaksa mengambil peperiksaan di universiti masing- masing.

Selepas lima siri persahabatan ini, Malaysia akan berkunjung ke Perth bagi menyertai empat aksi ujian dengan pasukan No. 1 dunia, Australia dan juga dua siri persahabatan dengan Belanda.
"Selain China, kita juga berjaya mendapatkan empat aksi persahabatan dengan Australia bermula 29 Januari dan juga dua perlawanan lagi dengan Belanda di Perth.

"Ini adalah peluang terbaik bagi pemain Malaysia untuk menguji tahap sebenar mereka dengan menentang dua pasukan handalan dunia ini sebelum turun pada misi sebenar dalam kempen Kelayakan Olimpik, Mac nanti," kata Setiausaha Kehormat MHC, Maninderjit Singh.

Sementara itu, skuad wanita negara pula akan memulakan kempen Kelayakan Olimpik 2012 di Kakamigahara, Jepun, dengan menentang Azerbaijan pada 25 April depan.

Selepas itu Malaysia dijadualkan bertemu Jepun pada aksi kedua (27 April), diikuti Belarus (29 April), Chile (1 Mei) dan Austria (3 Mei).

KOSMO

Malaysia get test matches against world champions Australia

2012-01-11T10:38:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia hockey team have surprisingly landed six high quality matches for their final phase of training for the March Olympic qualifier in Dublin.

The team will play the six matches against reigning world champions Australia and Holland in Perth.
Earlier, it was thought that the matches in Australia would be against their development side as their national team are involved in a Tri-Nation meet.

However, their senior team have agreed to play four matches from Jan 29 to Feb 2, after which Malaysia will take on Holland in another two matches on Feb 4 and 5.

Team manager George Koshy was delighted to have secured the six matches.
“We will get some very high quality games and playing the best in the world is always a welcome addition to our preparations.

“Australia, Holland and Argentina are playing in a Tri-Nation meet and we are grateful to Australia and Holland for arranging the matches for us,” said George.
The squad leave for Perth on Jan 28 and return on Feb 6.

The training programme from Feb 6-28 is still not finalised. Japan were supposed to come for some matches but they have yet to make a decision.

Malaysia start their preparation for the Dublin meet with five matches against China starting tomorrow until Jan 20 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

The team leave for Europe on Feb 28. They will go to Cardiff for acclimatisation and also play matches against Wales. They are expected to reach Dublin on Mar 5. The qualifier is from Mar 10-18.

Six teams play in the qualifier with only the winner getting the ticket to the London Olympics. The other teams in the fray are South Korea, Ireland, Ukraine, Chile and Russia.

George said they are happy with the matches that have been fixed.
“In the event Japan do not come we will not be unduly worried as we have the matches we need for the final phase of training. Between Feb 6-28 we can always play with the Project 2013 team to fine tune our moves.”

THE STAR

Nur Suryani puts London Olympic dream ahead of starting a family

2012-01-10T10:16:00.002+08:00

PETALING JAYA: Motherhood can wait as double SEA Games gold medallist Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi (pic) sets her sights on realising her dream of competing in the London Olympics this year.

Suryani is at the Asian Championships starting tomorrow in Doha, which is the final qualifying meet for shooters from the continent aiming to get on board the plane to London.

Suryani showed impressive form at the Indonesia SEA Games last November to strike a double in the women’s 10m air rifle and 50m rifle three-position, which eventually earned her the Woman Olympian of the Year award for 2011.

The 29-year-old, who got married a few months before the SEA Games, is hopeful she can get her act right in the Asian meet from Jan 11-22.

“Winning the two gold medals at the end of the year was a great wedding gift. I am more confident of my abilities and want to give my best shot to make the Olympics.

“I continued to prepare for the Asian meet after the SEA Games and stand a good chance of a top-five finish as the China shooters have already filled their Olympic quota,” said the determined Suryani.

“I have plans to raise a family but it can wait as my goal is to be the first Malaysian woman shooter to compete in the Olympics. My hubby (Marhazli Mohtar) is understanding and allows me to pursue my dream,” she added.

There are two Olympic spots for women’s 10m air rifle and three for the 50m rifle three-position up for grabs in the Asian meet.

Suryani has been consistent in the major tournaments over the past two years.
She stunned the shooting fraternity with a silver medal in the 10m air rifle event at the 2010 ISSF World Cup in Sydney before earning bronze in the same event at the Guangzhou Asian Games.
Suryani partnered Nur Ayuni Farhana Halim to take gold in the 10m air rifle pairs at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010.

Malaysia have sent 15 shooters for the Asian meet, which is held every four years but Suryani, Farhana and Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan are the best hopes to make the cut for the Olympics.

Hasli was the country’s first shooter to qualify on merit for an Olympic shooting competition, which he achieved by earning a spot in the 2008 Beijing Games after winning silver at the previous Asian meet in Kuwait.

The local shooters competed in four ISSF World Cups and all Olympic qualifying events last year but failed to make the grade.

THE STAR

Chong Wei 'benam' Lin Dan

2012-01-09T09:50:00.000+08:00

CHONG WEI (kiri) menewaskan Lin Dan pada final Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Korea semalam.

AKHIRNYA, badi dan mimpi buruk jaguh perseorangan negara apabila bertemu Lin Dan lenyap di gelanggang Korea.

Semalam, takhta juara pada Kejohanan Badminton Siri Super Terbuka Korea kembali ke genggaman pemain No. 1 dunia, Datuk Lee Chong Wei setelah mengalahkan seteru utamanya, Lin Dan.

Dengan keputusan 12-21, 21-18, 21-14, Chong Wei dipaksa bekerja keras sebelum menumpaskan jaguh dari China itu pada final acara perseorangan lelaki.

Kejayaan pemain berusia 29 tahun di Gimnasium Olimpik Seoul, Korea itu menyaksikan dia membawa pulang ganjaran bernilai AS$75,000 (RM235,875).

Lin Dan yang menang selesa 12-21 di set pertama tidak kekal lama apabila Chong Wei menemui rentak untuk 'mendiamkan' jagoan dari China itu dengan mengheretnya ke perlawanan ke set penentuan yang mengambil masa satu jam 16 minit.

Nyata, reaksi positif yang ditunjukkan dan semangat untuk membalas dendam yang membara, memberi impak ke atas kejayaannya untuk menumbangkan Lin Dan.

Sejak awal lagi, bahang pertembungan antara dua musuh tradisi ini amat terasa dalam keduanya mencari kemenangan dengan menjelangnya Sukan Olimpik Julai nanti.

Justeru, dengan gelaran juara pada awal tahun 2012, ia dilihat bukan saja membangkitkan semangat juara dunia itu dalam pemburuan pingat emasnya di Sukan Olimpik 2012 malah sebagai peringatan kepada jaguh-jaguh China lain termasuk Chen Long.

Malah, rekod perlawanan yang konsisten memperlihatkan Chong Wei masih mempunyai sentuhan berbisa untuk membenam pemain-pemain dari China yang selama ini sering menjadi halangan kepadanya.

Ini termasuklah skrip ulangan yang ditempuhi Chong Wei tahun lalu apabila terpaksa bertarung hebat untuk menewaskan bintang dari China, Du Pengyu dalam aksi separuh akhir kelmarin.

Sementara itu, Lin Dan, juara dunia empat kali yang menewaskan Chong Wei dalam empat daripada lima pertemuan sepanjang 2011, terlebih dahulu menunjukkan jalan keluar kepada pemain Jepun, Sho Sasaki dalam perlawanan separuh akhir kelmarin.

Dalam pada itu, bagi kategori beregu lelaki pula, pemain tuan rumah, Jae Sung Jung-Yong Dae Lee tumpas kepada pemain China, Chai Yun dan Fu Haifeng dengan keputusan 18-21 21-17 21-19.

Bagi perseorangan wanita, peserta China, Wang Shixiang mudah menumpaskan rakan senegara, Jiang Yanjioa 21-12 21-17.

Peserta China terus gah apabila meraih kejuaraan dalam kategori beregu wanita dengan kejayaan Tian Qing-ZhaoYunlei 21-18 21-13 ke atas Jung Eun Ha-Ming Jung Kim dari Korea.

Oleh SHANIKA ABDULLATIB
shanika.latib@kosmo.com.my

Chong Wei Welcomes Year Of The Dragon By Beating Lin Dan To Clinch Korea Open Title

2012-01-09T09:44:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- World No 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei rolled out his 2012 badminton campaign in-style after defeating his nemesis Lin Dan of China in the men's singles final to lift the Korea Open title today.

The national shuttler lost 12-21 in the first set but bounced back superbly in the next two sets, displaying superior court coverage and dazzling skills, to win 21-18 and 21-14, in an hour and 16 minutes at the Seoul Olympic Gymnasium.

With the victory, the 29-year-old Penangite avenged his defeat against the Chinese ace in the same tournament last year.

Chong Wei pocketed US$75,000 (RM235,875) as the champion while Lin Dan took home US$38,000 (RM119,510) as the runner-up.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysia to set up camp in Cardiff ahead of Olympic qualifiers

2012-01-06T09:35:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The national hockey team will set up camp in Cardiff from Feb 28-March 5 prior to the Olympic qualifier in Dublin.

The Cardiff camp is to allow the players to acclimatise to the weather and to play matches against Wales ahead of the Dublin qualifiers, which will begin on March 10.

The national team hope to play at least three matches against the Welsh national side between March 1-4.
The national team have also finalised their programme for this month and are just waiting to confirm the series against Japan next month.

Malaysia’s programme will start with the six-match series against China from Jan 10-20 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

This will be followed by a tour of Australia from Jan 28-Feb 4. They hope to play four to six matches against the Australian Development team in Perth.

Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) secretary Maninderjit Singh said yesterday that the team should have around 20 matches under their belt prior to the qualifiers.

Malaysia’s main threat in the Olympic qualifier, from March 10-18, are world No. 6 South Korea.
The other teams in the fray are Ireland, Chile, Russia and Ukraine. Only the winner will make the cut for the London Olympics.

The national team had earlier been offered the University of Bath as a possible camp site before to qualifiers.
But they decided against it after arranging the matches with Wales, who wanted to play in Cardiff.

The Malaysians will move to Dublin on March 5 and their opening match will be against Chile (March 10).
The MHC have also arranged for a three-day motivational camp, run by the National Sports Institute (NSI), for the team in Port Dickson from Feb 17-19.

By S. RAMAGURU - THE STAR

Azizul harap tuah 2012

2012-01-06T09:31:00.000+08:00

MENYAMBUT ulang tahun kelahiran yang ke-24 semalam, jaguh lumba basikal negara, Azizulhasni Awang (gambar) mengharapkan tahun 2012 akan memberikan satu kenangan indah yang tidak akan dilupakannya.

Fokusnya kini hanya satu iaitu untuk bergelar atlet pertama negara menghadiahkan pingat emas buat negara di temasya sukan terbesar dunia, Olimpik yang bermula dari 27 Julai hingga 12 Ogos ini.

Justeru latihan kini terarah kepada mencari kekuatan kayuhan untuk bangkit menguasai kedudukan carta Piala Dunia dalam acara keirin dan pecut.
Azizul mengharapkan 2012 membuka lembaran baru dengan kejadian yang berlaku ketika Siri Piala Dunia Klasik kedua di Cali apabila dia terbabit dengan kemalangan tidak akan berulang.

“Saya masih tidak fobia atau takut untuk bertanding. Prestasi saya sekarang semakin meningkat dan saya harap selepas ini nasib akan selalu baik dan dijauhi daripada kemalangan,” katanya.

Dia yang tidak turun beraksi pada siri ketiga Piala Dunia Klasik yang ketiga di Beijing pada 13 hingga 15 Januari ini berkata, jurulatih, John Beasley kini mahu memberi tumpuan khusus kepada latihan serta memperbaiki kekurangan sebelum Kejohanan Dunia, Mac ini.

“Saya tidak ke Beijing kerana mahu memberi tumpuan pada siri Piala Dunia keempat di London Februari ini. Semoga tiada kejadian tidak di ingin berulang lagi,” katanya.

Azizul bersama skuad elit yang lain terdiri daripada Josiah Ng dan Fatehah Mustapa berada dalam kedudukan selesa dari segi pungutan mata dan antara alasan mengapa Beasley mengambil pendekatan untuk memberi tumpuan kepada latihan semata-mata.

Oleh Aida Adilah Mat
aida@hmetro.com.my

Injury scuppers Elaine’s Olympic dreams and may force her to retire

2012-01-04T11:51:00.000+08:00

PETALING JAYA: This is definitely not a very happy new year for taekwondo exponent Elaine Teo.

The 30-year-old former Asian Games bronze medallist may be forced into premature retirement due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee.

Elaine tore her ACL while competing at the Asian taekwondo qualifiers for the London Olympics in Bangkok last month and is set to undergo surgery on Tuesday.
The surgery will surely end her hopes of competing at the London Olympics in August as she will need to go through a long rehabilitation period.

She is the most experienced member of the national taekwondo team, having represented the country since 1999.

Elaine, who made her SEA Games debut with a gold in Brunei that year, was disappointed to bow out this way.

“I’ve had the injury for some time now and Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz (chief executive officer of the National Sports Institute) advised me to go for surgery earlier so that I can continue fighting,” said Elaine.

“But I put off the surgery as I wanted to try and qualify for the London Olympics.
“I only managed to finish fourth but the worst part was that I tore my meniscus and ACL.
“I will have to go for surgery and I will need about six to seven months of rehabilitation.

“There’s no way I can go to the Olympics. I will probably have to quit as well ... unless there is someone coming up in my weight division for the next SEA Games,” added Elaine, who represented the country at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics.

She also holds the distinction of being the only taekwondo exponent to have won the National Sportswoman Award in 2004.

Asked about her plans, Elaine, who competes in bantamweight category, revealed that she was keen to go into coaching “provided there is a place for me in the national set-up”.

“I love taekwondo and I hope to share my experience and knowledge gained over the years,” she said.
Elaine skipped the recent Indonesia SEA Games to prepare for the Asian qualifiers in Bangkok, where she missed out on a place for the London Olympics after finishing fourth.
Only the top three finishers made the cut.

THE STAR

Pandelela buru dua lagi tiket ke London

2012-01-04T11:45:00.001+08:00

Bryan Nickson Lomas (kiri) dan Pandelela Rinong menjalani rutin latihan di Pusat Akuatik Nasional, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR - Ratu terjun negara, Pandelela Rinong akan menggalas tugasan berganda pada Piala Dunia Terjun FINA di London bulan depan.

Selain memastikan tiket Olimpik dalam acara 10 meter platform seirama bersama Leong Mun Yee yang mana mereka berdua adalah pasangan No. 3 dunia berada dalam genggaman, dia juga dipertanggungjawabkan untuk memburu slot 3m papan anjal individu.

Papan anjal bukanlah disiplin kegemaran Pandelela, namun ketua jurulatih, Yang Zhuliang percaya anak didiknya itu mampu mencapainya pada saingan yang menjadi pentas kelayakan terakhir Olimpik.

"Lela (Pandelela) sudah layak dalam acara 10m platform individu menerusi Kejohanan Dunia di Shanghai tahun lalu, jadi dia mempunyai ruang untuk berlatih memantapkan terjunan bagi disiplin papan anjal.
"Saya fikir ada baiknya jika dia boleh membantu Malaysia meraih kuota tambahan 3m papan anjal individu. Kita mahukan sebanyak kuota yang mungkin untuk menghantar perwakilan terbesar ke Olimpik nanti," katanya yang ditemui semalam.

Penyertaan Malaysia dalam acara tersebut selama ini diwakili sama ada Cheong Jun Hoong, Wendy Ng Yan Yee dan Mun Yee.

Malaysia mengintai dua slot maksimum acara ini di Piala Dunia, namun hanya pemenang pingat emas Sukan SEA XXVI Indonesia, Jun Hoong dilihat lebih berpeluang berbanding rakan sepasukan Wendy berdasarkan prestasi semasa.

Sementara Mun Yee pula tidak akan diturunkan dalam acara individu kerana Zhuliang inginkan jaguh veteran itu memfokuskan sepenuhnya dalam acara platform seirama yang gandingannya dengan Pandelela dilihat paling berpotensi untuk mencipta kejutan menaiki podium di Olimpik.

Pandelela, biarpun jarang beraksi dalam acara papan anjal sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini, dia sememangnya menjadi sandaran terbaik.

Pada temasya Olimpik Remaja Singapura 2010, Pandelela berjaya membawa pulang dua perak dan salah satunya ialah acara 3m papan anjal indvidu.

Sebanyak 12 slot acara terbabit telah pun diisi pada Kejohanan Dunia Shanghai dan dua lagi dimiliki juara Ocenia dan Eropah, justeru masih ada baki 20 tiket untuk direbut bulan depan.

Turut berpeluang cerah layak ke temasya London 2012 adalah Traisy Vivien Tukiet (10m platform wanita individu) dan Ooi Tze Liang (10m platform lelaki individu).

UTUSAN MALAYSIA

Our Olympic gold medal dream

2012-01-03T10:21:00.000+08:00

IT IS every athlete's dream to compete in the Olympics, the greatest arena for sports. No matter how many times an athlete has won world competitions or becomes world No 1 in his or her sport, there's still that missing feeling if the athlete has not won the ultimate prize – an Olympic gold medal.

In Malaysia's case, we have two world No 1 athletes, Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Datuk Nicol David. While Chong Wei had a crack at the Olympics and won a silver in Beijing four years ago, Nicol has been denied hers because squash is not an Olympic sport.

Nicol has bagged 56 Women's International Squash Players Association titles since turning pro in 2000 including the world title a record six times.

But after winning her sixth title in Rotterdam in November, she said she would willingly trade them all for one Olympic gold medal. So it is on the shoulders of Chong Wei and Chong Wei alone that Malaysia can in the foreseeable future land that much sought after prize.

An Olympic gold is so phenomenal that even if a country were to win hundreds of silver or bronze medals, it would be forgotten well before the next Olympics because the colour isn't gold.

In a huge country like Indonesia, the name Taufik Hidayat is better known than any of its other personalities whether in entertainment or politics. Why? At 24, he mesmerised 200 million Indonesians when he won the badminton gold medal at the 2004 Olympics.

Taufik during his heyday may not have won many titles on the international circuit or reigned as world No 1 for as long as Chong Wei but like China's legendary Lin Dan, he certainly knew when to peak and win the tournaments that really mattered especially for his country's honour.

In other words, both players are more selective than Chong Wei who is ubiquitous in the tournaments that he plays and picks up the most points to hold on to the No 1 ranking.

Last year, he had a hectic schedule competing in 15 tournaments, winning seven of them. But Chong Wei was obviously exhausted towards the end of 2011, beaten in three consecutive semi-finals. The new year has just started but as you are reading this column, Chong Wei is already in the court for the Korean Open Super Series Premier which begins in Seoul today.

This is indeed an important year in the quest for Malaysia's first Olympic gold as the Olympics will be staged in London from July 27 to Aug 12.

Realistically, the London Olympics is about the only chance in a long time for Malaysia to land this medal. And the entire country's focus is on Chong Wei but look at the recent statements from Chong Wei and his coach Tey Seu Bock. Our most accomplished badminton player said he wanted his former coach Datuk Misbun Sidek to help him prepare for the Olympics while Seu Bock said Chong Wei has no plans to cut down on the tournaments before the London showdown.

After the Korean Open, he is down to compete in the Malaysian Open. Then there is the Thomas Cup qualifier next month, the All-England and Swiss Open in March, the India Open in April and the Malaysia Open GP in May.

Assuming Malaysia makes it to the Thomas Cup Finals, Chong Wei will be in the thick of action in May and the Indonesian Open in June. Do Chong Wei and his coach have their priorities right? And why did Chong Wei want Misbun to help him? Does it mean that he's not so confident in his coach? Well, I shall touch on Badminton Association of Malaysia's (BAM) selection of coaches another time.

Misbun is known to be a sensitive person and resigned in a huff following a tiff with the BAM last year. Chong Wei has put the BAM in a spot by wanting Misbun back. After what happened I don't think Misbun is in the right frame of mind to help Chong Wei win the gold medal.

Seu Bok wants Chong Wei to compete at his own pace saying it's vital that "we don't heap extra pressure on him and hopefully he'll stay injury-free till July".

I have closely followed our badminton scene for almost 50 years but if you ask me, I'm worried that with the punishing pace Chong Wei has charted, our first Olympic gold might well remain a pipe dream.
And not to forget that when the London Olympics gets going, Chong Wei will be two months shy of his 30th birthday, an age considered old in badminton, perhaps the most physically taxing of sports.

Can someone at BAM or the Sports Ministry – which has been spending millions on its Road to London programme from 2009 to land that first gold – do something more sensible?

Chong Wei has not only to contend with Lin Dan, arguably the best badminton player the world has ever seen, but has to worry about the growing threat from Chinese youngster Chen Long. Chong Wei lost three times to Chen Long in 2011.

Just look at the way Chen Long played and the stamina he showed when he beat Chong Wei at the semi-final of the World Super Series and how tamely he lost to Lin Dan. Knowing Lin Dan, he will lie low in terms of the tournaments he chooses and there's no way that he'll allow the Olympic gold to slip from his hands.

As for Nicol, there is nothing more that she wants now than to see squash accepted as an Olympic event. She is not giving up her crusade to get the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to do this despite the failure of her latest attempt for the sport to be included in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The IOC snubbed squash in favour of golf and rugby.

Nicol first presented a paper for the inclusion of squash to the IOC in 2009. "My dream has always been to play in the Olympics and I will do everything to see squash in the Games," she said.

The irony is that even if squash were to be an Olympic sport in 2020, in all likelihood Nicol won't be there to win that gold as she'll be 37. But it's not impossible to expect Nicol, dubbed Malaysia's greatest ever athlete, to come out of retirement to prove a point. She might do just that.

Posted on 3 January 2012 - 03:14am- The Sun

Azman Ujang

Azman Ujang is a former editor-in-chief of Bernama. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

Malaysia's Quest For Olympic Gold On Right Track - Shabery

2012-01-03T09:47:00.002+08:00

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's quest for a first ever gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics is on the right track says Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

Ahmad Shabery said though not many athletes have qualified for the London Olympics, the search for tickets to the Olympics continues to take priority among athletes.

"Currently not many have qualified for the London Olympics because the qualifying mark or standard is high. To those who have qualified, I wish them 'syabas' but they must continue to improve their performance to have any chance of winning.

"Many are still in the process of earning ranking points to earn qualification to London," he told reporters here.

He also urged those under the 'Road To London 2012' programme to work extra hard to earn their slot to London.

Ahmad Shabery wanted those who had already qualified, to focus, train with commitment and determination because the prospect of winning the country's first Olympic gold medal would rest on their shoulders.

Seven athletes, four from archery, (Cheng Chu Sian, Khairul Anuwar Mohamad, Haziq Kamaruddin, Nurul Syafiqah Hashim) and three from diving (Bryan Nickson Lomas, Pandelela Rinong, Yeoh Ken Nee) have qualified for the London Olympics on merit.

However, the main hopes of winning a gold medal would rest on badminton and cycling although the National Sports Council (NSC) has placed six sports under the 'Road to London Programme' namely badminton, cycling, diving, shooting, archery and hockey.

As for the two-year suspension for karate coach P. Arivalagan meted out by the Asian Karate Federation for his alleged outburst over the decision of referees during the SEA Games in Indonesia, Ahmad Shabery said he would discuss the matter with the responsible federation.

-- BERNAMA

Cycling: Cyclist Zamri Salleh Qualifies For London Olympics

2012-01-03T09:46:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- National cyclist Mohd Zamri Salleh has secured a place for the London Olympics road race after becoming the overall winner of the Malaysian Grand Prix Circuit (GP Grand Finale) 2011 which ended at Dataran Tanjung Emas, Muar on Saturday.

Mohd Zamri will be adorning the Terengganu Cycling Team (TGS) jersey this season after winning 49 points from seven GP championships, including getting on the podium twice -- at the Kelantan GP and Melaka GP, Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Abu Samah Abdul Wahab said in a statement Sunday.

The Laos SEA Games 2009 bronze medallist was crowned the overall winner despite finishing in the eighth position in the 174.10km race after he left his closest rival trailing in the 11th position.

Mohd Nor Umardi and Mohammad Saufi Mat Senan, both from TSG, finished second and third overall in the GPs after each of them collected 44 points, said Abu Samah.

The winner of the road race was TSG's Nur Amirull Fakhruddin Mazuki, who clocked 4hr, 25mins 112 seconds, 1.371s ahead of national trainee Mohd Zulhilmi Afif.

For Mohd Zamri, he attributed his selection in the Olympics to consistency of performance as he made a marked improvement by training with cyclists from TSG after a dismal performance in 2010.

"I think I have no problem in teaming up with TSG cyclists as our major advantage is being able to communicate in the local Terengganu Malay dialect. This raised my spirit to be more successful in 2012," he said in a statement.

Mohd Zamri believes that if his brother, Mohd Hariff is also selected for the Olympics, both of them could spring surprises in road races.

"Anyway, I am not an avid sprinter. I am a domestique (a member who assists the leader, as by setting a pace)," he added.

Malaysia have already confirmed their participation in London Olympics road races and are expected to name another cyclist for the event.

In women's elite category, Kedah's Masziyaton Radzi emerged the overall champion after collecting 89 points while Selangor's Mariana Mohamad came in second with 71 points.

-- BERNAMA

Hockey team get NSI offer to set up camp at Bath

2011-12-30T12:05:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Sports Institute (NSI) have offered the Malaysian hockey team the chance to set up camp at the University of Bath before the Olympic qualifier in Dublin from March 10-18.

“There is a hockey facility at Bath which is ideal for the team to use to acclimatise to the conditions in the UK. We have offered it to the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) and are waiting to hear from them,” said NSI chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz yesterday.

In August, the national shuttlers, led by world number one Lee Chong Wei, utilised the facilities at Bath to prepare for the World Championships in London.

The NSI are already helping the hockey team. Several experts are with the squad and a few of their officers are expected to accompany the players to Dublin.

The team are now preparing for a six-match series with China here from Jan 11-20.
A similar series with India in New Delhi from Jan 27-Feb 4 has been cancelled after the Indians requested for a change in dates.

National team manager George Koshy said they were unable to respond to NSI’s offer as they have yet to finalise their programme for February.

“We are still hoping to arrange more matches. The problem is we need matches and we do not have enough at the moment. As we are in the midst of the holiday season there is no way we can confirm anything at the moment,” said Gerorge.

“But the plan is to leave about 10 days before the Dublin tournament. We can set up camp in Bath but we have to ensure we can play matches at the nearby areas. We have written to Britain for matches and are waiting for a reply. Once the matches are confirmed, it will be clearer where we want to set up camp,” added George.

George said Wales had agreed to play with Malaysia in Cardiff.
“But if we play Wales, then it does not make sense to stay at Bath as that will involve a lot of travelling.
“So, we are keeping the Wales’ offer open for now. We will confirm it once our programme is finalised,” he said.

THE STAR

National Athletes Can Still Qualify For London Olympics - NSC

2011-12-29T11:34:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- National athletes under the 'Road To London 2012' programme can still qualify for next year's London Oylmpics, said National Sports Council (NSC) Athletes Division director Ahmad Shapawi Ismail.

He said several qualifying meets had been identified to enable all athletes in the programme to qualify for the London Games, which will kick off at the end of July next year.

"Although the London Olympics is getting near, just 212 days away, it does not mean time has run out for national athletes to qualify (for the London Olympics)," he told Bernama here.

So far seven national athletes have qualified for the London Olympics with four of them from the archery squad, namely Cheng Chu Sian, Khairul Anuwar Mohamad, Haziq Kamaruddin and Nurul Syafiqah Hashim.

The others are divers Bryan Nikson Lomas, Pandelela Rinong and Yeoh Ken Nee.

Ahmad Shapawi said the NSC had lined up several competitions for the women's archery squad to enable the lady archers make the cut.

They have the World Championships in the United States in July to qualify with the Grand Prix Asia in Thailand, World Cup first series (China) and World Cup second series (Turkey) as pre-cursors.

As for the national shuttlers and cyclists, Ahmad Shapawi said, they still had until May next year to qualify while the Asian Championship in Doha, Qatar in February would be the final chance for the national shooters.

Meanwhile, the national men's hockey squad will know whether they get to compete in the London Games after the Oylmpic Qualifiers in Ireland in March next year.

Under the 'Road To London 2012' programme, the NSC are betting on the core sports of badminton, cycling (track), diving, shooting, archery and hockey to bring home Malaysia's first ever gold medal from the Olympics at the London Games.

-- BERNAMA

Eei Hui/Pei Tty To Call It Quits If They Fail To Qualify For Olympics

2011-12-29T11:33:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- National women's doubles pair Chin Ee Hui/Wong Pei Tty may call it quits if they fail to qualify for the London Olympics next year.

The former world's number one women's pair, now ranked 20th following a knee injury suffered by Pei Tty, however, will discuss their future with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

"Our age is catching up on us. If the BAM still needs our services, maybe we can play for one or two more years. Otherwise, we hope we will be appointed coaches," Ee Hui said here.

Only 16 pairs will make it to the London Olympics from July 27 to Aug 12.

Pei Tty, 30, and Eei Hui, 29, were ranked world's number one pair in May 2009 after winning the Indonesian Open win that year.

They had just returned from the India Open where they were ousted in the semi-finals last week.

In the last two Olympics, they fared badly as they were eliminated in early rounds in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008.

Eei Hui and Pei Tty will start their 2012 campaign with the Korea Open Super Series from Jan 3 to 8 before taking part in the Malaysia Open Super Series at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil from Jan 10 to 15.

-- BERNAMA

Raihan, Afifi, Aricco Continue Search For Ticket To London Olympics

2011-12-29T11:32:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- National weightlifters who failed to make an impact at the World Weightlifting Championships in France last month, will continue their search for a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics.

Malaysia Weightlifting Federation (MWF) honorary secretary Adzhar Derani said national weightlifters would continue their search for a ticket to London at the Asia Weightlifting Championships in South Korea in April.

He said Raihan Yusuf (women), Mohammad Afifi Jamaluddin and Aricco Jumitih (men) who competed in France last month faced an uphill task against world class weightlifters from Russia and Ukraine.

"We believe they will have a better chance in South Korea although weightlifters from China and the Middle East countries will be the favourites," he told Bernama when contacted today.

Raihan competes in the women's 58kg category while Mohammad Afifi and Aricco are down to compete in the men's 69kg category.

Adzhar said Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim, 30, would not be among those to South Korea due to lack of preparations.

Amirul had competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics but did not win any medals although he managed to break the national record with a lift of 265kg.

-- BERNAMA

Masziyaton Seeks Sponsors To Qualify For Olympics

2011-12-29T11:31:00.005+08:00

ALOR SETAR, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- National mountain biker Masziyaton Mohd Radzi will probably have to forget about competing at the Olympic Games 2012 after failing to get sponsorship to participate in three more qualifying tournaments in Europe.

Masziyaton, 23, said it was vital for her to compete in the three tournaments to earn the 200 points required to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London.

"So far I've earned 135 points and I need to participate in three more overseas tournaments to earn another 65 points and qualify for the Olympic Games," she told reporters here Tuesday.

She said she needed sponsorship of RM76,000 to enable her to take part in cycling tournaments in Italy, the United Kingdom and Switzerland which were scheduled to begin in April next year.

Masziyaton, who clinched a silver medal in the mountain bike cross country event at the recently concluded Indonesian SEA Games, said she was determined to win a medal for Malaysia in the same event at the London Olympics next year.

Last year, she emerged as the winner in the cross country event of the Women's Elite Category at the inaugural Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge (LIMBC).

Meanwhile, Kedah cycling sports coordinator Nor Alfizar Othman, who is also Masziyaton's coach, said Masziyaton's participation in the three tournaments in Europe was vital if she is to qualify for the London Olympics.

Nevertheless, he said early preparations were also being carried out to help Masziyaton and another national cyclist, Mohd Fattah Amri Zaid, to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, in case they did not make it to the London Olympics.

Earlier, Masziyaton and Mohd Fattah attended the presentation ceremony of a sponsorship cheque of RM50,000 from Bina Darul Aman Berhad (BDB) to the Kedah Cycling Association.

The sponsorship was to enable the association to purchase new equipment to face the Malaysia Games (Sukma) and other tournaments.

The cheque was presented by BDB director Datuk Paduka Mohd Saad Endut to Kedah Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Hamdan Mohamed Khalib.

At a press conference later, Hamdan said the state government was hoping more government-linked companies would emulate BDB in sponsoring sport associations in the state in a bid to develop young talents.

"I hope the Kedah Sports Council will hold meetings with the state government's subsidiaries to enable them to choose and focus on one sport to be developed," he said.

So far, he said, the Kedah State Development Corporation had been the largest contributors in sports development in Kedah, with an annual sponsorship of RM3 million to the state's football team.

-- BERNAMA

Wembley Arena Neutral Ground For Shuttlers, Says Sieh Kok Chi

2011-12-29T11:31:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- Wembley Arena, the badminton venue for the 2012 London Olympics, will not be a lucky hunting ground for any shuttler to bag the men's singles gold, said Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) honorary-secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi.

Sieh said as most of the badminton tournaments in the United Kingdom were usually hosted in Birmingham, Wembley Arena with a sitting capacity for 12,500 peoples might be a neutral battleground for world number one men's singles Datuk Lee Chong Wei and his arch-nemesis Lin Dan of China.

"Yes, Lin Dan beat Chong Wei in the 2011 World Championships that was held at the Wembley Arena, in August.

"But Lin Dan needed three sets to beat the Malaysian and I hope Chong Wei can reverse the result if both of them meet in the Olympics men's singles final, next year," he told Bernama, recently.

Lin Dan tamed Chong Wei 20-22, 21-14, 23-21 during the tournament held at the Wembley Arena.

The Wembley Arena built in 1934 and renovated in 2006 is famous for international musical concerts but will be turned to be the venue for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics for the 2012 London Olympics.

The summer Olympics will be held around the city of London from July 27 to Aug 12, next year.

Sieh said on paper, Lin Dan had th eadvantage after winning the 2011 World Championship at the Olympic venue but as favourite, the pressure might turn againts him.

He cited the story of Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia who won the men's singles crown although the favourite during the 2004 Athens Olympics was Peter Gade from Denmark.

The Indonesian beat the Dane at the quarterfinals defeating Shon Seung-mo from South Korea 15-8, 15-7 to win the men's singles gold.

"So, I think, no one can claim that Wembley Arena will be his lucky hunting ground.

It all depends on the shuttlers strategy, physical and mental strength to win the elusive Olympic gold," he said.

Malaysia are banking on Chong Wei to win Malaysia's first ever gold medal in the Olympics.

-- BERNAMA

Shabery Wants Misbun And BAM To Reconcile For The Sake Of Badminton

2011-12-29T11:30:00.001+08:00

KEMAMAN, Dec 26 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek wants the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and Datuk Misbun Sidek to find a formula so that their reconciliation can benefit Datuk Lee Chong Wei and the country's badminton as a whole.

Ahmad Shabery said both (BAM and Misbun) must set aside their pride and emphasize on the importance of the country's badminton.

"This is not about anyone's personal pride. Misbun may feel apprehensive about coming back and BAM may feel that such a move would be swallowing their pride but what is important is the country's badminton," he told Bernama when commenting on Chong Wei's wish to seek advise from Misbun.

Chong Wei had indicated last Wednesday that he wouldn't mind receiving assistance from Misbun, who quit BAM last Dec 31, if it could bolster his Olympic dreams.

However, a local daily reported that Misbun seemed non-committal to such a move, adding that the former coach had said that BAM had enough experts to determine Chong Wei's success towards winning an Olympic gold medal.

The recent performances of Chong Wei, the world number one, had raised concern, especially during the Hong Kong Open, China Open and the Super Series Masters Final where he failed to make the grade.

Ahmad Shabery said the matter must be given serious consideration.

"The issue now is not about who is right or who is wrong or whose pride it is going to affect. For the sake of the country, there must be room for talks to find a formula that can benefit.

"Our main objective is to see Chong Wei a gold medal in the Olympics," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Gandingan Koo-Tan tak cukup bisa

2011-12-21T10:41:00.003+08:00

Prestasi Koo Kien Keat (kiri)-Tan Boon Heong semakin membimbangkan ekoran tewas dalam semua tiga perlawanan kumpulan Kejohanan Badminton Siri Super Masters Akhir di Liuzhou, China minggu lalu.

KUALA LUMPUR - Kegagalan Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong menamatkan perlawanan dengan kemenangan walaupun sudah mendahului lawan, dikenalpasti sebagai masalah membelenggu beregu utama negara itu.

Demikian penjelasan ketua jurulatih beregu lelaki negara berhubung persembahan hambar pasangan itu yang tewas dalam kesemua tiga perlawanan kumpulan Kejohanan Badminton Siri Super Masters Akhir di Liuzhou, China minggu lalu.

“Mereka mampu bermain dengan baik dan memimpin perlawanan namun kemaraan tersekat pada situasi getir dan tidak cukup tajam untuk melengkapkan kemenangan,” katanya, merujuk kepada aksi pembukaan Kien Keat-Boon Heong menentang beregu handalan Korea Selatan, Jung Jae-Sung-Lee Young-Dae.

Pada set penentuan, Kien Keat-Boon Heong mendahului perlawanan sehinggalah kedudukan terikat 15-15 sebelum membiarkan lawan mengutip tiga mata berturut-turut dan seterusnya memenanginya.

Begitu juga sewaktu pertemuan dengan beregu Indonesia, Mohammad Ahsan-Bona Septano, yang mana mereka yang menang set pertama dan berada di ambang kemenangan set berikutnya pada kedudukan 19-16, namun akhirnya tewas 19-21.

Berikutan itu, Kim Her memberitahu, Pang Cheh Chang yang bertanggungjawab melatih Kien Keat-Boon Heong akan merangka pelan baru untuk mengatasi masalah tersebut.

“Pang (Cheh Chang), dibantu Yoo (Yong-Sung) akan duduk berbincang dengan Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) bagi mencari punca serta penyelesaiannya.

“Mungkin kerana Koo-Tan terlalu letih pada penghujung permainan atau pun silap strategi? Kita akan cuba mencari jalan membantu dua pemain ini,” tambahnya.

Kim Her bagaimanapun sedar masa kurang mengizinkan kerana tugasan Kien Keat-Boon Heong seterusnya adalah Terbuka Korea pada 3-8 Januari depan, justeru Cheh Chang tidak harus mengambil masa terlalu lama.
Walaupun berasa teragak-agak apabila diajukan soalan sama ada Kien Keat-Boon Heong masih boleh dianggap prospek emas, Kim Her berkata: “Saya tetap percayakan Pang, saya yakin dia mampu membimbing Koo-Tan untuk bangkit selepas ini.”

UTUSAN MALAYSIA

Layak ke kejohanan Dunia

2011-12-21T10:41:00.001+08:00

AKSI Leong Mun Yee Leong (bawah) dan Pandelela Rinong pada Kejohanan Dunia di Shanghai Julai lalu. - AFP

KUALA LUMPUR -Berkedudukan ranking ketiga dunia, Pandelela Rinong dan Leong Mun Yee akan sekali lagi meraih hak untuk beraksi pada pertandingan berprestij Siri Terjun Dunia Persekutuan Akuatik Antarabangsa (FINA) tahun depan.

Siri Terjun Dunia yang mula dianjurkan FINA sejak 2007 merupakan pertandingan jemputan yang dikhaskan hanya untuk 10 penerjun terbaik dunia dalam setiap disiplin.

Ini sekali gus melayakkan Pandelela dan Mun Yee yang menghuni ranking ketiga acara 10m platform seirama, untuk berentap dengan sekumpulan penerjun elit dunia. Ia baik untuk mengukur sejauh mana peluang mereka meraih pingat pada Olimpik nanti.

Pandelela juga dijangka menerima jemputan untuk beraksi dalam acara 10m platform individu kerana pemenang pingat emas Sukan Komanwel berada pada ranking ketiga dunia, di belakang dua jaguh sensasi China, Hu Yadan dan Chen Ruolin.

Sema seperti tahun ini, Siri Terjun Dunia 2012 turut menampilkan empat pusingan bermula di Dubai pada 16-17 Mac, diikuti Beijing (Mac 23-24), Moscow (13-14 April) dan Tijuana, Mexico (20-21 April).
Gandingan Pandelela-Mun Yee sememangnya kian menjadi sejak mereka berdua melakar kejutan memungut gangsa di Kejohanan Dunia Rome pada 2009.

Kejayaan Pandelela-Mun Yee meraih naib juara pada pusingan pertama Siri Terjun Dunia di Beijing, Februari lalu adalah bukti terbaik mereka sebenarnya setanding dengan lain-lain pencabar kecuali China yang jelas berada di kelas tersendiri.

Kejayaan paling manis adalah apabila mereka mencipta sejarah menjuarai Grand Prix Terbuka Jerman di Rostock pada Mei.

Biarpun masih belum lagi mengesahkan tiket Olimpik selepas sekadar menamatkan saingan di tempat kelima (tiga pasangan terbaik layak) pada Kejohanan Dunia Shanghai pada Julai, pasangan harapan negara diramal tidak menghadapi masalah untuk layak menerusi Piala Dunia di London Februari depan.

UTUSAN MALAYSIA

Faizal optimis hoki ke Olimpik

2011-12-20T11:18:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR - Penyerang utama skuad hoki negara, Faizal Shaari optimis dengan peluang Malaysia melayakkan diri ke Sukan Olimpik London tahun depan menerusi saingan kelayakkan di Dublin, Ireland, 10-18 Mac depan.

Malaysia diundi sekumpulan dengan tuan rumah, Korea Selatan, Rusia, Chile dan Ukraine.
Status gergasi Asia yang dimiliki Korea Selatan serta kelebihan Ireland selaku tuan rumah tidak menggusarkan Faizal.

"Rekod pertemuan terbaru dengan Korea Selatan membuktikan kami mampu menyaingi mereka. Kami mengikat mereka seri pada Sukan Asia dan menang dengan mereka 3-1 pada kejohanan Piala Sultan Azlan Shah.

"Ireland pula, sebelum ini kami berentap dengan mereka dalam lima perlawanan ujian yang mana kami menang dua kali dan seri sekali.

"Korea Selatan dan Ireland adalah pencabar utama kami di Dublin nanti, namun saya tetap yakin kerana sudah masak corak permainan mereka, jadi kita ada ramuan untuk menang," katanya.

Menurut Faizal, apa yang lebih penting adalah dia dan rakan sepasukan mengelak dari lalai pada penghujung perlawanan, seperti mana yang berlaku ketika perlawanan dengan India pada suku akhir Cabaran Juara baru-baru ini.

Biar pun selesa mendahului 4-2 pada satu ketika, India berjaya menyamakan kedudukan pada lima minit terakhir sebelum melengkapkan kemenangan 5-4 pada masa tambahan.

UTUSAN MALAYSIA

Cost of too many battles

2011-12-19T10:39:00.001+08:00

AS far as former international Datuk James Selvaraj is concerned, Lee Chong Wei was physically drained in the last two months from playing too many tournaments. This factor was exploited by his China rivals Lin Dan and Chen Long.

Chong Wei has had a stellar year until the World Championships in London in August where Lin Dan narrowly beat him. After that, physical and mental exhaustion took its toll on the World No 1 and he started cracking after that.

Since his World Championships triumph, Lin Dan had beaten Chong Wei twice while Chen Long was the surprise package with the 22-year-old World No 3 beating Chong Wei three times in their last four meetings beginning with the Japan Open in September.

Selvaraj, who is also the BAM high performance director, said the fact that Chong Wei's hectic schedule of playing 19 tournaments, has taken its toll on him.

Chen Long subdued the Malaysian in the semi-finals of the World Super Series Finals in Liuzhou in three games while Lin Dan captured the title yesterday with a one-sided victory over Chen Long.

"Chong Wei was a different player at the beginning of the year, very fit and deceptive but he has played one too many and gone into overdrive. He is 29 and was totally drained out over the last two months because of the hectic schedule," said Selvaraj.

"He has to focus only on the main tournaments next year and spend more time on preparations in the seven months leading up to the London Olympics. He must cut down on tournaments and I have already proposed this to the coaching and training committee.

"Chong Wei has learnt a lot from in the last few tournaments and he must be fully watchful of not just Lin Dan. Chen Long has improved so much that he is on par and sometimes even better than Chong Wei.

"Both Lin Dan and Chen Long know how to counter Chong Wei and they seem to be well prepared in waiting for his returns and could dictate terms. Chen Long is powerful, young and uses his height to maximum effect.

"China are fortunate to have several players who are on par and have different styles to cater to the sparring of Lin Dan and Chen Long.

"We don't have that luxury but Chong Wei can gain through higher intensity and an improvement in his fitness level. For example, coaches can use three against one sessions to keep the pressure on Chong Wei where he gets quality sparring.

"Video analysis is very important where Chong Wei can go through his current matches with the two China shuttlers and come up with new tactics to outwit them."

Former national player Foo Kok Keong urged Chong Wei to bounce back and work towards his goal, which is to win the Olympic gold.

"Chong Wei has stated that the Olympics is his priority and he shouldn't be disheartened by his recent defeats. He must not lose heart but keep fighting and continue his hardwork. Olympic glory is what he wants and he must keep battling," said Kok Keong.

But time seems to be running out for men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong who suffered another blow after losing all three matches in the World Super Series Finals.

Cheah Soon Kit, who won silver in the Olympics with Yap Kim Hock in 1996, said the duo must overcome their main weakness, which is fitness, if they wish to bounce back.

Fitness has been one of Soon Kit's strong points as the shuttler managed to sustain a long career without major injuries and was the first Malaysian shuttler to play in three Olympics.

"Kien Keat and Boon Heong must overcome the most basic weakness which is their fitness. If they can improve on this aspect, I think they can challenge the top pairs again," said Soon Kit.

"The intensity and speed of the men's doubles these days have gone up several notches and a higher level of fitness is needed to compete on the world stage.

"They have also been down for long and this is where the coaches can help. Sometimes, the players lose their way even when they are trying very hard and the coaches can contribute by encouraging the players and continuously motivating them."

Read more: NST

BAM bimbang prestasi pemain No.1 negara

2011-12-19T10:38:00.001+08:00

GAYA permainan jaguh badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei bukan lagi menjadi ancaman kepada pemain China.

Dalam beberapa kejohanan kebelakangan ini, pemain perseorangan No. 1 dunia itu sering 'diperbudakkan' oleh musuh tradisinya dari negara Tembok Besar itu.

Bukan setakat Lin Dan yang berjaya meleburkan aksi cemerlang Chong Wei, malah pemain muda China pun nampaknya mampu menggulingkan reputasi pemain kelahiran Pulau Pinang itu.

Pemain China dikatakan sudah bijak membaca gaya permainan Chong Wei dan kelemahan yang ada pada pemain utama negara itu dipergunakan oleh pemain lawan untuk menewaskannya.

Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) sudah menyedari hakikat tersebut dan tanpa berlengah lagi, badan induk sukan badminton negara mengambil langkah drastik untuk memulihkan 'semangat' Chong Wei.

Sebagai langkah awal, BAM akan bekerjasama dengan Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) untuk merangka satu program khas buat Chong Wei dan pemain lainnya yang lebih mengutamakan kepada aspek kekuatan mental dan teknikal.

Presiden BAM, Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd. Salleh (gambar) berkata, ia merupakan satu langkah baharu bagi membantu Chong Wei mengubah strategi permainan agar ia sukar dibaca oleh pihak lawan.

"Kali ini kami dan ISN akan membantu Chong Wei dari segi teknikal iaitu cuba mempertingkatkan gaya permainan Chong Wei agar dia mampu memberi saingan kepada pencabar-pencabar utamanya.

"ISN mempunyai kelengkapan yang baik dari segi saintifik untuk melihat permainan Chong Wei sekali gus menganalisis gaya permainannya," katanya pada sidang media selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat exco BAM di Bukit Kiara, semalam.

Tambah Nadzmi lagi, dengan adanya bantuan ISN dalam program latihan Chong Wei, kami yakin beliau mampu melakar kejayaan di Sukan Olimpik nanti.

Setiausaha Kehormat BAM, Ng Chin Chai pula berkata, kami telah berbincang dengan pihak ISN sebelum ini dan telah merancang untuk melakukan satu program latihan kepada Chong Wei.

"Ia merupakan satu latihan intensif yang lebih mengutamakan aspek teknikal tetapi kami juga mahu meningkatkan tahap fizikalnya," katanya.

Semalam, Chong Wei dihampakan pemain muda China, Chen Long pada peringkat separuh akhir Kejohanan Badminton Siri Super Dunia Akhir di Luizhou, China.

Chong Wei tewas dalam permainan tiga set 16-21, 21-16, 18-21.

Menurut Chin Chai, cara permainan Chong Wei seperti sudah dibaca oleh pihak lawan terutamanya dari China kerana kita boleh lihat Lin Dan dan Cheng Long menggunakan gaya agak sama ketika menewaskan pemain No. 1 negara ini.

Chin Chai berkata, setiap kali ketika perlawanan membabitkan Chong Wei, hampir enam kamera telah digunakan untuk merakam pergerakan Chong Wei untuk melihat strategi permainannya.

"Kita sudah tahu puncanya dan kita sedang berusaha untuk mencari penyelesaiannya. Saya berharap dengan bantuan ISN kali ini, kita mampu menentang mereka semula.

"Sebenarnya, Chong Wei sudah berada di tahap yang sangat tinggi tetapi kita perlu berusaha sedikit sahaja lagi untuk membantunya," jelasnya.

Ketika ditanya mengenai persediaan BAM untuk menghadapi Piala Thomas dan Piala Uber yang akan berlangsung pada Februari 2012 di Macau, Presiden BAM menjelaskan bahawa pemain-pemain yang akan terpilih akan disenaraikan pada akhir Januari.

"Kami akan menghantar pasukan yang terbaik berdasarkan prestasi mereka sehingga Januari tahun depan, kita tiada masa lagi untuk melakukan percubaan atau pendedahan kepada mereka," kata Nadzmi.
Beliau turut mengumumkan bahawa BAM telah berjaya memenangi bidaan untuk menganjurkan Piala Sudirman 2013.

KOSMO

Chong Wei now has two China players to worry about in battle for supremacy

2011-12-19T10:37:00.004+08:00

LIUZHOU: Nevermind that Lee Chong Wei did not become a world champion this year. Nevermind that he failed to bring the curtain down this season with his fourth Super Series Masters Finals title here.
Throughout the year, come what may, the 29-year-old Chong Wei has toiled to maintain his World No. 1 ranking and done the nation proud.

He single-handedly carried the flag, reaching 11 consecutive finals, winning seven titles and reaching three semi-finals - a feat that deserves thunderous applause, if not a standing ovation.

Deadly comrades: China’s Lin Dan (right) posing with his compatriot Chen Long after winning the Super Series Masters Finals men’s singles title in Liuzhou yesterday. – AFP

He doggedly played his heart out to keep the excitement of his keen rivalry with China’s Lin Dan, and now a vibrant Chen Long, alive.

Sports thrive on such epic contests and the badminton world can expect more fiery clashes in the New Year as the battle for supremacy has now become a three-cornered battle among Chong Wei, Lin Dan and Chen Long ahead of the London Olympics.

It is true that Chong Wei’s form and confidence dropped somewhat after the heart-wrenching loss to Lin Dan in the World Championships final at Wembley in August.

Who would not be devastated after coming so close to being crowned the nation’s first badminton world champion.
In the last four months, Chong Wei has been trying hard to regain his grip but the defeats by Chen Long and the continued battering from Lin Dan have not made it easy.

The 22-year-old Chen Long, a surprise first round casualty to Kevin Cordon of Guatemala at the world meet, has stormed back with his guns blazing to show that he is ready to rule the world.
The good news is that Chong Wei knows exactly what needs to be done to counter Lin Dan and Chen Long ahead of the Olympics.

He is ready to minimise his mistakes and add more precision to his game; be selective in his tournaments; pump up more power and speed; continue to give 100% in training and stay injury free. But knowing one’s faults is easy, the hard part is rectifying them, as Chong We is all too aware.

”I didn’t have strong finishes towards the end of the season but that’s all right.
“Sometimes, defeats like these make one even stronger,” said Chong Wei
“I will play in several tournaments in the early part of the new year and spend more time training ahead of the Olympics,” said Chong Wei, who will compete in the South Korea Open (Jan 3-8) and Malaysia Open (Jan 11-15) next month.

It is clear that Chong Wei is not pressing the panic button just yet but if there is one party that should be alarmed it is the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

Where are BAM’s Chen Longs? Where are the successors to Chong Wei, who is 29 after all?
BAM are still hiding behind the success of Chong Wei, who has carried the weight almost single-handedly for several years. The grim truth is none of the back-up players are close to Chong Wei’s standard.

It is disturbing as the Thomas Cup qualifying tournament is just two months away. Who will play alongside Chong Wei? Maybe World No. 34 Mohd Hafiz Hashim and No. 42 Wong Choong Hann, who are surprisingly still ranked higher than all the BAM back-up players despite leaving the national team some time ago.

There is one player - professional club KLRC’s Zulfadli Zulfadli - who did the country proud by winning the Asian and world junior titles this year. For now, he seems to be the only bright spark but he has yet to make the transition to senior ranks.

To be fair, BAM have promised to look into the matter by giving more to their grassroots programme.
They have also, finally, decided to try something new by providing exposure to the youngsters by sending them out for more tournaments next year. Hopefully, it will see the birth of a new breed of resilient players like Chong Wei.

THE STAR

Chu Sian To Use Three International Competitions To Prepare For London Olympics

2011-12-19T10:37:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- Olympics bound national elite archer Cheng Chu Sian hopes to use three international competitions to prepare for the 2012 London Olympics.

Chu Sian, crowned Olympian of the Year by the Olympic Council of Malaysia yesterday said the three competitions identified were the first Asian Grand Prix Championships in Bangkok, Thailand from Feb 15-19, Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai, China from April 10-15 and Archery World Cup Stage 3 in Ogden, United States from June 17-23.

"I hope to do my best in all three competitions which will feature some of the best archers in the world," the 25-year-old archer told Bernama here Saturday.

"National coach Lee Jae Hyung has asked me to maintain my performance although he has not set any specific target that will add on to the pressure since many world class archers will be competing," he said.

Chu Sian, winner of two gold medals in the recently concluded SEA Games held in Jakarta and Palembang, said he was undergoing centralised training at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil to prepare for the three major championships.

The archer who had also featured in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, qualified for the 2012 London Olympics on merit, together with Haziq Kamaruddin and Khairul Anuar Mohamad after beating a trio from Poland in the Recurve team event of the World Archery Championships in Torino, Italy back in July.

He added that women archers are also expected to compete in the three championships since no woman archer has qualified for the London Olympics.

--BERNAMA

Suryani sasar pingat Olimpik

2011-12-19T10:36:00.001+08:00

PENEMBAK negara, Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi kini mengalihkan tumpuan untuk menghadiahkan kilauan pingat di Sukan Olimpik London 2012, sekiranya berjaya menempah tiket ke temasya berprestij itu.
Selepas melakar kejayaan bergelar Olimpian Wanita Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Jumaat lalu, atlet berusia 29 tahun itu semakin bersemangat untuk melakukan yang terbaik untuk negara.

“Apapun terlebih dulu saya perlu berjaya di medan kelayakan ke London sebelum meletakkan sebarang sasaran.
“Tumpuan saya selepas ini, pastinya untuk tampil cemerlang di Kejohanan Menembak Asia di Doha, bulan depan yang menjadi medan terakhir melayakkan diri ke Olimpik. Kalau ada rezeki pasti takkan ke mana.

“Sekiranya berjaya melayakkan diri, sudah tentu saya ingin melakar kejayaan di London pula. Siapa yang enggan membawa pulang pingat emas? Saya akan berusaha melakukan yang terbaik,” katanya.

Kejayaan anggota Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) itu membidik dua emas dalam acara 50m rifle tiga posisi dan 10m air rifle pada temasya Sukan Sea Indonesia, bulan lalu, turut meyakinkan Setiausaha Kehormat MOM, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi terhadap kemampuannya ke Olimpik.

“Saya optimis Nur Suryani ada peluang ke Olimpik. Meskipun arena sukan menembak sukar untuk diramalkan tapi keyakinan saya itu bersandarkan prestasinya yang amat konsisten,” kata Kok Chi.

Sementara itu, Nur Suryani mengakui kejayaannya banyak didorong suaminya, Marhazli Mhotar.

“Kegembiraan mendirikan rumah tangga sejak Mac lalu banyak menyokong kejayaan ini. “Suami sentiasa memberi sokongan moral serta psikologi bagi membolehkan saya kekal fokus terutama ketika beraksi di lapangan menembak. “Daripada kehidupan seharian dan sokongannya (suami), saya adaptasikannya kepada sukan itu sendiri dan itulah membuatkan saya boleh memberi tumpuan lebih ketika beraksi.

“Syukur kerana rezeki saya tahun ini bertambah baik dan ia membuktikan hasil usaha saya sebelum ini membuahkan hasil,” katanya yang turut menerima Skim Hadiah Kemenangan Sukan (Shakam) sebanyak RM15,000, minggu lalu.

Oleh Wan Noriza Meor Idris
wannoriza@nstp.com.my

Pandelela is already feeling the pressure ahead of the Olympics

2011-12-16T17:01:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: A tough training regime and a short tomboy haircut – these are some of the things Pandelela Rinong (pic) has been put through by diving coach Yang Zhuliang in a bid to help her win Malaysia’s first-ever gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

The 18-year-old Kuching-born Pandelela, who has qualified for the women’s 10m platform event for the London Games, has also sacrificed her pre-university studies since January to focus on the world’s biggest multi-sports Games.

Pandelela, who will be featuring in her second Olympics, is already feeling the pressure although the Games are seven months away.
“Coach Yang is pushing me hard in training daily as he believes I have the potential to not only win a medal but the gold,” said Pandelela.

“I’ve definitely improved on my diving technique but the coach wants me to further improve it to achieve the elusive gold.

“This has put me under a lot of pressure as I will be up against the world best divers at the Olympics.
“It’s tough to win an Olympic medal, let alone the gold,” added Pandelela, who failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Pandelela said that she also had to cut her hair short because her coach felt that her long hair distracted her from executing the somersaults perfectly.

“The coach says that all the Chinese women divers had short hair. Although I have cut mine short, he is still unhappy and wants me to trim it further,” said Pandelela, who was the first Malaysian woman diver to win the gold medal in the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Pandelela will get to train in Dali, China, for two weeks next month in preparation for the World Championships in London in February.

“I will use the world meet to qualify for two more events in the Olympics – the 3m springboard and 10m platform synchnorised,” said Pandelela, who will also feature in the four legs of the FINA World Series next year in preparation for the London Olympics.

Meanwhile, Carlsberg Malaysia announced yesterday its annual sponsorship of RM30,000 for the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM)-Carlsberg athletes’ retirement scheme for this year.

The scheme, which currently has RM3.07mil, is meant for the 88 Malaysian athletes who have won medals at the past Asian, Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

THE STAR

Another Chong Wei and Lin Dan final will be fitting climax to season

2011-12-14T11:29:00.000+08:00

LIUZHOU: Legend has it that eight dragons emerged from the sprawling Liu Jiang (Liu River) which flows through this beautiful city. Today, eight dragons from the badminton world will emerge to do battle for the prestigious Super Series Masters Finals men’s singles title.

They are world number one Lee Chong Wei; China’s Lin Dan and Chen Long; Indonesia Taufik Hidayat and Simon Santoso; Denmark’s Peter-Gade Christensen; and Japan’s Kenichi Tago and Sho Sasaki.
But the focus will be on the two most gifted and celebrated dragons of the era – Chong Wei and four-time world champion Lin Dan – as a final between them will be a fitting climax to the 12-leg Super Series season.
A meeting between archrivals Chong Wei and Lin Dan in the final is very much a possibility but young Chen Long could spoil the party.

In the draw released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) yesterday, top seed Chong Wei is in Group A with the evergreen Christensen, Simon and Sasaki. In Group B with Lin Dan are Chen Long, Taufik and Kenichi. The top two will play in the crossover semi-finals.

Gracious in defeat: Lee Chong Wei shaking hands with Lin Dan after losing to the China No. 1 in the World Championships final in October.

National coach Tey Seu Bock agreed a final showdown between Chong Wei and Lin Dan was what most fans wanted.

“And for Chong Wei to win the match,” he said with a broad smile.
“But in all honestly, it is going to be hard for Chong Wei. Both Lin Dan and Chen Long will have the crowd’s backing.

“The group matches won’t be easy either. Chong Wei has three in his group who can last the pace.
“Peter has shown that age is not a factor while both Simon and Sasaki are vibrant players full of energy.”
Seu Bock feels that the Masters Finals will also serve as a prelude to what could transpire at next year’s Olympic Games in London.

“I see three names – Chong Wei, Lin Dan and Chen Long – leap before my eyes when I think of the Olympic Games. The format will be similiar as the players have to go through the group stages first.”
At the Olympics, the qualifiers will be divided into 16 groups with only the group winners advancing to the elimination round.

On Chong Wei’s condition, Seu Bock said: “It has been a long and tiring but successful year for him. Let’s hope he has enough in the tank to end it well.”

Chong Wei was awarded the BWF Male Player of the Year award during a welcome dinner for the players on Monday. Despite losing to Lin Dan in the world championship, Chong Wei stood tall in winning five titles and reaching 11 consecutive finals.

The top female award went to China’s reigning world champions Wang Xiaoli-Yu Yuyang for reaching 12 consecutive finals and winning seven Super Series titles, which included all five Premier meets.

In the men’s doubles, Malaysia’s hopes rest on Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong who are out to redeem themselves with a good showing to make up for a disappointing year.

THE STAR

Pandelela and Mun Yee get to compete again at Diving World Series

2011-12-14T11:27:00.001+08:00

PETALING JAYA: Pandelela Rinong and Leong Mun Yee will keep the Malaysian flag flying again in the FINA Diving World Series next year.

The duo are the only Malaysians to make the top 10 of the world rankings for 2011 and that guarantees them berths in the prestigious series.

The 2012 calendar for the series, which is for the top ranked 10 divers in the respective disciplines, features competitions in Dubai (March 16-17), Beijing (March 23-24), Moscow (April 13-14) and Tijuana, Mexico, (April 20-21).

Pandelela is ranked third behind two Chinese divers – Hu Yadan and the world and Olympic champion Chen Ruolin – in the women’s 10m platform individual event.

Fellow Sarawakian Traisy Vivien, who won her first SEA Games gold medal in Indonesia last month, is ranked 16th.

The 17-year-old Pandelela, who made history as Malaysia’s first Commonwealth Games diving gold medallist in New Delhi last year, rode on several breakthrough achievements to finish ahead of 2009 world champion Paola Espinosa in the world rankings for the season.

Pandelela started with silver medals in the 10m platform individual and synchro with Mun Yee at the World Series leg in Beijing in February.

Pandelela then scored a historic first for Malaysia by partnering Mun Yee to the synchro gold at the German Open in May where she also took silver in the 10m platform individual.

Pandelela was also the silver medallist at the World University Games in Shenzhen in August and has already qualified for the London Olympics after finishing fifth in the World Championships in Shanghai this year.
The performances of Pandelela and Mun Yee also saw Malaysia ranked third behind China and Australia in the women’s 10m platform synchro ahead of Canada.

Germany, Ukraine, Britain, Mexico, Russia and United States make up the top 10 rankings for women’s 10m platform synchro.

THE STAR

ARCHERY / YEAR IN REVIEW: Sport has best year ever

2011-12-14T11:00:00.000+08:00

Quartet making it to London 2012 on merit is the highlight

(Clockwise from right) Khairul Anuar Mohammad, Haziq Kamaruddin, Cheng Chu Sian, Nur Amirah Mohamed, Shahira Abdul Halim, Nurul Syafiqah Hashim and Fairuz SM Rahim.

WITHOUT doubt, this has been one of the most successful years Malaysian archery has experienced in its history.

A record four Malaysian archers qualified for the 2012 London Olympics and several outstanding performances in international tournaments gave rise to hope for a better future for the sport in the country.

   Khairul Anuar Mohammad, Haziq Kamaruddin and Nurul Syafiqah Hashim emerged as the next breed of potential champions and along with the experienced Cheng Chu Sian, they could still be treading unchartered waters next year.

   Khairul, 20, and Haziq, 18, combined with Chu Sian to secure Malaysia three Olympic qualification spots at the World Championships in Germany while Syafiqah became the first Malaysian woman archer since Mon Redee Sut Txi in 2004 to qualify for the Olympics at the Asian qualifying tournament in Iran.

   But it did not stop there as rookie Khairul had a season he will find difficult to forget after also winning the Asian Championships title, reaching the final of a World Cup in Shanghai and taking bronze at the Olympic test event, the London Archery Classic.

   The archers then ended the year on a high as Chu Sian led the recurve men to two gold medals at the Indonesia Sea Games.

   But none of this could have been imagined just 12 months ago when the archers had a poor outing at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games and the Guangzhou Asian Games.

   National recurve coach Lee Jae Hyung made the bold decision to drop several seniors from the elite squad and promote the juniors and what a masterstroke that proved to be.

   The likes of Wan Khalmizam Wan Abd Aziz and Nazrin Aizat Mat Nasir, whose performances were inconsistent at best, and the retirement of S. Anbarasi paved the way for the next generation to shine.

   Khairul, Haziq and Syafiqah have been the main beneficiaries and proved Jea Hyung's decision to go with youth was the right one.

   Khairul is now Malaysia's highest ranked archer at No 7 in the world -- the highest a Malaysian has gone since Chu Sian reached No 9 two years ago.

   Chu Sian has since slipped to 40th while Haziq is not far behind at 45th but a few others lurk behind the trio to put them on their guard.

   Izzuddin Rahim, Fazli Hisham Fauzi and Arif Farhan Ibrahim Putra will be hoping for a chance to stake a claim to one of three Olympic spots, ensuring a lively contest before the Olympics in July.

   Similarly, Syafiqah is not assured of a place in London as Shahira Abdul Halim, the highest ranked Malaysian woman recurve archer at No 84 in the world, Adibah Tajuddin and Nur Amirah Mohamed are all in contention.

   In the lead-up to London, the archers will be sent to several major tournaments including the Asian Archery Grand Prix in Bangkok and Kazahkstan and World Cup events in Shanghai, Antalya and Ogden, United States.

   With a team world ranking of ninth, Malaysia stand their best chance of an Olympic medal in the men's recurve event.

   At Beijing 2008, nerves seemed to get the better of the trio of Chu Sian, Marbawi Sulaiman and Khalmizam, an area which will need to be sorted out before London.

   One discipline that has often be neglected but has shown improvement lately is compound archery after Zaki Mahazan finished runner-up at the Asian Championships.

   Zaki also claimed silver at the Sea Games in a reminder to both the National Sports Council and the National Archery Association of Malaysia that there is untapped talent in compound archery.

   Because compound archery is not an Olympic sport and only recently made it on the Commonwealth Games programme, it has largely slipped below the radar but the performances of Zaki and Datin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh should at least bring some much-needed attention to the event.

   On the local front, the National Archery Circuit continues to play a leading role in identifying talent.

   Khairul, Haziq and Syafiqah were all first noticed here and have gone on to make their mark internationally in a major boost for the sport in the country.

Read more: NST

Fatehah not resting on her laurels

2011-12-13T10:21:00.001+08:00

THE London Olympics awaits Fatehah Mustapa, but she's not easing her foot off the pedal by any means, aiming for the best form of her life before hitting the Games on July 27-Aug 12 next year.

According to coach John Beasley's calculations, Fatehah has all but booked her spot in London 2012 as the first ever woman cyclist to represent Malaysia in an Olympics.

Fatehah, 21, completed another superb performance in the Caracol de Pista event in Medellin, Colombia, over the weekend, where she finished third in the 200m sprint and fourth in the scratch race.

That followed her fifth place finish in the keirin in the second round of the UCI World Cup in Cali the previous week. She also finished ninth in the scratch race there to book her spot in the World Championships in that event.

"John says the Olympic spot is already sealed.

"I'm very happy about that and can't wait to get to London. But at the same time, I'm not going to take things for granted," said Fatehah, before she headed to Melbourne from Medellin yesterday.

"My training will have to be upped from now. I want more points to qualify comfortably and with an improved ranking.

"I want to qualify as the top ranked Asian rider.

"I'll also trying to qualify for the 200m sprint after this."

It has been the best month in Fatehah's career thus far, following up her triple gold medal sweep at the Sea Games in Indonesia last month with her feats in Colombia.

Now among the top women's keirin riders, Fatehah will be entering the Olympics with a real shot at bagging a medal, which is something she remains optimistic about.

"To win a medal is going to be very difficult because each country will be strong, come the Olympics," said Fatehah.

"But the keirin is also unpredictable.

"With a bit of luck and if I'm in a good position, I might be in with a chance to win a medal."

By Arnaz M. Khairul

Read more: NST

Malaysian riders bag gold and bronzes in Medellin meet

2011-12-13T10:04:00.001+08:00

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s top track cyclists closed the season on a high as they collected one gold and two bronze medals in the Gran Caracol Da Pista invitational meet in Medellin, Colombia, over the weekend.

The decision to stay back, after the Cali round of the World Cup the previous week, to compete in the Gran Caracol Da Pista proved right as Josiah Ng blazed his way to a surprise gold in the scratch while Azizulhasni Awang and Fatehah Mustapa finished with bronze in the respective men’s and women’s sprint.

Josiah finished ahead of Holland riders Roy Van Den Berg and Albert Hugo to win the 10km scratch race.
Azizul continued with his impressive comeback by taking a well deserved bronze in the men’s sprint won by 2009 world champion Maximilian Levy of Germany.

Azizul had reached the keirin final in Cali but a crash spoiled his hopes of a podium finish and he eventually placed fifth. The two-time World Championship finalist was riding in only his second competition since suffering a career threatening calf injury in Manchester in February.

It was also a most satisfying campaign for top national woman cyclist Fatehah. The 22-year-old, who reached the keirin final at the World Cup in Cali, made it to the podium in the sprint discipline won by Frenchwoman Sandie Clair.

Fatehah also finished fourth in the women’s scratch race and her performances indicate she is on the right track to realise her dream to be the first Malaysian woman to ride at the Olympics in London next year.
Fatehah shone in her second SEA Games appearance with three gold medals in the sprint, team sprint and 500m time trial in Indonesia last month and track team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad was impressed with her progress.

“It was good for her to end the year with a medal in her first outing in Colombia. This was a high quality meet as they only invited the top riders to stay back after the World Cup,” he said.

“Fatehah has really matured and is slowly making her mark in the World Cup series. We hope she can keep up the good work next year.”

THE STAR

Asum lega Daniel kian pulih

2011-12-07T10:52:00.004+08:00

MESKIPUN bahang ke saingan kelayakan terakhir Olimpik 2012 sudah mula dirasai skuad terjun tetapi Kesatuan Renang Amatur Malaysia (Asum) boleh menarik nafas lega apabila renang hanya akan diadakan pada Mei.
Dengan saingan kelayakan skuad terjun diadakan Februari ini, Asum menyifatkan jurang waktu itu sebagai tempoh terbaik buat persediaan anak emas mereka, Daniel Bego (gambar) pulih sepenuhnya.

Tempoh ini disifatkan landasan terbaik bagi Daniel berdepan saingan ke medan lebih penting, Olimpik di London, selepas melayakkan diri dalam tiga acara di Beijing 2008.
“Setakat ini Daniel semakin pulih, tiada masalah susulan dan dia menjalani latihan ringan setiap hari. Saya yakin berbekal latihan serta penjagaan rapi dan fisioterapi, dia (Daniel) mampu melepasi kelayakan ke Olimpik.

“Malah, kami juga masih belum menetapkan sebarang kejohanan untuknya tahun depan. Setakat ini, mungkin semua saingan setakat dalam negeri saja,” kata Setiausaha Kehormat Asum, Edwin Chong.

Daniel, 21, yang juga penyumbang pingat emas terbanyak negara di temasya Sukan Sea Laos dua tahun lalu terpaksa disisihkan saat akhir dari beraksi di Indonesia, bulan lalu kerana dikhuatiri menjejaskan pemulihan bahunya yang baru dibedah.

aguh renang yang meraih lima pingat emas di Laos itu mengalami masalah ‘Hook Acromium’ sejak tiga tahun lalu yang menyebabkan tulang di atas bahunya menyekat kuakan penuh 360 darjah hingga menghalangnya melakukan catatan masa lebih pantas. Dia menjalani dua pembedahan bahu kiri April dan Mei lalu.

“Meskipun keadaannya beransur pulih dan pembedahan di kedua-dua bahu agak memakan masa tapi saya yakin Daniel mampu melepasinya kerana dia adalah atlet yang tabah dan mempunyai semangat juang tinggi,” katanya.

HARIAN METRO

Tahap kecergasan Chong Wei menurun

2011-12-06T12:13:00.002+08:00

CHONG WEI kini menjalani proses pemulihan bagi mengembalikan tahap kecergasannya.

PRESTASI jaguh perseorangan badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei akan kembali berada di puncak menjelang Mac atau April tahun depan.

Jurulatih perseorangan negara, Tey Seu Bock berkata, ketika ini Chong Wei masih lagi dalam proses pemulihan selepas mengharungi banyak kejohanan sepanjang tahun ini.

Jelasnya, dalam masa terdekat ini, agak sukar buat Chong Wei untuk kembali ke tahap terbaiknya kerana pemain berusia 29 tahun itu memerlukan masa bagi menjalani proses pemulihan terutama fizikalnya.
"Saya tidak nafikan, Chong Wei ketika ini memang keletihan selepas apa yang dilalui sepanjang tahun ini.
"Saya tidak mahu memberikan sebarang tekanan kepada Chong Wei. Biarlah dia menjalani proses pemulihan secara berperingkat kerana jika terlalu tertekan, ia boleh mengundang risiko buat dirinya," jelas Seu Bock.
Andai dibuat penilaian berdasarkan kenyataan yang diberikan Seu Bock itu, Chong Wei berkemungkinan gagal dalam misinya untuk mempertahankan kejuaraan pada Kejohanan Badminton Siri Super Akhir di Liu Zhou, China bermula 12 Disember ini.

Malah, peluangnya untuk merangkul kejuaraan ketujuh pada Terbuka Malaysia 2012 Januari tahun depan juga agak tipis.

Ini kerana, prestasinya masih belum kembali berada pada tahap sebenar bagi mengharungi dua kejohanan tersebut.

Bagaimanapun, Seu Bock menjelaskan bahawa apa yang paling penting ketika ini adalah persiapan Chong Wei bagi memburu pingat emas pertama buat kontinjen Malaysia pada temasya Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London.

"Saya tak cakap Siri Super Akhir dan Terbuka Malaysia tidak penting buat Chong Wei. Dia akan beraksi seperti biasa dalam dua kejohanan tersebut tetapi saya lebih memikirkan mengenai persiapan ke Sukan Olimpik nanti.

"Saya tidak mahu mengambil sebarang risiko. Seperti saya katakan, Chong Wei memerlukan masa untuk kembali berada pada tahap terbaiknya.

"Jadi, saya menjangkakan dia akan berada pada tahap prestasi terbaik pada Mac atau April dan mengekalkannya sehingga berlangsungnya Sukan Olimpik.

"Jika kita lihat, prestasi Chong Wei tahun ini mula berada di puncak ketika dia memenangi Seluruh England Mac lalu dan selepas itu aksinya cukup konsisten sehinggalah Terbuka China bulan lalu.
"Sebab itu, jika boleh saya mahu dia melakukan perkara yang sama tahun depan kerana Sukan Olimpik akan bermula pada Julai," kata Seu Bock.

Sebelum ini, faktor keletihan dianggap sebagai punca terhadap kemerosotan prestasi Chong Wei sehingga memaksa pemain No. 1 dunia itu menarik diri daripada beraksi pada Grand Prix (GP) Emas Terbuka Macau minggu lalu.

Ini kerana, Chong Wei terpaksa mengharungi jadual kejohanan yang padat sehingga menyaksikan dia gagal mara ke pentas final apabila tewas pada peringkat separuh akhir Terbuka Hong Kong pada 20 November dan Terbuka China lima hari kemudian.

Paling memeritkan, dia tewas kepada seteru utama, Lin Dan.

Oleh HELMI TALKAH
helmi.talkah@kosmo.com.my

Seu Bock: No cause for alarm

2011-12-06T09:57:00.000+08:00

LEE Chong Wei may not be able to win the World Super Series Finals in Liuzhou, China on Dec 14-18 but national coach Tey Seu Bock is unperturbed by the current dip in form of the World No 1.

   Having reached 10 straight finals in as many months, Chong Wei suffered a double blow in the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Open and China Open to Lin Dan.

   However, Seu Bock said it is virtually impossible for any shuttler, including Lin Dan, to do what Chong Wei had done until October and that the tough schedule will only end after the Super Series Finals.

   Chong Wei is expected to cross swords again with Lin Dan, the third seed, and his new challenger from China, the second-seeded Chen Long, but Seu Bock will not be particularly bothered even if his charge returns without the title.

   "Chong Wei has reached 10 finals in a row while Lin Dan has been withdrawing from competitions and has also lost early in several events. Chen Long only started doing well after the World Championships (in August)," said Seu Bock yesterday.

   "Chong Wei's workload has been heavy and he is exhausted. Even if he loses in the Super Series Finals, it is not the time to panic as our main objective, the London Olympics, is another nine months away.

   "It is better that Chong Wei suffers a few disappointments now rather than go through a lean patch next year when the Olympics draws closer.

   "He should be able to return to top condition again by February.

"We are not putting any pressure on him to win every time he plays.

   "Chong Wei is not at his best while Lin Dan and Chen Long are in peak condition.

"If Chong Wei can still beat them or take them the distance in Liuzhou, it will be good enough."

    Chong Wei will have less than 10 days to prepare for the Super Series Finals while Lin Dan is expected to go for a hat-trick after winning in China and Hong Kong.

   But as far as Seu Bock is concerned, the Olympics remains the main goal, so the minor pitfalls along the way will not distract Chong Wei.

Read more: NST

HOCKEY: Olympic qualification fiasco

2011-12-05T14:54:00.002+08:00

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) is peeved that the sport's governing body, the International Hockey Federation (FIH), has allowed Spain an automatic ticket to the 2012 London Olympics.

This ridiculous scenario emerged after South Africa failed to qualify for the final of the Champions Challenge I when they went down 4-2 to India in Saturday's semi-finals.

South Africa had qualified for the Olympics by virtue of being the African continent champions, but their Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee had set the team a condition of playing in the final of the Champions Challenge I if they want to play in the Olympics.

   Spain had lost their European Qualifier ticket to Belgium and had been slated to play in the Japan Olympic Qualifier in April, but a private deal will now see them play in the Olympics while South Africa will play in the Japan Qualifier.

    "This scenario is simply mind boggling as this private deal was never communicated or circulated to all teams who will be playing in the Olympic Qualifiers in India, Ireland and Japan," said MHF general manager Maninderjit Singh.

    Immediately after the deal was known to Maninderjit, he sent an e-mail to the FIH whose president Leandro Negre is from Spain, asking for justification and clarification.

    Part of the e-mail read: "As you remember that I also wrote an e-mail protesting why Oceania were given two slots with only two teams playing in the Oceania Cup (Fiji pulled out prior to the event).

    "I suggested that the second placed team in the Asian Games (Malaysia) and the second placed team in Oceania play a best of three matches to decide the slot.

    "The answer I received from you (FIH) was that the mechanism has been endorsed between International Olympic Committee and FIH and any changes could not be made or else we may face legal challenges. What about this scenario now?"

     MHF is of the opinion that Egypt, the second placed team in the African qualifier, should be given the ticket instead of Spain.

    Also, Malaysia want to know why the slot was given to Europe, and not Pan-America or Asia.

Maninderjit also suggested in his e-mail that the three Olympic Qualifiers offer four tickets to the Olympics, with three going to the respective champions, and the fourth to the best placed team -- instead of handing it on a platter to Spain.

NST

Fatehah takes a step closer to qualifying for the Olympics

2011-12-05T14:53:00.000+08:00

PETALING JAYA: Fatehah Mustapa took a big step towards becoming the first Malaysian female cyclist to compete at the Olympics after claiming a place in the keirin final at the Track World Cup in Cali on Saturday.
It was also a satisfying campaign for Malaysia on the final day as Azizulhasni Awang continued with his remarkable comeback by finishing an impressive fifth in the men’s sprint.

Despite a tiring campaign at the Indonesia SEA Games last month, where she delivered three gold medals, a tenacious Fatehah battled on to reach the final in her pet event in what was her first World Cup meet for the year.
The 22-year-old failed to earn automatic qualification after finishing second in her first round heat and had to win the repechage to advance.

She survived the nerve-jangling repechage involving five riders and went on to book a place in the final after finishing third in the second round heat behind Lithuania’s Simona Krupeckaite and Russia’s Ekaterina Gnidenko.

Fatehah finished sixth in the final won by Krupeckaite but had the satisfaction of picking up five more points for Olympic qualification in keirin.

Malaysia were ranked 12th in the country rankings in women’s keirin prior to the meet in Cali.
Track team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad said Fatehah, who made the scratch final on Thursday, is on the right track to realising her dream to compete in the London Olympics.

Fatehah, who also reached the World Championships final in Holland early this year, won gold medals in the sprint, team sprint and 500m time trial at the SEA Games.

“It was a world class performance in making the final again and she earned good points towards Olympic qualification,” said Naim.

“Qualification is through nation rankings and the top two Asian countries in the top 16 automatically qualify for the Olympics.

“Fatehah may only need to make another final in either Beijing or London and she is on her way,” he said.
The Beijing leg of the World Cup takes place next month while London will host the fourth and final round of the season at the newly built velodrome that will host the Olympics track cycling competitions.

Azizul, who finished fifth in the men’s keirin on Friday, made significant progress in the sprint as he cleared the top 16 knockout stages for the first time in more than a year.

Azizul posted the 12th fastest time of 10.315 in qualification but Malaysian veteran Josiah Ng failed to follow suit after finishing 20th on 10.404.

Azizul overcame Michael D’Almeida of France to reach the quarter-finals but his charge for a place in the medal rounds ended with defeat to German Enders Rene.

Azizul, however, bounced back to win the fifth to eight placing shoot-out involving three other riders to cap an impressive recovery after sustaining a career threatening calf injury in Manchester in February.

THE STAR

CYCLING: Fatehah in good form

2011-12-05T14:51:00.001+08:00

FATEHAH Mustapa moved a step closer towards becoming the first Malaysian woman cyclist to qualify for the Olympics when she finished sixth in the keirin final in Round Two of the UCI World Cup in Cali, Colombia, early yesterday.

Fatehah Mustapa finished sixth in the keirin at the UCI World Cup in Colombia yesterday.

That result came on the back of Fatehah's ninth place in the women's scratch race on Saturday which booked her spot in the World Championships in that event.

   Fresh from her triple gold medal haul at the Sea Games in Indonesia just a week earlier, Fatehah looks in good form to seal Olympic qualification in the women's keirin in the third round of the World Cup in Beijing next month.

   National team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad said the team, trimmed to just three main riders to focus on Olympic qualification, have had a good start to the UCI World Cup season with Azizul Hasni Awang also showing good form upon his return from injury.

   "Azizul won the classification race to finish fifth in the 200m sprint in Cali. He also finished fifth in the keirin, while Josiah Ng also collected points in that event. So, overall, with Fatehah showing that she too is ready to step up, we are looking good to pass the first hurdle of confirming our Olympic spots," said Naim.

   Having qualified 14th, Azizul beat France's Mickael d'Almeida in the last 16 stage and made it to the quarter-finals of the 200m sprint where he lost to Germany's Rene Enders.

He then beat Philip Njisane of Trinidad and Tobago, Hersony Canelon of Venezuela and Poland's Damien Zielinski in the classification heat to finish fifth.

   "We're pretty confident Azizul will be back to his best soon. But what is more impressive is Fatehah's rise this season. She has really matured and is slowly making her mark in the World Cup series this year.

"We were really expecting her to make a serious attempt for the 2016 Olympics. An Olympic spot would nevertheless be a boost for women's cycling," said Naim.

NST

Fatehah hampiri Olimpik 2012

2011-12-05T09:33:00.002+08:00

FATEHAH Mustapha kini semakin hampir untuk menjadi pelumba basikal wanita pertama negara layak beraksi pada temasya sukan terbesar dunia - Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London yang akan bermula Julai tahun depan.

Berdasarkan prestasi semasa, Fatehah ketika ini berada pada landasan tepat untuk merealisasikan impian tersebut.
Buktinya, dia kini muncul satu-satunya pelumba wanita dari Asia yang berjaya mengumpul mata bagi melayakkannya beraksi pada temasya berprestij dunia itu berbanding pencabar terdekatnya dari Hong Kong, Jepun dan China.

Semalam, pelumba kelahiran Terengganu itu tampil bergaya apabila berjaya menamatkan saingan di tempat keenam dalam acara keirin pada aksi final Kejohanan Lumba Basikal Piala Dunia Klasik Siri 2
di Cali, Columbia.
Kejayaan itu sekali gus membolehkan Fatehah mengutip lima mata dalam misinya beraksi
di bumi London kelak.

Timbalan Presiden Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM), Datuk Naim Mohamad berkata, sekiranya Fatehah mampu mengekalkan rentak kecemerlangan tersebut tidak mustahil dia mampu menjadi pelumba wanita pertama negara beraksi pada Sukan Olimpik.
“Mengikut peraturan yang ditetapkan, hanya dua pelumba yang mengutip mata tertinggi dalam satu-satu acara dari Asia layak beraksi pada Sukan Olimpik nanti.

“Setakat ini, hanya Fatehah sahaja yang berjaya mengutip mata. Pencabar-pencabarnya dari Hong Kong, Jepun dan China masih belum memperoleh sebarang mata. Jadi, saya lihat peluang Fatehah kini sangat cerah.
“Apa yang saya harapkan adalah Fatehah perlu bekerja keras selepas ini agar dia dapat memastikan prestasinya sentiasa berada pada tahap terbaik dalam setiap kejohanan yang menawarkan mata bagi membolehkan dia layak ke Sukan Olimpik,” kata Naim ketika dihubungi Kosmo! semalam.

Selain Fatehah, jaguh acara trek negara, Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang turut mengumpul tujuh mata manakala seorang lagi pelumba, Josiah Ng (sembilan mata).
Peluang buat pelumba-pelumba negara untuk terus mengumpul mata bakal hadir pada Kejohanan Lumba Basikal Piala Dunia Klasik Siri 3

di Beijing, China, Januari tahun depan dan Siri 4 di London sebulan kemudian.
Percubaan terakhir buat semua pelumba untuk mengumpul mata bagi layak ke Sukan Olimpik ialah pada Kejohanan Lumba Basikal Trek Dunia di Melbourne, Australia pada April tahun depan.

KOSMO

Uphill task for shuttlers

2011-12-02T10:57:00.002+08:00

Chong Wei, doubles pair only Malaysian challengers as China look to dominate

Koo Kien Keat (right) and Tan Boon Heong will have to produce their best in the World Super Series Finals.

LEE Chong Wei's objective to win the World Super Series Finals crown for the fourth consecutive time will be severely tested by the in-form Lin Dan in front of his home crowd in Liuzhou, China on Dec 14-18.
Chong Wei and men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong were the only Malaysians to qualify for the final tournament of the year while China have the maximum two entries for each of the five events.

Lin Dan chose to withdraw from the Super Series Finals over the last three years and Chong Wei capitalised on his absence to secure a hat-trick.

However, Lin Dan seems to have regained his form since winning his fourth World Championships title in London by beating Chong Wei in the final in August and upstaged the Malaysian en route to the Hong Kong and China Open titles last month.

Lin Dan rarely loses to his rivals at home and Chong Wei has never beaten him in China and it will take a superhuman effort from the World No 1 in Liuzhou.

Others who have qualified are Chen Long of China, Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark, Japanese duo Kenichi Tago and Sho Sasaki as well as Indonesians Taufik Hidayat and Simon Santoso.

Chong Wei and Lin Dan are expected to battle it out in the final.

The men's doubles will be a toss between China's Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng and Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae of South Korea while another Korean pair Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong are the darkhorses.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong, winners in 2008, have not overcome their wretched form and will be lucky if they can make it to the semi-final stage.

China will be aiming for a clean sweep as this is something they have never achieved in the Super Series Finals and only Jae Sung-Yong Dae are capable of denying the hosts in the men's doubles.

Read more: NST

CYCLING: Azizul on the prowl

2011-12-02T10:52:00.001+08:00

World No 1 returns to favourite hunting ground in Cali

THE second round of the UCI World Cup in Cali, Colombia this weekend will give Azizul Hasni Awang a chance to regain his confidence in his comeback.
The 23-year-old still holds on to his World No 1 spot in the keirin despite a lacklustre return to racing in the opening round of the World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan on Nov 4-6.

In his first competition since recovering from a career threatening calf injury sustained in the final round of last season's World Cup in Manchester, Azizul went out in the first round repechages of the keirin.

Josiah Ng won the repechage heat in which Azizul was eliminated and went on to finish fourth in the final. Though Josiah has only a slim chance of qualifying for an individual spot in the Olympics, the points did add to the nation's rankings.

Fatehah Mustapa is also in Cali, having delivered on her three-gold medal target in the Sea Games in Jakarta last week and will now look to cement her spot with Malaysia currently 12th in the women's keirin rankings.

National team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad said there was no particular concern with Azizul's poor showing in Astana and expectations are that he will produce improvements in Cali.

"It was a good warm-up for Azizul in Astana and Josiah also showed that he is still able to step up a gear and rank among the best," said Naim.

"It is still early days and our sights are on the Olympics in London. Cali is Azizul's favourite hunting ground and he has many admirers among the cycling fans there, so he won't be short of supporters there.

"At the same time, we're not pressuring Azizul to quickly start producing results. He has time and he's not in danger of losing the Olympic spot and neither is his ranking threatened."

The squad arrived in Cali on Saturday to acclimatise and prepare for the meet.

Naim said Azizul is expected to be back at his best when he heads to the third round of the World Cup in Beijing, the scene of his first ever World Cup gold medal in 2008, on Jan 13-15.

"We expect that Beijing will be where we will see Azizul back at his best. After that, we head to London for the final round of the World Cup which will be held on the same velodrome that hosts the Olympics," said Naim.

"The World Championships in Melbourne will be his first big target, before we take a break and prepare for the Olympics."

Read more: NST

PKBM cari pelumba Olimpik

2011-12-02T10:51:00.001+08:00

Muhammad Adiq Husainie Othman (kiri) dan Anuar Manan antara calon yang bersaing untuk mengisi dua slot pelumba lebuh raya ke Sukan Olimpik tahun depan.

KUALA LUMPUR - Kegagalan pelumba lebuh raya kebangsaan pada Sukan SEA XXVI baru-baru ini tidak mengugat keyakinan Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM), sebaliknya percaya boleh kembali meletakkan skuad berbasikal negara pada landasan tepat menjelang Sukan Olimpik 2012.

PKBM juga yakin untuk melahir dua pelumba berbisa dalam masa singkat bagi dipertaruhkan di kota London nanti, walaupun prestasi pelumba negara dalam acara lepas beramai-ramai elit lelaki di Jakarta membayangkan Malaysia sukar menampilkan nama besar pada temasya sukan terbesar di dunia itu nanti.
Presiden PKBM, Abu Samah Wahab menjelaskan buat permulaan, pihaknya akan menjadikan Kejohanan Grand Prix Kebangsaan Sirkit Negeri Sembilan yang diadakan esok, sebagai medan untuk kembali mengenal pasti calon pelumba berkaliber bagi menyertai acara lebuh raya pada hari pembukaan Sukan Olimpik 2012.

Sambil menegaskan bahawa pasukan lebuh raya masih perlu dihormati kerana layak ke Sukan Olimpik 2012 secara merit, Naib Presiden Persekutuan Berbasikal Asia (ACC) itu menegaskan keupayaan layak ke London menjadi bukti terpenting betapa skuad lebuh raya masih mempunyai masa depan yang cerah.

"Kita layak secara merit untuk hantar dua pelumba sertai acara lebuh raya di London. Malaysia adalah antara empat negara Asia iaitu Jepun, Kazakhstan dan Uzbekistan yang layak secara merit ke Olimpik 2012.

"Ia bukti pasukan lebuh raya kita masih mempunyai masa depan cerah. Bukan mudah untuk layak ke Sukan Olimpik 2012. Perlu juga diingatkan bahawa negara kuasa besar Asia seperti Korea Selatan juga tidak layak ke Sukan Olimpik 2012.

"Justeru, kita perlu lupakan kegagalan pelumba negara di Sukan SEA. Saya percaya ada hikmah di sebalik kegagalan tersebut.

"Dahulu kita selalu menang pingat emas. Sekarang kita sudah tiga kali gagal raih pingat emas Sukan SEA.
"Ini satu cabaran besar untuk PKBM. Kami akan terus berusaha untuk perbaiki kelemahan ini," katanya dalam satu kenyataan semalam.

Abu Samah juga mengarah dua jurulatih kebangsaan, Graham Seers dan Syed Mohamad Hussain Syed Mazlan segera mengenal pasti dua calon pelumba yang bakal dihantar berlumba di London nanti.

"Kita masih mempunyai waktu untuk kenal pasti siapakah yang patut dihantar ke London. Mereka patut mula memantau prestasi Mohamad Adiq Hussainie (Othman), Amir Rusli (Mustafa; Ng Yong Li atau Anuar (Manan)," katanya.

UTUSAN MALAYSIA

Fatehah buru mata Olimpik 2012

2011-12-02T10:50:00.001+08:00

FATEHAH Mustapa mahu meneruskan kecemerlangan Sukan SEA XXVI dengan meraih tiga pingat emas pada Siri Piala Dunia Klasik di Cali, Colombia hari ini.

KUALA LUMPUR – Pelumba basikal trek negara, Fatehah Mustapa berharap dapat mengekalkan rentak kecemerlangannya pada Sukan SEA XXVI menjelang saingan Siri Piala Dunia Klasik di Cali, Colombia hari ini.

Pemenang tiga pingat emas pada temasya dwitahunan itu berkata, walaupun penat selepas menyertai Sukan SEA, dia tetap bersemangat untuk melakukan yang terbaik dalam aksi pertamanya pada Siri Piala Dunia Klasik bagi musim 2011/12.

“Saya mungkin akan mengambil bahagian dalam dua atau tiga acara, antaranya pecut, keirin dan scratch. Tumpuan khusus diberikan kepada acara keirin untuk sekurang-kurangnya mara ke akhir,” katanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia.

Di Jakarta bulan lepas, Fatehah cemerlang meraih emas dalam acara 500m ujian masa individu, pecut dan pecut berpasukan.

Sebaik sahaja menamatkan saingan Sukan SEA, dia terus pulang ke Melbourne untuk persiapan ke Siri Piala Dunia Klasik.

“Saya bukan penat kerana baru sahaja menamatkan saingan Sukan SEA, tetapi terpaksa menempuhi perjalanan yang jauh untuk tiba di Cali. Sebelum ke sini kami berlepas dari Melbourne menuju ke Los Angeles seterusnya ke Miami dan tiba di Cali.

“Saya berharap dapat mengekalkan momentum Sukan SEA walaupun penat ke sana ke mari merentasi beberapa benua. Saya perlu memantapkan diri dengan menyesuaikan keadaan trek dan mempersiapkan diri di gimnasium,” katanya.

Selain Fatehah dua lagi pelumba negara yang akan mengambil bahagian pada Siri Piala Dunia Klasik kedua selepas Astana, Kazakhstan bulan lepas iaitu Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang dan Josiah Ng. Azizulhasni, mewakili Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) manakala Josiah mewakili Malaysia.

Oleh FERZALFIE FAUZI
ferzalfie.fauzi@utusan.com.my

Mantapkan mental Chong Wei: Tengku Kamil

2011-12-02T10:49:00.002+08:00

KEKUATAN mental perlu diberi penekanan jaguh badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei jika mahu memenangi pingat emas Sukan Olimpik London tahun depan.

Timbalan Presiden Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Tengku Kamil Ismail Tengku Idris Shah, berkata berdasarkan prestasi semasa, Chong Wei dilihat tidak menghadapi masalah besar terutama dari segi kecergasan fizikal.

Namun, menurutnya, kekuatan mental dilihat menjadi halangan utamanya meraih kejayaan terutama membabitkan pertemuan dengan jaguh dunia, Lin Dan dari China.
“Pada pandangan peribadi saya, Chong Wei bukan saja perlu memberi tumpuan dari segi kecergasan fizikal tetapi mental harus diberi keutamaan jika mahu mencipta kejayaan besar terutama di pentas Sukan Olimpik.

“Jika dia (Chong Wei) dapat menanganinya, saya percaya pemain badminton seperti Lin Dan mampu ditewaskan,” katanya semalam.

Tengku Kamil Ismail berkata demikian ketika mengulas kegagalan Chong Wei menewaskan Lin Dan pada separuh akhir Terbuka China dan Terbuka Hong Kong baru-baru ini.

Kekalahan itu menyaksikan Chong Wei masih gagal menundukkan musuh ketatnya itu yang jelas sukar dijinakkan, sekaligus memberi petanda awal bahawa jaguh China itu bakal mempertahankan pingas emas seperti yang dilakukan pada Sukan Olimpik Beijing 2008.

Bagi memastikan prestasi Chong Wei berada pada tahap terbaik, menurut Tengku Kamil Ismail, dia diharap hanya memberi tumpuan pada kejohanan besar seperti Super Siri sahaja.

“Dengan memberi tumpuan pada kejohanan lebih berprestij, tempoh rehat Chong Wei lebih panjang berbanding jika dia menyertai semua kejohanan.

“Bagi saya, dia perlu memberi tumpuan pada kejohanan Super Siri. Saya harap kejohanan terdekat yang seharusnya menjadi tumpuan adalah Terbuka Korea dan Terbuka Malaysia Januari depan,” katanya.

MyMetro

Program Chong Wei dirombak

2011-12-02T10:48:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR - Demi memastikan prospek pingat emas Malaysia pada Sukan Olimpik 2012 tidak terjejas dan Datuk Lee Chong Wei dapat berada pada prestasi terbaik pada hari pertandingan, semua program yang melibatkan jaguh No. 1 dunia itu sepanjang tahun depan akan dikaji semula.

Pada usia yang bakal mencecah 30 tahun, Chong Wei tidak mampu lagi menerima lambakan kejohanan bagi membolehkan tenaganya berada pada tahap tertinggi apabila temasya London bermula dari 27 Julai hingga 12 Ogos.

Begitupun dalam masa yang sama, dia memerlukan kejohanan berkualiti dan mencukupi untuk memastikan kedudukannya sebagai pemain No. 1 dunia tidak terjejas, kerana jika dia mengalami kejatuhan ranking, ia berpotensi mengundang undian sukar.

Dalam kata lain, Jawatankuasa Kejurulatihan dan Latihan (C&T) Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) yang bermesyuarat pada 14 Disember ini perlu bijak merangka program Chong Wei untuk melindungi prospek emas Malaysia itu, selain memikirkan cara bagaimana dia dapat menangani ancaman tiga jaguh China, Lin Dan, Chen Jin dan Chen Long.

Chong Wei mengharungi jadual pertandingan yang terlalu padat tahun ini hingga akhirnya memaksa dia menarik diri daripada kejohanan kegemarannya, Terbuka Macau yang bermula semalam pada saat akhir alasan keletihan.

Juara All England itu bertanding dalam dua kejohanan utama iaitu Siri Super Terbuka Hong Kong (15-20 November) dan Siri Super Premier Terbuka China (22-27 November) secara berturut-turut, di mana dia kalah kepada Lin Dan pada separuh akhir kedua-dua saingan.

Melihat kekalahan itu dan keadaan Chong Wei, mengundang resah peminat serta pemerhati badminton negara ketika Sukan Olimpik tinggal tujuh bulan.

Perkara yang menimbulkan persoalan, apakah dia mampu menangani Lin Dan yang semakin menunjukkan peningkatan, malah China juga memasang strategi dengan meletakkan Chen Long dan Chen Jin sebagai halangan.

Timbalan Presiden BAM, Datuk Mohamed Al-Amin Abdul Majid mengakui, pendekatan Chong Wei perlu dikaji semula kerana pemain itu tidak lagi semuda dulu, justeru apa juga program yang diatur perlu turut mengambil kira faktor usia.

"C&T akan melihat semula program Chong Wei dan memikirkan apa yang terbaik untuk pemain itu dalam masa mesyuarat terdekat. Pelbagai faktor akan diambil kira, terutama umur tetapi apa juga perancangan, keutamaan haruslah kepada Sukan Olimpik 2012,'' kata Al-Amin pada sidang akhbar pelancaran logo baru Kejohanan Badminton Maybank Terbuka Malaysia di Menara Maybank, di sini semalam.

Setiausaha Kehormat BAM, Ng Chin Chai juga mengakui, CTC perlu teliti dan bijak merangka program pemain No. 1 dunia itu demi mengelak situasi 'yang dikejar tak dapat, yang dikendong berciciran'.
"Sudah tentu Chong Wei perlu lebih kolektif memilih kejohanan tahun depan dengan hanya beraksi dalam kejohanan utama dan mengetepikan pertandingan yang tidak begitu penting, masalahnya ada sekurang-kurangnya beberapa kejohanan utama menuju ke tarikh akhir kelayakan Olimpik, jadi kita perlu teliti menentukan apakah kejohanan yang akan disertai.

"Perlu diingat, kita bukan saja melindungi prestasi pemain ini dan mengelakkannya daripada keletihan, tetapi kita juga kena memastikan Chong Wei dapat mengekalkan kedudukan No. 1 dunia sehingga tarikh undian. Hanya ranking yang baik menjamin undian yang baik,'' kata Chin Chai.

Dalam tempoh empat bulan sebelum tarikh tutup kelayakan, terdapat enam kejohanan utama berlangsung bermula dengan Terbuka Korea (3-8 Januari), Terbuka Malaysia (10-15 Januari), kelayakan Piala Thomas (14-19 Februari), All England (6-11 Mac), Kejohanan Asia (17-22 April) dan Terbuka India (24-29 April).
Kelayakan Sukan Olimpik London akan ditutup pada 29 April depan, manakala status pilihan dibuat berdasarkan ranking 3 Mei, 2012. Bermakna, Chong Wei perlu berada pada kedudukan No. 1 dunia apabila ranking 3 Mei diumumkan untuk membolehkannya menerima undian yang baik.

Oleh Norzie Mohd. Khasbi
norzie.khasbi@utusan.com.my

Beregu wanita kian sukar ke London 2012

2011-12-02T10:47:00.001+08:00

Gandingan Wong Pei Tty (depan) dan Chin Eei Hui tersingkir pada pusingan kedua Terbuka Macau, semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR - Peluang pasangan wanita negara, Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui untuk mencari tiket Sukan Olimpik 2012 semakin sukar apabila mengalami satu lagi penyingkiran awal, kali ini di pusingan kedua Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Macau, semalam.
Malah, beberapa pemain yang diharap menyerlah pada kejohanan Grand Prix emas itu, termasuk beregu muda, Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem, Mak Hee Chun-Ong Soon Hock dan juara remaja dunia, Zulfadli Zulkifli, semuanya turut menemui kegagalan.

Tanpa jaguh No. 1 dunia, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, yang menarik diri akibat keletihan kelmarin, Muhammad Hafiz Hashim berjaya meneruskan kemaraan Malaysia dalam perseorangan lelaki dengan menyingkirkan pemain kebangsaan, Chan Kwong Beng 21-8, 21-18. Hafiz kini akan berjumpa pemain muda Indonesia, Tommy Sugiarto yang mara selepas menumpaskan seorang lagi pemain negara, Pei Wee Chung 21-3, 21-9.

Sementara itu, Pei Tty-Eei Hui yang sanggup mengorbankan Sukan SEA XXVI untuk memberi tumpuan kepada kelayakan Olimpik bagaimanapun mendapati pengorbanan mereka tidak cukup berbaloi apabila ditunjukkan jalan keluar oleh pasangan Taiwan, Chou Chia Chi-Yang Chia Chen 21-19, 19-21, 19-21.

Turut mengecewakan adalah kekalahan Khim Wah-V Shem kepada Alvent Yulianto-Hendra Gunawan. Biarpun pasangan Indonesia adalah pilihan kelima, namun Khim Wah-V Shem menjadi harapan untuk melakar kejutan selepas persembahan cemerlang yang ditunjukkan pada Sukan SEA lalu. Pasangan muda negara itu tewas 19-21, 21-12, 12-21.

Hee Chun-Soon Hock pula tunduk 20-22, 13-21 kepada Kim Ki Jung-Shin Baek Choel dari Korea, manakala pasangan bebas Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen yang tewas 16-21, 16-21 kepada Yohanes Rendy Sugiarto-Afiat Yuris Wirawan dari Indonesia.

Satu lagi saingan beregu lelaki menyaksikan pasangan muda, Mohd Lutfi Zaim Abdul Khalid-Vountus Indra Mawan menumpaskan beregu veteran senegara, Chan Chong Ming-Lee Wan Wah 21-17, 21-23, 21-19.
Dalam aksi perseorangan lelaki, Zulfadli, 18, memberi tentangan kepada pemain yang jauh lebih berpengalaman, Simon Santoso dari Indonesia sebelum tunduk 15-21, 18-21 di tangan pemenang pingat emas Sukan SEA itu.

UTUSAN MALAYISA

Tiket Olimpik dalam minda Traisy

2011-12-02T10:46:00.002+08:00

Aksi Traisy Vivien (kanan) dan gandingannya Leong Mun Yee dalam acara terjun serentak 10m platform pada Sukan SEA XXVI di Palembang, baru-baru ini.

KUALA LUMPUR - Penerjun muda kebangsaan, Traisy Vivien Tukiet sedang mempelajari gaya terjunan baru dalam usaha memantapkan dirinya menjelang saingan Piala Dunia Terjun FINA di London, Februari depan.

Piala Dunia akan menjadi medan kelayakkan terakhir untuk Olimpik 2012 dan Traisy, 17, tidak sanggup melepaskan peluang keemasan untuk meraih tiket beraksi di temasya sukan terbesar dunia itu.
Pada Kejohanan Akuatik Dunia di Shanghai, Julai lalu, agak mendukacitakan buat Traisy apabila menamatkan saingan acara 10m platform individu wanita di ranking ke-14, menyaksikan dia terlepas tiket awal Olimpik yang disediakan hanya untuk 12 penerjun terbaik.

Ratu terjun kita, Pandelela Rinong mengesahkan slot kelayakkan ketika itu selepas meraih tempat kelima acara yang sama.
"Memang agak kecewa pada masa itu saya gagal mengiringi Lela (Pandelela), hanya dua ranking memisahkan saya dengan tiket Olimpik.

"Namun saya sedar catatan markah terjunan masih lagi kurang memberangsangkan. Jadi untuk mencerahkan peluang saya pada Piala Dunia nanti, saya sedang gigih berlatih gaya armstand.
"Agak sukar, tetapi saya harap dapat menguasainya secepat mungkin. Sekiranya sempurna kelak, saya yakin dapat memungut mata tinggi," katanya.

Sebenarnya Traisy sedar peluang dirinya layak beraksi di Pusat Akuatik London tahun depan adalah sangat cerah.
Dengan 12 penerjun terbaik dunia telah pun diketahui, 18 lagi tiket akan ditawarkan untuk setiap acara individu pada Piala Dunia nanti.

Mengambil kira prestasi Traisy sepanjang tahun ini yang termasuk merangkul pingat emas Sukan SEA dalam acara 10m platform seirama wanita bersama Leong Mun Yee baru-baru ini, dia sememangnya mempunyai peluang terbaik.

Pada Sukan Asia Guangzhou dan Sukan Komanwel New Delhi, Traisy layak ke final dan menamatkan saingan di tempat kesembilan untuk kedua-dua temasya tersebut.
Gadis kelahiran Sarawak itu juga mencatat dua keputusan memberangsangkan pada saingan GP dunia iaitu tempat ke-12 di GP Montreal, Kanada dan kelapan di GP Rostock, Jerman, membolehkan dia menghuni ranking ke-16 dunia.

Traisy juga sedar dia yang kini bergelar penerjun platform wanita nombor dua negara selepas Pandelela, mungkin diberi tanggungjawab baru menggantikan Mun Yee yang dijangka bersara tidak lama lagi, untuk digandingkan dengan Pandelela dalam acara seirama.

UTUSAN MLAYSIA

Athletes from Road to London programme shine at the Games

2011-11-30T11:41:00.000+08:00

JAKARTA: Malaysia put up a respectable showing in the 26th edition of the SEA Games held at two cities – Jakarta and Palembang – despite the hostile crowd.

In the Games, which came to a close on Tuesday with colourful display of fireworks, Malaysian athletes from the Olympic sport made the loudest noise here in Indonesia with their good performances.

Going for gold: Pandelela Rinong on her way to winning the women’s 10m platform gold medal in Palembang.

Malaysia won a total of 59 gold medals to finish as the fourth overall team behind runaway leaders Indonesia (182), Thailand (107) and Vietnam (96) and out of that, 39 gold came from Olympic sports.
In fact, in the five sports under the Road to London programme – archery, badminton, diving, cycling and shooting – Malaysia have done better than their counterparts.

Indonesia have a total of 24 gold medals to show from these five sports, followed by Malaysia (18), Vietnam (8), Thailand (4) and Singapore (1).

Archer Cheng Chu Sian, divers Pandelela Rinong, Bryan Nickson Lomas, Yeoh Ken Nee and shooter Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi did well to underline their status in their respective sports.

In the strong Asian Games sports like bowling, karate and wushu, the athletes also delivered the goods.
These athletes were competing in a hostile battleground where jeers and boos were the norm of the day but they did not cave in.

Rather than retaliating or responding in an unsporting manner, our Malaysians athletes turned deaf ears to their jeers and went on with their mission.

Football, especially, did the country proud after beating Indonesia in a fantastic manner to defend the crown and silenced the Senayan Roar at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

Careful aim: Cheng Chu Sian on target in the archery event.

But the Malaysian sports should not hide behind these “little” successes because there are few areas that we need to take a hard look at ourselves in the mirror.

There were poor results too.

All the Malaysian shorinji kempo athletes finished last in their events; in team sports like baseball, softball (men and women) and men’s waterpolo, we did not even win a single match; and in tennis, none of our athletes went beyond the second round despite so much money being spend on them.

They should not be stopped from competing but the bar has to be raised even higher.
Talking about higher qualification marks, there should be one for the officials too.

The doors should not be open to everyone to make their trip to the SEA Games on the expenses of the tax payers money. Careful thought should be given before one is accredited.

It is agreed that Indonesia could have done better if not for their issues on corruption, ill preparation, the poor crowd control and the annoyance from a sea of uncivilised fans but Malaysians are not all angels either.

Take a look at the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU)! Despite lack of care and attention, their 4x400m quartet of S. Kannathasan, P. Yuvaaraj, Schzuan Ahmad Rosely and Muhammad Yunus Lasaleh defied the odds to win a gold medal – after making their way to the SEA Games at the last minute through the good will of some coaches, who trusted their ability and talent.

Trust, is also something that the National Sports Council (NSC) should have for their athletes, coaches and sport associations.

Team managers were willing to stick their head for a 60-medal gold target but the NSC lowered it to 40-45.
Malaysia should learn to aim high – it does not matter if the team fail. At least, they would have been pushed themselves to the limit – especially those young athletes.

The next Games is in Myanmar and they have promised to do better than Indonesia – by scaling down the numbers of sports and events and ensuring better stay and a more friendly environment.
Hopefully, the Games will regain it’s status once again.

The Star

Badminton: Chong Wei aims to bid farewell with a perfect 10

2011-10-12T09:22:00.000+08:00

THE National Grand Prix Finals, which begins at Juara Stadium today, will be special for Lee Chong Wei as he sets to complete his 10th consecutive national crown and also bids farewell to the local circuit after remaining unbeaten for nine years.
Chong Wei will continue to dominate the local circuit if he wishes to play on until 2014 but the World No 1 wants to make way for the younger generation.

It was in the 2003 National GP Finals where Chong Wei won his first local title and has always taken pride in competing in the event.

It was his determination to win and become the first player to win 10 straight men's singles titles that has kept him going but he announced earlier this year that it would be his last.
This will pave the way for keener contests involving Arif Latif, Liew Daren, Chong Wei Feng and Chan Kwong Beng to become Chong Wei's successor.

However, the next four days will only be academic as Chong Wei should slice through the field.

His coach Tey Seu Bock said the GP Finals will become a matchplay event and is part of Chong Wei's preparation for the upcoming Denmark Open and French Open over the next three weeks.

Chong Wei is in Group A with Lok Chong Chieh, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin and Chong Yee Han and is expected to meet Arif in the last four.

Daren, Wei Feng and Kwong Beng will be in a three-way tussle to earn the right to meet Chong Wei in the final.

In the men's doubles, Goh Wei Shem-Lim Khim Wah start as favourites as Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, who qualified with Zakry Latif and Hoon Thien How respectively, have withdrawn to focus on preparing for the European Super Series events.

Siblings Lydia and Sonia Cheah are expected to battle it out in the women's singles while fast rising Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei are the favourites to win the women's doubles in the absence of Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui.

Read more: NST

Khairul raih gangsa Memanah Klasik

2011-10-12T09:17:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR - Sekiranya prestasi semasa skuad memanah kebangsaan terutamanya Khairul Anuar Mohamed dijadikan ukuran, maka harapan membidik pingat pertama sukan memanah pada Olimpik 2012 pasti cerah.

Khairul Anuar sekali lagi membuktikan kehebatannya di pentas antarabangsa apabila merangkul pingat gangsa recurve individu Memanah Klasik London, pertandingan yang merupakan Ujian Olimpik di London kelmarin.
Bulan lalu, dia mencipta sejarah meraih naib juara Pusingan Keempat Piala Dunia di Shanghai.

Persembahannya sepanjang minggu pada Ujian Olimpik yang melabuhkan tirai kelmarin, merupakan petunjuk positif menjelang London 2012.

Kemunculan Khairul Anuar tepat pada masa kerana misi memburu pingat Olimpik tidak boleh bergantung kepada pemanah No.1 negara, Cheng Chu Sian semata-mata.

Begitu juga dengan kelibat cemerlang seorang lagi pemanah muda, Haziq Kamaruddin yang diketengahkan oleh ketua jurulatih, Lee Jae-Hyung.

Dia tidak mengecewakan selepas melangkah sejauh suku akhir di London sebelum tunduk 2-6 kepada pemanah No.1 dunia, Brady Ellison dari Amerika Syarikat.

Ellison yang akhirnya muncul juara Memanah Klasik London, merupakan lawan yang menyekat kemaraan Khairul Anuar dengan kemenangan 6-2 pada separuh akhir.

Khairul Anuar bagaimanapun menebus kekecewaan tersebut pada penentuan pingat gangsa dengan menewaskan pemanah Ukraine, Dmytro Hrachov 6-4.

Sementara itu, bagi Chu Sian pula, meskipun terkandas pada pusingan ketiga (16 pemanah terakhir), persembahannya tetap boleh dibanggakan.

Dia kecundang 2-6 di tangan naib juara dari Korea Selatan, Im Dong- Hyun.

UTUSAN MALAYSIA

Archery: Khairul is Olympic medal hope

2011-10-12T09:16:00.001+08:00

Khairul Anuar Mohamad won bronze at the London Archery Classic on Monday.

KHAIRUL Anuar Mohamad has emerged as a Olympic medal contender for Malaysia after claiming bronze at the London Archery Classic at the Lord's Cricket Ground on Monday. The rookie national archer, competing in just his third international tournament, followed up his run to the Shanghai World Cup final last month by beating Ukraine's world No 5 Dmytro Hrachov 6-4 in the bronze medal playoff.

Khairul was denied a place in the final by Brady Ellison, the American who beat him in the Shanghai final before going on to claim gold with a 6-2 win over world record holder Im Dong Hyun of South Korea in the final.

Ellison also knocked out Haziq Kamaruddin, another national team rookie, 6-2 in the quarter-finals after the Malaysian missed the target completely with his opening arrow to ruin his chances of an upset.
Dong Hyun accounted for National No 1 Cheng Chu Sian 6-2 in the third round but the encouraging performances of the national trio augurs well when the Olympics roll around next July and August.

The national archers head for the Asian Championships in Teheran next week where they will surely be in contention for individual and team honours.

Although the National Archery Association of Malaysia has the liberty to pick any three archers for the Olympics, national coach Lee Jae Hyung appears settled on his choice of Chu Sian, Khairul and Haziq.

The trio earned Malaysia three Olympic quotas at this year's World Championships and have maintained their consistency in their subsequent outings in Shanghai and London.

Jae Hyung sees little reason to break up the successful team but the archers will be kept on their toes leading up the Olympics.

"The coach has not said who will be going to the Olympics. Anyone can be picked and if any of us lose form, we are in danger. We'll just have to keep performing and hope to earn our places in the team," said Haziq, 20, before the trio's departure for London last week.

Read more: NST

Mampu hantar skuad terbesar

2011-10-04T10:37:00.003+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR - Kejohanan Terjun Piala Asia yang menutup tirai di Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, minggu lalu menghasilkan dua lagi tiket Olimpik buat skuad terjun negara - menjadikan jumlah kuota yang diraih Malaysia kepada empat setakat ini.

Sebelum ini, acara terjun mengesahkan tiket Olimpik menerusi Pandelela Rinong (10 meter platform individu wanita) dan Bryan Nickson Lomas (3m papan anjal individu lelaki) pada Kejohanan Akuatik Dunia di Shanghai, Julai lalu.

Terjun menambah dua lagi kuota selaku juara benua Asia, dengan Bryan akhirnya meraih tempat dalam acara kegemarannya iaitu 10m platform dan Yeoh Ken Nee (3m papan anjal).

Berikutan itu, Malaysia dijangka buat pertama kali bakal menghantar skuad terjun terbesar ke temasya sukan terbesar dunia itu, dengan beberapa lagi penerjun diramal mampu melayakkan diri menerusi Piala Dunia, London, Februari depan.

Piala Dunia yang menjadi medan terakhir kelayakan Olimpik, menawarkan 18 lagi slot dalam setiap acara individu dan empat bagi acara seirama.

Daripada empat atlet yang disenarai dalam program Road to London, hanya Leong Mun Yee masih belum meraih tiket ke temasya 2012 itu.

Begitupun, tiada apa yang harus dibimbangkan kerana dia sepatutnya layak dalam acara 10m platform seirama bersama Pandelela tahun depan, berdasarkan status mereka sebagai lima pasangan terbaik dunia acara itu.

Mereka yang pernah meraih pingat gangsa pada Kejohanan Dunia di Rome dua tahun lalu adalah harapan paling realistik Malaysia mendapatkan pingat pertama sukan terjun di Olimpik.

Begitu juga Bryan dan Ken Nee yang kini tidak perlu risau mengenai kelayakkan individu, masing-masing boleh menumpukan sepenuhnya perhatian kepada persiapan dalam acara 3m papan anjal seirama.

Tidak mustahil jika kita bakal mempunyai dua pasangan dalam dua acara seirama pada temasya tahun depan selepas tiada pasangan pernah layak di Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 dan Beijing 2008.

Mengambil kira prestasi semasa beberapa kejohanan sebelum ini, penerjun muda seperti Traisy Vivien Tukiet, Cheong Jun Hoong, Wendy Ng Yan Yee serta Ooi Tze Liang juga dilihat mempunyai harapan ke London.
Empat penerjun ke Beijing 2008 ialah Mun Yee, Pandelela, Bryan dan Elizabeth Jimie.

Oleh TAN MING WAI
tan.mingwai@utusan.com.my

Olimpik jadi sasaran terbaru

2011-10-03T12:52:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR - Peningkatan hebat yang dipamer beregu muda negara, Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei tiba di kemuncaknya semalam, apabila merangkul kejuaraan pertama selepas lima bulan digandingkan pada Kejohanan Badminton Grand Prix Emas Terbuka Indonesia di Kalimantan Timur.

Semalam, Vivian-Khe Wei mempamer pertahanan mantap dan permainan bijak ketika menewaskan pasangan pilihan dari China yang juga juara Terbuka Jepun, Yixin Bao-Zhong Qianxin 19-21, 21-19, 21-18 dalam pertarungan sengit satu jam, 15 minit.

Selepas berterusan menunjukkan aksi konsisten - merangkul satu gelaran, melangkah dalam dua separuh akhir dan satu suku akhir daripada lima kejohanan yang disertai tahun ini, pasangan wanita negara itu mula melancarkan misi mencari tiket Sukan Olimpik 2012.

Biarpun sedar ia tidak mudah, apatah lagi dengan hanya menghuni ranking ke-60 dunia ketika ini, namun Khe Wei-Vivian percaya slot ke London boleh diraih andai terus bermain konsisten dan berjaya menambah koleksi kejuaraan.

"Saya terhutang budi kepada semua jurulatih yang membantu saya dan Vivian menjadi satu kombinasi mantap, bermula dari Pang Cheh Chang, Rexy Mainaky dan Chong Kien Ling.

"Saya tidak sangka gelaran akan diraih dalam tempoh lima bulan pertama kami digandingkan tetapi saya dapat rasakan ia akan tiba kerana menunjukkan prestasi yang baik sepanjang bersama.

"Ramai yang kata kami mempunyai potensi besar untuk mempertahankan emas yang dimenangi senior kami, (Wong) Pei Tty-(Chin) Eei Hui pada Sukan SEA nanti. Saya tidak mahu menetapkan sasaran untuk satu kejohanan, sebaliknya mahu beraksi konsisten selama beberapa bulan ini dan mencari tiket Olimpik 2012,'' kata Khe Wei ketika dihubungi di Kalimantan Timur, semalam.

Selepas membuktikan kemampuan dalam empat kejohanan berstatus Grand Prix Emas, Vivian-Khe Wei kini bakal berdepan ujian sebenar apabila bertanding pada kejohanan Siri Super Premier dan Siri Super di Terbuka Denmark (18-23 Oktober) serta Terbuka Perancis di Paris, 25-30 Oktober ini.

Kedua-dua kejohanan itu bakal menampilkan lawan yang sukar dan mencabar, terutama pasangan utama dari China, Jepun dan Korea.

Bagaimanapun, Vivian-Khe Wei menegaskan, mereka cukup teruja untuk menguji sejauh mana keupayaan.
Menurut Khe Wei, 22, dia dan Vivian menunjukkan pertahanan mantap dan mampu bermain dengan sabar ketika berdepan serangan hebat, Yixin Bao-Zhong Qianxin, pilihan kelapan kejohanan. Ia adalah taktik sama yang digunakan ketika mengejutkan satu lagi pasangan China, yang juga pilihan keenam, Cheng Shu-Pan Pan 21-15, 18-21, 21-18 di suku akhir.

Justeru, Vivian-Khe Wei yang turut melangkah ke separuh akhir Terbuka Thailand dan Taiwan, selain suku akhir Terbuka Vietnam, percaya permainan tersebut mampu menjadi kunci utama mereka untuk berdepan lawan yang bermain pantas.

Oleh Norzie Mohd. Khasbi
norzie.khasbi@utusan.com.my

Terjun mampu raih satu lagi tiket Olimpik

2011-09-21T10:51:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR - Persatuan Renang Amatur Malaysia (ASUM) yakin Malaysia mampu menyambar sekurang-kurangnya satu daripada empat slot Olimpik 2012 pada Kejohanan Terjun Piala Asia di Pusat Akuatik Nasional, 25-27 September ini.

Sebanyak 10 acara dipertandingkan, namun hanya empat tiket ke London ditawarkan untuk pemenang acara individu 10m platform dan 3m papan anjal (lelaki dan wanita)
Enam lagi acara ialah 1m papan anjal 3m papan anjal seirama dan 10m platform seirama (kesemuanya lelaki dan wanita).

Setiausaha ASUM, Edwin Chong berkata, tujuh negara termasuk Malaysia telah mengesahkan penyertaan pada kejohanan edisi keempat itu.

"Selain kita, negara-negara lain ialah China, Indonesia, Singapura, Bangladesh, Hong Kong dan Macao," katanya.

"China menghantar 12 penerjun, tetapi kesemuanya adalah penerjun pelapis. Mereka tidak menghantar juara Dunia dan Olimpik kerana kesemua tiket Olimpik sudah pun diraih.

"Barisan pelapisnya tidak boleh dipandang remeh. Ini kerana skuad terjun China terdiri daripada 50-60 penerjun, mereka tidak pernah ketandusan bakat," katanya semalam.

Edwin percaya Malaysia berpeluang menyambar satu slot menerusi penerjun veteran, Yeoh Ken Nee dalam acara 3m papan anjal atau mungkin ada kejutan dari acara lain.

"Kita juga boleh mengharapkan Leong Mun Yee dan Bryan Nickson dalam 10m platform," ujarnya.

UTUSAN MALAYSIA

Badminton / Japan Open: Chong Wei's road to London begins

2011-09-21T10:50:00.001+08:00

IT is not easy for a player to perform at his best after narrowly failing to win a major title but Lee Chong Wei can use the Japan Open, beginning today, to overcome his frustration after missing out on the world crown in London last month.

Winning the Japan Open is no consolation for someone who was really hoping to nail the big one but Chong Wei has gone through such setbacks before and the only thing he can do is to not lose faith and continue working towards finally clinching a major title.

The London Olympics gold is the ultimate aim and in order to achieve victory next year, Chong Wei must continue to hold his own against his rivals.

China's Lin Dan, his main rival, was the top shuttler for three years before the 2004 Olympics but lost in the first round in Athens and then failed to capture the world title in Anaheim, the United States, a year later.
Lin Dan's first success in a major event was achieved in 2006 when he secured the world crown and since then, he has conquered all.

It is sheer bad luck that Chong Wei is in the same era with Lin Dan, clearly the best men's singles player of all time, but perseverance will ensure the former will be rewarded at some point of his career.

However, Chong Wei must maintain his pedigree until that point arrives and a new cycle of victories should start with the Japan Open and climax with gold in London next year.

Rajiv Ouseph of England, Wang Zhengming of China, Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia and Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark are the players Chong Wei would probably have to beat to reach the final.

The final could be another tussle with Lin Dan but it remains to be seen if the China ace is up for the challenge after having lost in the semi-finals of the China Masters on Saturday.

Though the Japan Open is not the world championships, Chong Wei must beat Lin Dan as every victory against his greatest rival is a plus factor as he closes in on his Olympic dream.

Men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong face a different challenge as they will be in Japan without a coach with Tey Seu Bock likely to provide some tips, but this is a test of the duo's character.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong, on paper, are expected to reach the semis and if they hit their target, it is a sign that they are serious about turning around their poor form.

Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah are the only other Malaysian entry in the tournament and they should target the last eight where they are likely to meet Kien Keat-Boon Heong.

Read more: NST

Kien Keat-Boon Heong remain best bet

2011-09-21T10:49:00.001+08:00

Doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her believes Koo Kien Keat (left) and Tan Boon Heong remain Malaysia’s best hopes for an Olympic medal in the men’s doubles.

AS far as men's doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her is concerned, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong will still be Malaysia's best bets in the London Olympics even if their form is unconvincing.

This is because doubles Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah, who are ranked No 2 in the national team, are still not in the same league as Kien Keat-Boon Heong's, and it is hard for them to qualify for the Olympics unless they started winning the Super Series.

Kim Her feels that Kien Keat-Boon Heong would regain their world conquering form if Kien Keat starts reprising his role as the leader of the men's doubles squad and leads like Lee Chong Wei.

"Next year's Olympics are Kien Keat-Boon Heong's best opportunity to strike gold because this is the prime time of their career. We will try to do everything necessary to ensure they are successful in London," said Kim Her yesterday.
"Both are world class performers and have been around long enough to know what they are capable of. We want to ensure they are provided with a programme that is going to make them feel assured and push hard to regain their form.

"I want to see the Kien Keat of the old who has been the leader of the group and starting becoming an inspiration to Boon Heong and other players.

"As coaches, we have complete faith that Kien Keat and Boon Heong can make a strong comeback."

The national coaches will have a meeting with BAM high performance director Datuk James Selvaraj and manager Kenny Goh to finalise the programmes for the London Olympics.

Pang Cheh Chang has been long touted as the coach to guide Kien Keat-Boon Heong but Kim Her's experience as a much travelled coach and Rosman Razak's expertise in several areas will be utilised by the top pair in their resurgence,

As for V Shem-Khim Wah, Kim Her said they would find it hard to break into the top eight in the Olympic qualifying rankings as they are not consistent enough.

"V Shem-Khim Wah have progressed but they have not become an independent combination. A top class pair will show their pedigree during the crucial stages where a split second decision from them can make a difference between victory and defeat, and this is something V Shem-Khim Wah must master," said Kim Her.

"If a pair still keeps looking at the coaches during matches, they are going to struggle. They must believe their instincts and make decisions fast."

Kien Keat-Boon Heong, who turned 26 and 24 respectively yesterday, are competing in the Japan Open and upon return, they can be assured of a coaching staff waiting to reignite them.

Read more: NST

Prospek setahun menjelang Olimpik 2012 tidak mencapai apa yang dihajati

2011-09-06T09:56:00.001+08:00

SAYA telah memberi ulasan secara ringkas mengenai tiga atlet yang disebut oleh Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek yang mampu membawa pulang pingat khususnya pingat emas pertama negara pada Sukan Olimpik London 2012.

Atlet yang terakhir diduga mampu memenangi pingat termasuk pingat emas di Sukan Olimpik tahun hadapan ialah Azizulhasni Awang iaitu pelumba pecut yang tidak asing lagi.
Sesungguhnya Azizulhasni telah melonjakkan sukan lumba basikal negara khususnya dalam acara trek yang telah diterokai dahulunya oleh pelumba-pelumba seperti Allahyarham Daud Ibrahim, Rosman Alwi dan M. Kumaresan.

Azizulhasni telah dinamakan sebagai mempunyai potensi di London tahun hadapan kerana kejayaannya dalam sirkit lumba basikal dunia.

Seramai enam pelumba acara trek telah dinamakan dalam program Road to London 2012.
Rizal Tisin terpaksa melupakan hasrat beliau untuk bersaing pada Sukan Olimpik dan sekarang menumpukan ke acara basikal bukit.

Pada pandangan saya, hanya Azizulhasni yang mampu bersaing di London manakala pelumba-pelumba lain dalam program, tidaklah mempunyai harapan berdasarkan prestasi semasa mereka kecuali layak bertanding di temasya sukan empat tahun sekali itu.

Kita belum lagi dapat melihat kemampuan beliau bertanding selepas daripada kecederaan yang menimpanya tidak lama dulu.

Kita harap beliau akan dapat memperhebatkan lagi prestasinya, lebih baik dari sebelum beliau mengalami kemalangan yang cukup mencabar semangat sesiapa yang mengalaminya.

Dalam masa setahun menjelang London 2012, saya hanya nampak Datuk Lee Chong Wei sahaja yang mempunyai potensi sebenar untuk mencabar pingat emas.

Mujurlah kita mempunyai masa tidak sampai setahun ini yang wajib digunakan sepenuhnya oleh semua pihak yang dipertanggungjawabkan untuk menyediakan atlet Program Road to London 2012.

Apa pun hujah yang diberikan dengan kegagalan Lee Chong Wei atau lain-lain atlet dalam program berkenaan hanyalah satu cubaan untuk memberi justifikasi program dan perbelanjaan yang telah digunakan.
Barang diingat, negara lain termasuk juga negara China dalam sukan badminton akan bersedia untuk melatih atlet masing-masing supaya dapat memenangi pingat emas.

Dalam kebanyakan hal tahap persediaan mereka lebih baik dari kita.
Pada pandangan saya, jumlah atlet yang dinamakan dalam program ini adalah besar.
Saya tidak mengatakan ia tidak boleh dilakukan tetapi dengan jumlah yang ramai itu maka perbelanjaan yang perlu disediakan adalah besar juga.

Saya dimaklumkan anggaran perbelanjaan yang disediakan adalah sekitar RM26 juta.
Atlet menembak yang mempunyai lima anggota dalam program ini masih lagi belum layak walaupun telah bertanding pada banyak pertandingan antarabangsa.

Kalaulah saya diberi peluang, saya hanya menamakan seorang penembak sahaja yang benar-benar layak menganggotai program ini.

Bagi sukan bola sepak dan hoki, misi utama mereka adalah untuk layak ke London bagi mengulangi kejayaan masing-masing pada tahun 1980 Moscow dan pada Sukan Olimpik Sydney 2000.

UTUSAN MALAYSIA

2011-08-25T10:11:00.001+08:00

Koo and Tan to stay together until after 2012 London Games

2011-08-22T10:42:00.000+08:00

The top men’s doubles pair of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, who did not perform to expectations at the recent World Championships in London, will be left alone to carry on playing together until after the Olympics next year.

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh maintained yesterday that they will not make major changes as the London Olympics will be taking place eleven months from now.

“The most important aspect we have to focus on is to find ways to overcome the weaknesses in their game and making sure they will place themselves in the top four at the end of the qualifying period in April next year.
“We have decided not to do anything drastic with the Olympic Games now less than a year away but we leave it to the coaching and training committee to decide on ways to bring them up again,” said Nadzmi.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong were seen as one of the contenders for the world title aside from top singles player Lee Chong Wei but instead they suffered a tame defeat at the hands of South Korean bogey pair Ko Sung-hyun and Yoo Yeon-seong in the quarter-final stage at the world meet.

The former All-England champions and world No. 1 pair have dropped a spot to fifth position in the latest world rankings, with their place in the top four taken by their conquerors in the world meet Sung-hyun-Yeon-seong.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong will compete in the China Masters and Japan Open next month.
The BAM exco yesterday also decided to allocate an additional RM1.6mil to strengthen the development programmes for the respective affiliates.

It is the biggest amount allocated for development purposes.

Courtesy of The Star

Mengintai emas di bumi London

2011-08-17T12:00:00.002+08:00

IMBAS KEMBALI... Skuad hoki negara terlepas peluang menyambar tiket automatik ke London selepas hanya mampu meraih pingat perak pada Sukan Asia di Guangzhou, China tahun lalu.

TEMASYA Sukan Olimpik 2012 kini hanya tinggal kira-kira setahun lagi sebelum tirai- nya disingkap secara rasmi pada 27 Julai hingga 12 Ogos tahun depan.
Misi memburu pingat emas pertama pada temasya sukan terbesar di dunia itu sekali lagi menjadi keuta- maan bagi kontinjen Malaysia selepas gagal di bumi Beijing tiga tahun lalu.

Setelah berjuta-juta ringgit dihabiskan oleh kerajaan untuk melihat arena sukan di negara kita setanding dengan gergasi-gergasi dunia yang lain, Malaysia secara rasionalnya dilihat sudah mampu menggenggam pingat emas pertama di Sukan Olimpik.

Mungkin benar, tugas menghadiahkan kilauan emas pertama itu amat sukar, apatah lagi atlet-atlet negara terpaksa bersaing dengan bintang-bintang terbaik dunia dari negara lain, namun hakikatnya semua itu tidak mustahil untuk dilakukan.

Pelaburan besar kerajaan dalam pemba- ngunan sukan negara ketika ini sepatutnya sudah memberi pulangan berbaloi yang boleh menjadi kebanggaan rakyat Malaysia.

Dengan pelbagai program latihan yang direncanakan dan fasiliti sukan yang disediakan oleh Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) menerusi badan pelaksananya – Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) – ditambah pula dengan kepakaran bidang sains dan peruba- tan sukan yang dimiliki Institut Sukan Negara (ISN), sudah tiba masanya Malaysia menamatkan kemarau emas di London tahun depan.

Kemunculan beberapa atlet Malaysia bertaraf dunia seperti Datuk Lee Chong Wei (badminton) dan Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang (trek berbasikal) serta peningkatan yang memberangsangkan daripada sukan-sukan pilihan seperti memanah, terjun, hoki serta bola sepak – sudah cukup membuktikan bahawa Malaysia sebenarnya memiliki potensi untuk menggegar dunia.

Cuma hanya keazaman dan kekuatan mental (psikologi) sahaja yang menjadi halangannya selain faktor tuah juga mungkin masih lagi belum memihak kepada kontinjen Malaysia.
Ketua Pengarah MSN, Datuk Zolkples Embong (gambar kecil) mengakui bahawa misi untuk merealisasikan pingat emas pertama Malay- sia pada Sukan Olimpik London 2012 ini bergantung kepada ketahanan mental serta kesungguhan atlet itu sendiri apabila turun beraksi di atas gelanggang.

“Saya akui bahawa sebenarnya mempunyai peluang yang cerah untuk memenangi emas pertama di Sukan Olimpik London 2012,” kata Zolkples ketika ditemui Kosmo! baru-baru ini.
“Harapan itu sudah pasti digalas oleh Chong Wei dan Azizulhasni tetapi saya rasa Chong Wei adalah pertaruhan terbaik kita berdasarkan prestasinya ketika ini.

“Namun saya dapati, masalah utama yang kerap dialami oleh atlet kita apabila bertan- ding di temasya atau kejohanan besar seperti Olimpik ialah ketahanan mental mereka yang tersekat.
“Ini termasuk juga Chong Wei, dia memang boleh mengalahkan sesiapa sahaja tetapi apabila berdepan musuh utamanya iaitu Lin Dan, dia seperti terkena badi atau kekuatan mentalnya seperti tersekat.

“Jadi inilah kelemahan dari segi psikologi yang perlu diatasi. Dari segi kesungguhan dan keazaman atlet kita, ia tidak perlu di- ragui atau dipersoalkan lagi kerana saya kenal mereka.

“Mereka memang mempunyai keinginan yang kuat untuk menang dan mengharumkan nama negara di pentas antarabangsa,” jelas beliau lagi.

Setelah gagal di Beijing tiga tahun lalu, Chong Wei masih menjadi taruhan terbaik negara di London nanti meskipun pemain No. 1 dunia itu tewas kepada Lin Dan pada final Kejohanan Dunia 2011 di London, Ahad lalu.

Pemilik Jersi Putih acara keirin Piala Dunia Klasik, Azizulhasni turut berpotensi melakukan kejutan meskipun berdepan jaguh- jaguh Olimpik seperti Chris Hoy dari Britain dan Gregory Bauge (Peran- cis).
Dia juga baru sahaja pulih daripada kece- deraan betisnya yang tertusuk serpihan trek ketika beraksi di Manchester, Februari lepas.

Selain dua jaguh berkelas dunia itu, harapan juga diletakkan ke atas beberapa acara lain yang turut termasuk dalam program Road to London (RTL 2012) meskipun peluang untuk memenangi emas agak tipis.
Setakat ini, atlet dalam program RTL 2012 yang telah berjaya mengesahkan tiket ke Sukan Olimpik 2012 ialah trio memanah yang dibarisi Cheng Chu Sian, Haziq Kama- ruddin dan Khairul Anuar Mohamad serta dua penerjun, Pandelela Rinong serta Bryan Nickson Lomas.

Trio memanah negara layak selepas menduduki tempat kesembilan acara berpasu- kan pada Kejohanan Memanah Dunia di Torino, Itali, manakala Pandelela beraksi cemerlang dalam acara 10 meter platform dan Bryan (3 meter papan anjal pada Kejohanan Akuatik Dunia di Shanghai, China baru-baru ini.
“Skuad memanah masih ada beberapa lagi kejohanan penting dan pada bulan September ini mereka akan beraksi pada Pusingan keempat Piala Dunia di Shanghai.

“Bagi bulan Oktober pula, mereka ada temasya ujian Olimpik di London sebelum beraksi pada Sukan SEA di Indonesia, November depan.

“Pada masa yang sama, pasukan memanah wanita juga sedang cuba untuk melayakkan diri ke Sukan Olimpik, walaupun bukan dalam program RTL 2012, namun kami tetap hantar mereka,” jelas Zolkples.
Bagi acara terjun, walaupun Pandelela dan Bryan telah mengesahkan tiket ke London, namun kontinjen Malaysia masih cuba untuk memastikan dua lagi atlet dalam program RTL 2012 iaitu Leong Mun Yee dan Yeoh Ken Nee turut beraksi pada temasya Olimpik kali ini.

“Mereka masih ada beberapa peluang dalam pusingan kelayakan. Pada September nanti, kita akan menganjurkan Kejo- hanan Akuatik Piala Asia di Kuala Lumpur.
“Jadi harapnya mereka berdua boleh menggunakan kesempatan bermain di tempat sendiri ini untuk mengesahkan tempat ke Olimpik.

“Selain itu kita juga mengharapkan keempat-empat penerjun ini layak dalam acara terjun serentak kerana mereka juga bagus dalam acara itu.

“Namun saya rasa peluang mereka untuk menang pingat agak sukar kerana setiap negara boleh menghantar dua atlet atau pasangan dalam satu acara. Oleh itu China pasti mendominasi acara ini sekali lagi,” ujarnya lagi.
Dalam acara badminton pula, selain Chong Wei dan beregu utama negara, Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong, Zolkples menjelaskan, Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) juga telah menambah satu lagi sa- saran pingat iaitu gangsa ke atas pasangan Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying bagi beregu campuran.

Peningkatan mendadak yang ditunjukkan pasangan muda itu sejak kebelakangan ini telah meningkatkan keyakinan bahawa acara tersebut mampu menyumbang pingat, dengan syarat ia dimantapkan lagi dalam masa kurang 12 bulan menjelang temasya di London.

“Dalam acara badminton, kita masih mempertaruhkan Chong Wei, Kien Keat/Boon Heong dan beregu wanita Wong Pei Tty/Chin Eei Hui, namun kita menambah satu lagi sasaran iaitu gandingan muda beregu campuran, Peng Soon dan Liu Ying.

“Tindakan menyenaraikan Peng Soon/Liu Ying dalam program RTL 2012 juga adalah keputusan yang tepat kerana pasangan itu mula menunjukkan kemajuan besar dengan menjadi beregu campuran Malaysia pertama merangkul gelaran Terbuka iaitu pada Terbuka Thailand 2009.

“Mereka turut cemerlang apabila menjuarai Kejohanan Asia 2010 dan muncul finalis Grand Prix (GP) Emas Terbuka Malaysia yang menawarkan mata kelaya- kan Sukan Olimpik

“Mereka menunjukkan peningkatan besar dalam usia yang masih muda dan kalau mereka terus berusaha keras dalam tempoh 12 bulan menjelang temasya London, saya percaya agak realistik untuk kita meletakkan sasaran pingat kepada mereka,” jelasnya.

Dalam acara trek berbasikal pula, Zolkples memberitahu, peningkatan pelumba-pelumba endurance seperti Mohd. Adiq Hussainie Othman dan Mohd. Harrif Salleh serta pelumba wanita, Fatehah Mustapa juga berpeluang untuk mengiringi kayuhan Azizul- hasni ke London.

“Kalau dulu kita hanya ada Azizulhasni sahaja dalam acara pecut dan keirin, namun ketika ini peningkatan prestasi Adiq dan Harriff dalam trek endurance turut mencerahkan peluang mereka mengutip mata.
“Begitu juga dengan prestasi pelumba wanita kita, Fatehah Mustapa. Malah ketua jurulatih basikal negara, John Beasley turut meletakkan sasaran pingat ke atasnya di London, namun semuanya bergantung kepada percaturannya nanti,” tambah Zol- kples.

Selain itu, ada dua lagi sukan yang bakal menghadapi pusingan kelayakan Olimpik 2012 iaitu skuad bola sepak bimbingan Ong Kim Swee dan juga skuad hoki kendalian Tai Beng Hai.
“Kali terakhir kita (skuad bola sepak) layak ke Olimpik ialah 31 tahun lalu pada 1980 di Munich, Jerman. Namun kali ini skuad muda kita berjaya mara ke pusingan ketiga Kelayakan Olimpik 2012 Zon Asia.
“Jadi semua ini bergantung kepada keputusan dan prestasi skuad Ong Kim Swee itu yang ketika ini sedang mengadakan lat ihan dan perlawanan ujian di Slovakia selama sebulan.

“Buat masa ini saya lihat prestasi mereka agak baik apabila menang tiga kali serta kalah sekali.
“Skuad hoki pula akan menjalani pering- kat kelayakan Olimpik pada awal tahun depan dan semua ini masih belum ditentu- kan lagi dalam kumpulan mana mereka akan diundi.
“Namun mereka baru saja selesai menja- lani lima perlawanan persahabatan dengan Jepun dan akan menyertai Trofi Juara- Juara I di Ordos, China pada September depan,” jelasnya.

Skuad hoki negara terpaksa mengharungi pusingan kelayakan apabila terlepas slot automatik ke London apabila tumpas 0-2 kepada Pakistan pada final temasya Sukan Asia 2010 di Guangzhou, China.

Ketika kontinjen Malaysia mula memberi fokus memburu emas sulung di pentas Olimpik, antara masalah yang bakal dihadapi atlet Malaysia di London nanti ialah temasya itu berlangsung pada bulan Ramadan.

Justeru, Zolkples menasihati agar setiap atlet negara yang sudah layak ke London membiasakan diri terlebih dulu dengan latihan dan ujian dalam keadaan berpuasa tahun ini sebagai persiapan bagi temasya Olimpik tahun depan.

Oleh SHAHRIL NIZAM ABDULLAH
shahril@kosmo.com.my
KOSMO

Apa prospek badminton pada Olimpik London?

2011-08-17T11:59:00.002+08:00

DARIPADA 77 atlet yang dipilih berada dalam Program Road to London 2012, terdapat 8 pemain badminton.

Selain daripada badminton, sukan lumba basikal, terjun, memanah, menembak, bola sepak dan hoki juga disenaraikan.

Daripada senarai yang dinamakan ini kita boleh memahami bahawa Road to London bukan lagi hanya diisi oleh atlet yang mempunyai prospek memenangi pingat khususnya pingat emas.
Namun ia dilebarkan bidangnya dengan memasukkan juga sukan yang lebih fokus untuk layak bertanding pada sukan berkenaan.

Sukan ini ialah bola sepak dan hoki yang masing- masing dianggotai oleh seramai 25 orang pemain. Kedua-dua sukan ini lebih menjurus kepada usaha melayakkan diri dan keupayaan memenangi pingat saya kira bukan menjadi tujuan utama walaupun ia mungkin berlaku.

Datuk Lee Chong Wei dianggap mempunyai peluang yang paling baik untuk memenangi acara perseorangan Kejohanan Dunia yang berlangsung di London minggu lalu.

Beliau digambarkan akan berjaya menamatkan penantian 34 tahun serta menjadi pemain pertama negara menjuarai kejohanan tersebut. Selain daripada menjadi juara Olimpik, Kejohanan Dunia adalah dua pertandingan utama yang masih belum menjadi miliknya.

Sebagai mana yang diketahui beliau gagal mengalahkan lawan utamanya Lin Dan dalam tiga permainan.
Kita boleh mententeramkan perasaan kita dengan mengatakan bahawa jurang di antara Lin Dan dengan Lee Chong Wei sudah berjaya dirapatkan. Dalam sukan, ia tidak memberi apa-apa makna kerana pokoknya juara dunia masih lagi belum berjaya dimiliki oleh jaguh badminton negara kita.

Lee Chong Wei telah menukar jurulatihnya dan telah memenangi hampir semua kejohanan badminton yang disertainya pada tahun ini. Kejayaan tersebut seolah - olah mengiyakan bahawa tindakannya meninggalkan Misbun adalah tepat sekali kerana Misbun dikatakan gagal membawa anak didiknya memenangi kejohanan utama iaitu Sukan Olimpik dan Kejohanan Dunia.

Sebenarnya Lee Chong Wei patut berterima kasih kepada Lin Dan kerana tidak bertanding dalam semua kejohanan yang ada. Ini membolehkannya menjadi juara dan memungut hadiah wang tunai yang lumayan.
Sistem pengurusan di negara China membolehkan Lin Dan memilih kejohanan yang hendak disertainya tanpa merugikan beliau dari segi imbuhan kewangan.

Di negara kita Lee Chong Wei akan kehilangan wang hadiah kemenangan kalau beliau tidak menyertai kejohanan yang terdapat dalam kalendar badminton dunia oleh kerana negara kita tidak memberi apa-apa imbuhan gantian sekiranya beliau tidak menyertai pertandingan tersebut.

UTUSAN MALAYSIA

Emas Olimpik Koo-Tan masih relevan

2011-08-17T11:58:00.002+08:00

Koo Kien Keat (kanan) dan Tan Boon Heong masih menjadi harapan BAM untuk meraih pingat emas Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London.

KUALA LUMPUR - Ketika ramai yang sudah berputus asa dengan potensi Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong untuk meraih pingat emas Sukan Olimpik 2012, Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) yakin, beregu utama negara itu masih relevan untuk diletak sasaran emas, malah gandingan mereka tidak akan dipecahkan.
Desas desus mulai timbul bahawa perpecahan beregu dijangka berlaku ekoran prestasi mengecewakan pasangan negara pada Kejohanan Dunia di London, minggu lalu, yang mana Kien Keat-Boon Heong tersingkir di suku akhir, Mohd. Zakry Latif-Hoon Thien How kandas di pusingan kedua manakala Chan Peng Soon-Lim Khim Wah hanya sempat beraksi di pusingan pertama.

Setiausaha Agung BAM, Ng Chin Chai mengakui, beregu lelaki negara gagal mencapai sasaran badan induk badminton itu dan ia senario membimbangkan dalam menghadapi temasya London tahun depan, namun beliau percaya tindakan drastik seperti memecah gandingan bukan penyelesaian terbaik masalah.

"Saya akui, Kien Keat dan Boon Heong memang mempunyai masalah ketika ini, mereka kurang pantas dan tidak bertenaga jika dibandingkan pasangan utama China atau Korea tetapi itu tidak bermakna mereka kena dipecahkan untuk mencari tenaga baru, ini idea yang tidak logik.

"Sekarang kita tidak patut bercakap tentang memecahkan pasangan kerana tempoh kelayakan sedang berlangsung dan Olimpik sudah semakin hampir, kita kena berbincang, mencari jalan serta bersatu untuk cuba memperbaiki segala kelemahan yang ada, saya belum melihat jalan buntu.

"Pada saya, Kien Keat dan Boon Heong masih relevan untuk diberi sasaran pingat emas. Mereka masih antara pasangan terbaik dunia dan boleh menjadi lebih baik lagi kalau kita dapat segera mengatasi masalah,'' kata Chin Chai.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong jelas berada selangkah di belakang pasangan Korea Selatan, Ko Sung-hyun-Yoo Yeon-seong ketika tumpas 17-21, 13-21 di suku akhir, namun Chin Chai percaya, jurang antara dua beregu itu sebenarnya tidak terlalu kritikal.

Zakry-Thien How pula tumpas 24-26, 14-21 kepada pasangan Taiwan, Fang Chieh Min-Lee Sheng Mu di pusingan kedua, persembahan yang disifatkan Chin Chai 'masih mempunyai harapan' dan satu peningkatan baik.

"Saya, Rexy (Mainaky) dan Datuk James (Selvaraj) telah mengadakan perbincangan mengenai prestasi pasangan negara ketika berada di London, namun butiran perbincangan itu hanya akan kami beritahu dalam laporan penuh kepada BAM nanti.

"Bagaimanapun saya beri jaminan, kami tidak gembira dengan perkembangan di London, oleh itu tindakan serius akan diambil untuk memperbaiki keadaan. Kami sedar, sesuatu harus dibuat bermula dari sekarang,'' kata Chin Chai.

Perubahan format kelayakan Sukan Olimpik, yang menyaksikan hanya 16 pasangan terbaik mendapat jaminan tiket ke temasya 27 Julai hingga 12 Ogos 2012 itu menyaksikan persaingan merebut tempat sangat kompetitif.

Selain pasangan No. 4 dunia, Kien Keat-Boon Heong, ada tiga lagi beregu negara yang berada dalam kedudukan untuk menempatkan diri iaitu Mohd. Fairuzizuan Tazari-Ong Soon Hock (18), Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen (24) dan Mohd. Zakry Abdul Latif-Thien How (25).

UTUSAN MALAYSIA

Cycling: Rizal eyes Olympics via BMX racing

2011-08-09T11:57:00.000+08:00

THERE'S still a chance Road to London Programme dropout Rizal Tisin might make it into next year's Olympic Games but that will depend on a seemingly uninterested Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF).

The former 1km time trial Asian champion and World Championships bronze medallist will have no problems quitting track cycling to focus on BMX racing full time should there be support for riders in that programme to qualify.

Having been recently dropped from the Road to London programme, Rizal is still in with a realistic chance of making the Olympics through the BMX route.

The Olympic qualification format for BMX racing is simple, done entirely via the coming BMX World Championships in Birmingham next May.
All Malaysia need to do is hold a national championship and the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) will have to fill a quota of three men and three women based on the results of the national meet as the country's representation at the world meet.

"The problem is not whether we want to do it. There isn't much interest in getting the BMX team under a proper programme," said Rizal.

Rizal said apart from himself, Mohd Elmi Jumari and Mohd Aim Mohd Fauzi are keen on pursuing more serious attempts at qualifying for the Olympics.

"If there is the support, for sure we have no problem giving our commitment towards this," said Rizal.

"We have asked MNCF BMX committee chairman Ibrahim Mustapha about this, but he has not given us any positive indications."

Ibrahim, when contacted, said the federation had been evaluating the performances of the BMX team in races in Singapore, South Korea and the recent Asian Championships in China.

"Based on the performances, the riders have a long way to go. That's why we will have to evaluate them again based on performances in the Sea Games," said Ibrahim.

"We don't even have sufficient facilities yet for the riders to train. We've just started having races this year on a track in Malacca, which is far from the level of tracks at international level.

"There's still a lot to be done. But firstly, we want to see how the riders perform."

Read more: NST

Chong Wei ‘jatuh hati’ di Bath

2011-08-02T09:35:00.002+08:00

CHONG Wei berhasrat mahu berlatih di tempat sama bagi persiapan Olimpik 2012.

Jaguh negara sedia fokus ke arah kejuaraan dunia di Arena Wembley

LEE Chong Wei sudah mula ‘jatuh hati’ kepada pusat latihan di Universiti Bath yang terletak di barat daya England selepas menyepikan diri, tahun lalu bagi misi Kejohanan Badminton Dunia.

Pemain nombor satu dunia itu bakal mengetuai cabaran skuad negara di Arena Wembley, London yang bermula pada 8 hingga 14 Ogos ini sudah pun mula menjalani latihan intensif di Pusat Latihan Sukan Prestasi Tinggi (PLPT) itu sejurus tiba, Rabu lalu sehingga mereka bertolak ke London, Khamis ini.

Pengurus Besar BAM, Kenny Goh berkata semua pemain di situ turut diselia lapan pegawai Institut Sains Sukan Negara (ISN) dan juga dua tukang masak.

“Laporan yang saya terima ada menyebut semua pemain berpuas hati dengan kemudahan dan perkhidmatan disediakan di universiti itu. Chong Wei sudah bersuara mahu berlatih di tempat yang sama bagi persiapan Olimpik 2012 nanti,” katanya, semalam.

Kenny berkata lapan pegawai ISN - kebanyakan fisioterapi dan jurulatih fizikal banyak membantu skuad negara disamping dengan juadah cita rasa Malaysia disediakan tukang masak yang dibawa khas.

“Mereka gembira apabila dapat menjalan latihan tanpa ada gangguan dan dapat memberi fokus sepenuhnya. Pada sebelah malam pula, mereka dapat membuat perbincangan dan membuat analisis video perlawanan,” katanya.

Selain Chong Wei yang akan cuba merangkul gelaran dunia pertama buatnya, skuad badminton negara yang menjalani latihan di Universiti Bath ialah Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Hoon Thien How, Chan Peng Soon-Lim Khim Wah, Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, Ng Hui Lin-Ng Hui Ern, Ong Jian Guo-Sabrina Chong dan Goh Liu Ying (yang akan digandingkan dengan Peng Soon dalam beregu campuran).

Seorang lagi pemain perseorangan negara, Wong Choong Hann berlepas ke London, Jumaat ini.

BERITA HARIAN

Biasakan beraksi dalam bulan puasa

2011-08-02T09:18:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR - Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Datuk Zolkples Embong mengajak atlet negara yang sudah layak ke Sukan Olimpik London membiasakan diri terlebih dulu dengan latihan dan ujian bertanding dalam bulan puasa tahun ini, memandangkan temasya 2012 turut akan berlangsung pada Ramadan.

Katanya, ia terpulang kepada atlet berkenaan sama ada mahu meneruskan puasa mereka apabila beraksi di pentas Olimpik nanti walaupun beliau secara peribadi menganggap bersukan juga satu perjuangan dan ada ketikanya ibadat itu dibolehkan untuk digantikan pada waktu lain.

Atlet Muslim dari negara Islam termasuk Malaysia bakal bertanding dalam keadaan diri mereka turut berpuasa memandangkan Sukan Olimpik London 2012 berlangsung dari 27 Julai hingga 12 Ogos, ketika rukun Islam ketiga itu dijalani umat Islam di seluruh dunia bagi tahun 1433 Hijrah dari 20 Julai hingga 18 Ogos.

"Sepatutnya ia tidak akan menjadi masalah besar jika kita membiasakan diri dengan mencuba terlebih dulu latihan pada bulan puasa ini. Sebagai langkah awal, dua pemanah yang telah layak ke Olimpik London, Haziq Kamaruddin dan Khairul Anuar Mohammad kini diarah supaya melakukannya.

"Saya rasa bersukan ketika berpuasa juga mampu menjadikan atlet lebih fokus kepada aksi mereka di gelanggang. Bukan atlet Malaysia sahaja yang terlibat dalam Olimpik ketika bulan puasa tahun depan bahkan ramai lagi dari negara Arab dan Islam lain yang akan turut mengalaminya.

"Namun ia masih jadi hak masing-masing untuk terus berpuasa atau tidak apabila bertanding nanti. Cuma kita mungkin menasihatkan supaya mereka lebihkan pengambilan air ketika bersahur bagi mencegah dehidrasi (kehilangan banyak cecair daripada badan) sehingga mudah keletihan," katanya.

Haziq dan Khairul Anuar merupakan dua atlet negara yang menempah tiket ke Olimpik 2012 di samping Cheng Chu Sian menerusi pencapaian pada Kejohanan Memanah Dunia di Turin, Itali, bulan lalu.
Dua lagi slot daripada sukan terjun, Pandelela Rinong Pamg dan Bryan Nickson Lomas.

Sebelum ini beberapa atlet negara yang beragama Islam beraksi pada Paralimpik Ke-13 di Beijing, China 2008 dan Sukan Olimpik Belia Pertama di Singapura, tahun lalu yang turut berlangsung dalam bulan Ramadan selain bakal ke Sukan Universiti Dunia di Shenzhen, China dari 12 hingga 23 Ogos ini.

UTUSAN MALAYSIA

Pandelela And Mun Yee Hope To Qualify For 10m Platform Synchronized Diving On Merit

2011-08-02T09:12:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysian divers Pandelela Rinong and Leong Mun Yee hope to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics 10m Platform Synchronized diving on merit, to enhance Malaysia's medal chances.

Though Pandelela has already qualified for the Olympics in the 10m Platform individual event, she hopes to feature in the 10m Platform Synchronized as well, with her partner Mun Yee who has yet to qualify.

The duo will have a great opportunity to do so at the FINA Diving World Cup in London, early next year.

Pandelela, 18, who qualified for the London Olympics after finishing among the top 12 divers in the world at the FINA World Diving Championships in Shanghai, China last week, admitted that she and Mun Yee were determined to qualify for the Olympics since it would further boost chances of winning medals in London.

She expressed confidence that her partner Mun Yee, 27, would surpass the qualifying mark to earn a ticket to London.

"Our chances of winning a medal is better in the 10m platform Synchronized diving compared with my favourite event, the 10m Platform individual, since China will only be sending one pair compared with the individual event where we will have to compete against two Chinese divers.

"We have to seize the opportunity to qualify for the 10m Platform Synchronized event. If not it will hamper of medal hopes," Pandelela told Bernama when met in Bukit Jalil today.

Pandelela who will be competing in her second Olympics after having featured in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said the divers from China would be the main obstacle in London.

"Diving is a subjective sport but China have a firm monopoly in the men and women competitions. With such a reputation, they will always be able to influence the jury and may have a slight advantage over others.

The Sarawakian who will be making her debut at the World University Games (Universiade) in Shenzhen, China later this month said she has not set any specific target for the Universiade.

After the Universiade, she would continue her training under Chinese coach Yang Zhu Liang, to prepare for the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia in November.

-- BERNAMA

Olympic medals unveiled to the world

2011-07-28T12:31:00.000+08:00

The London 2012 Olympic medals were unveiled tonight by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal and London 2012 Organising Committee Chair Seb Coe at an event in Trafalgar Square to mark one year to go to the Olympic Games.

The London 2012 Olympic medals, designed by British artist David Watkins.

IOC President Jacques Rogge and IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald were also present at the special ceremony.

The medals will be produced in Britain and have been designed by British artist David Watkins, who is an established artist in the field of decorative art.

When creating the brief, the Victory Ceremonies team of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) worked closely with the British Museum’s Keeper of Coins and Medals, Philip Attwood, to look at the symbolic history of medals in Europe in the last century. The LOCOG Athletes’ Committee, chaired by Olympic gold medallist Jonathan Edwards, was also heavily involved in its development.
Following the initial tender, six artists were selected for the second stage of design and development. Based on their work, the panel – which comprised experienced creative leaders and sports personalities – felt that David Watkins' design for the London 2012 Olympic medals held a narrative that befitted the athletes achievements.
The medals' circular form is a metaphor for the world. The front of the medal always depicts the same imagery at the summer Games – the Greek Goddess of Victory, Nike, stepping out of the depiction of the Parthenon to arrive in the Host City.

The design for the reverse features five symbolic elements:

The curved background implies a bowl similar to the design of an amphitheatre.
The core emblem is an architectural expression, a metaphor for the modern City, and is deliberately jewel-like.
The grid suggests both a pulling together and a sense of outreach – an image of radiating energy that represents the athletes' efforts.
The River Thames in the background is a symbol for London and also suggests a fluttering baroque ribbon, adding a sense of celebration.
The square is the final balancing motif of the design, opposing the overall circularity of the design, emphasising its focus on the centre and reinforcing the sense of 'place' as in a map inset.

David Watkins said of his design: ‘It is exciting to think that the finest athletes in the world will be wearing my medal design next summer. Its key symbols juxtapose, front and back, the goddess Nike for the spirit and tradition of the Games, and the River Thames for the city of London. I hope the medal will be enjoyed and treasured as a record of great personal achievements in 2012.'

Seb Coe, LOCOG Chair, said: 'I hope that seeing the design of the London 2012 Olympic medals will be a source of inspiration for the thousands of athletes around the world who are counting down the year before they compete at the greatest show on earth. All of our preparations are focused on ensuring the athletes are at the heart of the Games, and I believe that through this rigorous process the panel of experts have selected an artist and a design for medals that all athletes would be proud to own.'

IOC President Jacques Rogge added: ‘Highlighting the effort and achievement of the athletes, as well as the city where the Games are held, these beautiful medals will be a fitting reward for the Olympic medallists of 2012. It is the pinnacle of a sporting career to become an Olympic champion but I am confident that receiving one of these medals will make it all the more special in London next year. Congratulations to LOCOG for creating a design that will inspire the Olympians of 2012.’

The ore for the medals is supplied by London 2012 sponsor Rio Tinto and is mined at Rio Tinto’s Kennecott Utah Copper Mine near Salt Lake City in America, as well as from the Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia. The medals will go into production later this year at Royal Mint’s headquarters in Llantrisant, South Wales.

The design of the London 2012 Paralympic medals will be released later this year.

-

London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG)

Diver Bryan springs into action and lands a spot in the Olympics

2011-07-22T09:03:00.002+08:00

SHANGHAI: A Malaysian made the breakthrough to qualify for the men’s 3m springboard individual final at the World Championships in Shanghai at the Oriental Sports Centre yesterday and in the process earned an early ticket for the London Olympics next year.

However, it was not seasoned diver Yeoh Ken Nee but Bryan Nickson Lomas who achieved the feat of being the first Malaysian springboard diver to claim a place in a World Championships final.
The 21-year-old from Sarawak was even bleeding from his nose half-way through the preliminaries of the men’s 3m springboard in the morning but that did not stop him.

A quick treatment and he was back in action as he slogged his way through to amass 426.75 points to enter the semi-finals as the 11th best qualifier.

The top-18 divers from the preliminaries advanced to the semi-finals where six are eliminated for the final.
The 12 divers in the final will all automatically qualify for the London Olympics.

Ken Nee did not do well in the preliminaries and eventually fizzled out at 25th spot with 385.89 points.
And in the semi-finals, Bryan delivered a more composed performance throughout the six-dive routine to finish 10th with 442.70 points.

Bryan can certainly hold his head high with his efforts as he joined reigning Olympic champion He Chong and Qin Kai as the Asian representatives in the men’s 3m springboard individual final today.
Qin Kai pipped his Chinese team-mate He Chong as the top qualifier for the final yesterday, chalking 523.50 against He Chong’s total of 523.25.

Bryan surprised even himself by qualifying for the men’s springboard final by not focusing on the discipline.
“As everyone know, I am concentrating on the 10m platform individual. I’m pleased with my performance in the springboard as I remained consistent despite having a nosebleed. I had this problem sometimes if my body is a bit heaty.

“But it stopped after that. I never expected to win a place in the Olympics through the world championships today.
“Even the two good Japanese divers (Sho Sasaki and Ken Terauchi) were doing well in the preliminaries but they did not execute their last dives well and missed out.

“I’m pleased with how things turned out and moreover, this is my first participation in springboard events at a world championships.

“My coach has told me to forget about the pressure and just go out and complete the final tomorrow,” said Bryan, who also made the final at the last world meet in Rome two years ago but in his pet platform event.

THE STAR

Aquatics: Bryan gets his London ticket

2011-07-22T08:56:00.001+08:00

Malaysia’s Bryan Nickson competes in the 3-metre springboard semi-final in the World Championships in Shanghai yesterday. — AFP picture

DIVER Bryan Nickson Lomas will join Pandelela Rinong at next year's London Olympics after he qualified for the men's 3m springboard final at the World Aquatic Championships in Shanghai yesterday. Bryan, 21, collected a total of 442.70 points to finish 10th in the semi-finals after initially dropping to 15th when he only managed to score 64.35 on his third dive.

Bryan, however, pulled his way back into the top 12 with scores of 78.75, 78.20 and 76.50 in his remaining attempts to make the cut for the final.

The top 12 divers from yesterday's semi-finals qualified for the London Olympics and the event will be Bryan's third appearance at the Games after competing in 2004 in Athens and in 2008 in Beijing.
Pandelela finished out of the medals but managed a respectable fifth in the women's 10m platform final. The 18-year-old was briefly placed third after her first dive which scored 76.50 but was let down by her next two dives of 68.15 and 57.60 which saw her drop to sixth.

Her last two dives, which both scored 76.80, saw her finish fifth overall with a total of 355.85 points.

Pandelela, who is not at her best after injuring her lower back in training, has already qualified for the Olympics by making the final of the event.

Today will also see Cheong Jun Hoong and Ng Yan Yee compete in the women's 3m springboard preliminaries.

Read more: NST

Giliran Bryan sahkan tiket Olimpik

2011-07-22T08:49:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR - Tiada kejutan seperti yang diharapkan daripada ratu terjun negara, Pandelela Rinong untuk melakar sejarah meraih pingat acara 10m platform pada Kejohanan Akuatik Dunia di Shanghai, semalam.

Namun ia ditebus dengan khabar gembira Bryan Nickson Lomas mencipta sejarah menjadi penerjun pertama negara layak ke peringkat akhir acara 3m papan anjal lelaki.

Pada saingan separuh akhir semalam, Bryan berjaya menempatkan diri di ranking ke-10, sekali gus mengiringi 11 pencabar lain untuk bertanding pada peringkat akhir esok.

Ini bermakna Bryan mengesahkan slot ke Olimpik London tahun depan, biarpun acara kegemarannya adalah platform, bukannya papan anjal.

Penerjun veteran, Yeoh Ken Nee yang disandarkan harapan dalam acara ini, tersingkir seawal pusingan saringan apabila sekadar menamatkan saingan di tempat ke-25.
Bryan terkejut dengan pencapaiannya semalam kerana dia tidak menumpukan perhatian dalam disiplin tersebut.

"Saya gembira dengan pencapaian ini, lebih-lebih lagi ia merupakan penyertaan pertama dalam disiplin papan anjal pada Kejohanan Dunia.
"Saya tidak jangka mampu menempah tiket ke Olimpik menerusi Kejohanan Dunia. Jurulatih memberitahu supaya saya tidak memberi tekanan pada final esok (hari ini)," ujarnya.

Dalam pada itu, terjunan kurang memberangsangkan pada cubaan ketiga menjejaskan pungutan mata Pandelela, seperti separuh akhir kelmarin.

Pemenang pingat emas Sukan Komanwel itu berkedudukan keempat selepas terjunan kedua, namun mata rendah 57.60 yang diraih pada cubaan berikut menyaksikan rankingnya menjunam.
Dia mencatat 355.85 mata untuk berada di tempat kelima.

UTUSAN MALAYSIA

Pandelela tempah tiket ke Olimpik 2012

2011-07-21T10:19:00.001+08:00

PANDELRELA Rinong melakukan formasi menarik dalam acara terjun 10m platform pada Kejohanan Akuatik Dunia FINA di Shanghai, semalam. - REUTERS

KUALA LUMPUR - Ratu terjun negara, Pandelela Rinong melangkah ke peringkat akhir acara 10 meter platform selepas menamatkan terjunan di tempat keempat pada saingan separuh akhir Kejohanan Akuatik Dunia FINA di Shanghai semalam, sekali gus mengesahkan tiket ke Olimpik tahun depan.

Seramai 12 penerjun terbaik dalam setiap acara individu layak bertanding di temasya sukan terbesar dunia itu.
Bagaimanapun, harapan melihat seorang lagi penerjun muda kita, Traisy Vivien Tukiet yang beraksi dalam acara sama mengiringi Pandelela ke London lebih awal tidak kesampaian setelah menduduki tempat ke-14.

Dalam saingan separuh akhir yang menampilkan 18 penerjun semalam, Pandelela mengumpul 348.70 mata untuk berada di ranking keempat, hanya 16 mata ketinggalan di belakang penyandang juara dunia dua tahun lalu di Rome, Paola Espinosa dari Mexico yang mencatat 366.65 mata di tempat ketiga.

Dua jaguh China, Hu Yadan (403.65 mata) dan Chen Ruolin (385.95 mata) terlalu unggul untuk dicabar dan menguasai dua ranking teratas.

Pandelela, 18, yang akan membuat penampilan kedua Olimpik tahun depan meluahkan rasa gembira dan puas hati kerana buat kali pertamanya dia mengesahkan tiket Olimpik menerusi Kejohanan Dunia.

"Pencapaian kali ini lebih memuaskan kerana saya melayakkan diri lebih awal (untuk Beijing 2008, dia layak menerusi Piala Dunia FINA - kejohanan menawarkan peluang terakhir ke Olimpik).

"Saya beraksi penuh yakin kali ini. Dari awal lagi saya optimis dapat lakukannya di Shanghai," katanya.
Misi gadis Bidayuh itu bagaimanapun masih belum selesai. Dia akan kembali ke kolam renang Pusat Sukan Oriental hari ini dengan misi mahu mencipta sejarah menjadi penerjun pertama Malaysia meraih pingat acara individu pada kejohanan penuh berprestij itu.

UTUSAN MALAYSIA