“SIAPA nama emak awak?”
Sejurus mendengar jawapan, sebuah jarum peniti secara perlahan dimasukkan ke dalam ibu jari kaki penulis.
Sepanjang sesi rawatan ibarat akupuntur itu, jari-jemari Misbun Sidek cukup berhati-hati. Ketika itu beberapa kerat wartawan yang menyertai rombongan pasukan negara menghadapi pusingan kelayakan Piala Thomas di Manila turut menerima rawatan sama di kamarnya.
Peristiwa 10 tahun lalu itu sedikit sebanyak menggambarkan sekilas lalu personaliti Misbun, kini bergelar Datuk.
Beliau bukan sekadar bekas pemain, jurulatih, abang, anak dan mentor. Beliau juga guru, ahli psikologi, pembimbing dan apabila perlu, pengubat duka lara dan pengamal rawatan alternatif.
Disebabkan misteri dan uniknya personaliti Misbun, beliau adalah seorang ikon bagi sukan badminton.
Namun Misbun yang bergelar jurulatih masa kini cukup berbeza dengan Misbun seorang pemain.
Wartawan Berita Harian, Nasir Ahmad, yang membuat liputan kerjaya Misbun selama satu dekad untuk akhbar Utusan Malaysia, menganggap bekas juara kebangsaan itu lebih mesra dan terbuka sesudah persaraannya.
“Misbun seorang yang mudah didekati hanya selepas beliau tidak lagi bermain. Dalam tempoh 10 tahun itu, rasanya saya tidak 'mengenali' siapa Misbun sebenarnya.
“Malah pada ketika itu, adik beradiknya Razif dan Jalani juga 'pening' berdepan dengan karenah Misbun yang lebih selesa tinggal berasingan. Keadaan menjadi lebih rumit untuk berhubung dengannya selepas beliau tewas kepada Liem Swie King pada final Piala Dunia Alba 1982.
“Malah sikap dan kehidupan Misbun bertambah 'misteri' apabila beliau mengambil keputusan untuk menjadi 'anak angkat' kepada seorang tukang urut di Ampang.
“Beliau manusia berbeza setiap hari. Kemesraan hari ini bukan satu jaminan esoknya sama seperti semalam. Perwatakannya sangat sukar difahami.
“Beliau seorang yang sangat tidak selesa kalau tersiar berita-berita yang pada pandangannya sesuatu yang negatif walaupun kita mempunyai tujuan positif.
“Sebagai contoh, apabila beliau tidak lagi bermain untuk Malaysia selepas Piala Thomas 1988, Misbun menimba ilmu pengurusan sukan ke Amerika Syarikat untuk beberapa bulan. Tiba-tiba dia cuba merebut tempat sebagai perseorangan ketiga skuad Piala Thomas 1990.
“Presiden Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) ketika itu, Tan Sri Elyas Omar, mempelawa Misbun yang kebetulan akan kembali ke tanah air pada awal 1990 ketika skuad negara sedang buat persiapan ke pusingan akhir di Tokyo. Saya menunggu Misbun di Lapangan Terbang Subang bersama Allahyarham Datuk Sidek untuk dapat pengesahan daripada mulutnya sendiri.
“Saya terkejut kerana beliau serius menyahut pelawaan Elyas sedangkan beliau sendiri mengaku tidak pernah memegang raket sejak berada di Amerika. Tentunya beliau sukar mengembalikan tahap tertinggi dalam tempoh singkat. Dalam penulisan saya untuk beberapa hari berikutnya, saya menentang kemunculan semula Misbun. Saya tidak sanggup melihat statusnya diperlekeh oleh pemain muda ketika itu, Wong Ewe Mun dan Wong Tat Meng.
“Misbun perlu menewaskan kedua-dua pemain ini dalam perlawanan khas di Genting Highlands untuk mendapat tiket sebagai perseorangan ketiga. Dugaan saya menjadi kenyataan. Misbun kecundang dalam perlawanan itu. Namun untuk menjaga 'air mukanya' BAM tetap menyenaraikan Misbun dalam skuad sebagai 'pegawai khas' ke Tokyo.
“Sejak itu hubungan saya dengannya terus renggang. Malah kami tidak bertegur sapa ketika sama-sama berada di Tokyo hinggalah pada 1992 apabila saya ditugaskan sebagai 'ghost writer' dalam ruangan 'Sekilas Pandang' untuk Berita Harian ketika pusingan akhir Piala Thomas di Kuala Lumpur.
“Sebenarnya, kalau kita perhati betul-betul, Misbun satu-satunya atlit yang seolah-olah 'tidak ada perasaan'. Beliau tidak pernah memberi reaksi seperti mana pemain lain yang akan meraikan kejayaan mereka di gelanggang. Sama ada menang atau kalah, beliau hanya sekadar menadah tangan, bersalam dengan lawan dan terus ke bilik persalinan.
“Sama ada pelik, misteri atau apa saja yang ingin ditafsirkan oleh peminat dan wartawan, Misbun mempunyai watak yang mampu menarik ribuan penonton.”
Daya tarikan tersendiri ini menjadikan Misbun duta jenama Sidek yang popular. Pada usia 24 tahun, dua tahun selepas Misbun menerima penghormatan selaku Olahragawan Kebangsaan, beliau dilamar International Management Group (IMG), sebuah badan yang mengurus atlit secara profesional.
Kerjayanya penuh warna warni. Diselang-seli dengan gaya rambut yang berbeza, sekejap dibiarkan kerinting afro, sekejap ala Mohican dan sekejap berjalur kuning di tengah, Misbun menjadi impian penaja yang mahukan keunikan, perbezaan dan ketrampilan.
Karisma seperti ini bukan mudah dicari. Di kalangan atlit negara masa kini, tiada seorangpun yang mampu menonjolkan imej lain daripada yang lain. Kelainan ini yang mampu menaikkan imej sesuatu sukan itu.
Sumbangannya selaku jurulatih juga unik. Bagi wartawan yang selalu mengerumuni Misbun, mereka tidak perlu bersusah-payah memikirkan angle. Dengan caranya tersendiri, Misbun gemar mengalunkan kata-kata penuh falsafah , diselit dengan analogi dan maksud yang tersirat.
Selain mencarta kejayaan Datuk Lee Chong Wei merangkul pingat perak perseorangan lelaki di Sukan Olimpik Beijing, Misbun juga pernah membimbang adiknya, Rashid, meraih gangsa di Atlanta 1996.
Misbun juga bertanggungjawab membawa Muhammad Hafiz Hashim merangkul gelaran Seluruh England 2003, selain melonjakkan Roslin Hashim sebagai pemain perseorangan lelaki nombor satu dunia pada 2001.
Sebagai pemain pula, beliau adalah juara kebangsaan 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986 dan 1987, memenangi emas Sukan SEA Manila 1981, selain pernah menjuarai kejohanan terbuka seperti Terbuka Singapura, Taiwan, Jerman, Sweden dan Kanada.
Misbun juga muncul naib juara Piala Dunia 1982, naib juara Seluruh England 1986 dan membawa cabaran Malaysia ketika muncul naib juara Piala Thomas 1988.
Nasir membuat kesimpulan yang tepat bagi menggambarkan Misbun.
“Misbun tidak dilahirkan sebagai juara tetapi lebih kepada seorang penghibur. Tindakannya mempelbagaikan gaya rambut, memakai sarung berlainan warna pada satu masa, berjoging di tengah hari dan tengah malam, menjadikan Misbun seorang 'juara' di hati peminatnya.”
Nasir Ahmad - Utusan Malaysia
Rabu, 15 April 2009
Isnin, 9 Mac 2009
Gong Zhichao: The Striking Player
Gong Zhi Chao: The Striking Player
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the beginning of 1997, when people had just heard of her name, not even knowing how she looks like, Gong Zhi Chao had already earned the Swedish Open title, Japan Open, Korean Open and the All-England Open runner-up titles to her name. She created the fastest rise in the history of International Ladies Singles' World Rankings.
"Who is Gong Zhi Chao? Where does she come from?", people would ask each other.
1
Born on the 15 of December, 1977, in Hunan(China), An Hua City.
Although An Hua City is considered as one of the smallest cities in China, it has managed to produce two badminton world beaters. Two time Uber Cup champion team member Tang Jiuhong, also came from the same city as Gong Zhi Chao. Tang Jiu Hong was Gong Zhi Chao's idol as a teenager.
In 1987, the young badminton player, Gong Zhi Chao, was studying in Xiang Hua Zi Di Primary School. One fine day, she saw her Physical Education teacher playing badminton with his daughter. She observed the small feather shuttlecock as it flew to and fro. Soon enough, she was totally engrossed in it. It was as if the shuttlecock was bekoning her to come forward to try, and the temptation was very great indeed. Finally, she plucked up all the courage she could master and asked, " Can I play too?" Her teacher readily agreed. First, he taught her about the basics, like how to hold the racquet, service etc. Gong Zhi Chao participated excitedlly for the whole afternoon, and this was how she got acquainted with badminton.
In the same year, Gong Zhi Chao was selected into the school's badminton team. Everyday before the break of dawn, she would be woken up by the loud and ear piercing whistle. Under the supervision of Mr.Wen Ju Gang, she would go jogging, then on to attend classes, and after school's dismissal, back to the badminton courts again. Gong Zhi Chao's parents missed her very much, so they would order her elder brother and sister to look out for her in school. On one occasion, Gong Zhi Chao's brother noticed that some blisters had formed on her hands after going through rigour trainings. He immediately went home to tell the family about this, saying that, " San San( Gong Zhi Chao's nickname ) trains really hard until there's blood blisters formed on her hand. I told her to stop playing, but she refused and insisted on carrying on..." Upon hearing this, Gong Zhi Chao's mother was so worried and heart-broken about her dearest youngest daughter. She heard that eating dishes with pork's hand in it not only helps to revive health, and also helps in improving stamina. Though they belong to a humble background, they tried means and ways to earn money to buy the meat for their beloved daughter. So every weekend, when Gong Zhi Chao gets to go home, her mother would never forget to cook "pork's hand" soup for her. On following Mondays, other than bringing back fruits, she would be given two pieces of roasted pork's hand to eat. Gong Zhi Chao's father oftened held her small hand and pat it, telling her in a soothing tone, " Bear with it, you must bear with it...it is like that when you are young. Persevere when young, that's the only way you can success when you grow up. Tang Jiu Hong had to go through all this too..."
Once during training, the coach placed a stool under a basketball post and said, " We are now going to train up the springing strength in our footwork. Stand on the stool and jump up as high as you can, and reach for the net above." After demonstrating, all the trainees immediately got down to doing it. When it came to Gong Zhi Chao's turn, she stood on the stool motionless for a very long time. " Why aren't you jumping?", the coach asked. " I'm a little afraid." she replied timidly. " What is there to be afraid of ?!" Her coach shouted at her with anger in his words. Actually, Gong Zhi Chao herself could not figure out why she was afraid. " If you still don't do this practice, don't think of having dinner tonight, just sit there and watch!" her coach continued to say, this time even louder. After another two rounds or so, the coach waved his hand across the court, " Come and give it a try." So she bit her lips, jumped in a forward motion, touched the net with her right hand, and landed on the ground safely on her feet. " Do it again.", was the coach's encouragement. With that, she repeated the step five times. The more she tried, the more comfortable she felt. Maybe this was her first problem she overcomed on the road to success.
In 1989, Gong Zhi Chao made it into the Hunan Badminton Provincial Team. "Gong Zhi Chao can only grow to about 1.65m at the most, thus not having any advantages on court. I don't think she can go very far this way..." Unintentionally, she overheard one of her coaches saying. Although she had come this far and her skills improved rapidly day by day, she developed a huge mental obstacle. She used to envy all those who was tall and strong in built, and thus made herself more devastated as she was not very tall. However, this problem of hers did not escape the eyes of another coach, Li Fang. Li Fang simply told her, " Indonesia's Susi Susanti has almost the same built as you, yet she is a great player. Why can't you do it when she can?" The quick witted Gong Zhi Chao then realised that being tall is not the only condition to become a good player.At that time, the China National Badminton Competition was going on in Changsha( the capital of Hunan province ). Gong Zhi Chao was the most important player in the team. In many matches, victory depended very much on her. Though there was tremandous pressure, she kept calm and steady. Together with her teammates, they managed to defeat numerous top players. This helped Gong Zhi Chao in regaining her confidence.
In 1992, when Gong Zhi Chao was only 15 years old, her father was seriously ill and had to be hospitallised. Upon receiving the bad news, she rushed back to Zhu Zhou from Changsha. By then, she was only in time to hear her father's last words, " Listen to your mother and be a good girl; Listen to your coach, work hard and play well. I hope you can be part of the China National Team next time and bring back the World Championship title..." Tears filled up her eyes.
2
" To earn a place in the National team, to strive for the World Championship title" became Gong Zhi Chao's dream. Luckily she was not the kind of player who only knew how to dream. She knew that in order to fufill the dream she and her father shared, lots of effort, hard work and sweat had to be put in.
In the year end of 1995, the China Badminton Team held a selection trial in Bejing( the capital of China ). Gong Zhi Chao swept through the competition easily and made her way into the National B Team ( normally for juniors ).
The China Badminton Team oftened held competitions between the A and B team. ( The A team is the group that represents China in international tournaments ) Any player from the B team that manages to beat some quality players from the A team convincingly, would be able to rise up into the A team. This time, Gong Zhi Chao proved to the national coaches all that she was worth. In the middle of 1996, she finally became part of the China National Team( team A ), under the guidence of coach Li Ling Wei.
Gong Zhi Chao has a height of 1.63m and weighs 53kg, therefore being the most duminitive one among the other team members. Some may think that this is a disadvantage to her, but in actual fact, it enables her to move quickly, giving her the full coverage on court. Gong Zhi Chao's nature during matches is to be lively in her movements, steady and go stroke for stroke. She pocesses great mental strength, causing her to fight for every point, no matter whether the score is to her advantage or disadvantage. Normally, she will manupilate her opponent until she finds a loop hole. Then, she will advance in on that particular weak point/s to get hold of the trump card. In several occasions, she fought off her opponents' match points to come back into the game and pulled off the winning point for herself. This goes to show that she is very capable of handling situations in times of anxiety and pressure.
During a badminton competition, players will drain more stamina compared to a soccer player. What is worse is that the style of Gong Zhi Chao's play is even more strenuous. Ever since Li Yong Bo became the head coach of the China Badminton team, he'd make the team members run up a mountain called Xiang Shan Gui Jian Chou in Xi Shan, Beijing, every fortnight. This mountain is about 500 metres above sea level and has a gradient of 50 to 60 degrees.Tourist would take two to three hours walking up, whereas Gong Zhi Chao only needs 18 minutes to run from the bottom to the top of the mountain. She would also take the initiative to run up twice too.
During trainings, Gong Zhi Chao will wear special clothings filled with sand that weighs about 6 kg to do her runnings, jumps, and strokings.Sweat would pour down profusely and make her t-shirt completely soaking wet. But does that matter to her? Of course it does not for a dedicated player like her. All she have to do is to change into yet another one.
To increase her arm strength, Li Ling Wei enjoined Gong Zhi Chao to train a few more sets of what they call " throwing strength ball" everyday. The ball, as heavy as the ones used for shot putting, have to be thrown towards a barrier, for example, a wall. Even during her trips to overseas tournaments, she will never forget to bring one of those balls. No matter whether she is in the hotel or stadium, whether she just won or lost a match, as long as she is free, she will do this exercise till her hand gets totally strained.
3
Incidentally, the hostel room that Gong Zhi Chao is now staying in is exactly the same room as the one Tang Jiu Hong lived in ten years ago.
Before Gong Zhi Chao's entry into the China Badminton team, there were Ye Zhao Ying, Zhang Ning, Yao Yan, Dai Yun, Zeng Ya Qiong, Wang Chen and Han Jing Na that took up only seven places out of the eight places of "immortals" or "fairies". People used to compare them to a Chinese lengendary story " Dong You Ji", in which all the eight fairies originate from. Each of these fairies have their own specialities, and are kind and caring immortals that help all peasants in trouble. Ever since Gong Zhi Chao joined the Chinese team of ladies' singles players, she completed the whole team of "eight fairies". She was the latest to join the team and she is also the youngest and the smallest in size.
Gong Zhi Chao respects her coach, Li Ling Wei, the most, and also look up to all of her "elderly" team mates. Li Ling Wei once said," Looking at Gong Zhi Chao play and being able to be her coach, gives me a sense of happiness and security. Matches that are not to be lost, she will never lose..." But relationaship between she and her teammates is not as close, sad to say. During tournaments, they would fight to their last breath, as it is either "I win you lose, or I lose and you win ", but during meals, they all have to sit on the same table again. Nevertheless, Gong Zhi Chao commented, " If I lose to them, they are my seniors. If I defeat them, they will still remain as my seniors..."
Right now, Gong Zhi Chao shares a room with Zeng Ya Qiong. She bought a 25 inch colour television and a radio to put in her room itself. She and roommate Zeng Ya Qiong shares the same interest: watching drama serials and listening to music during their spare time for relaxation. Music to Gong Zhi Chao is so important that everytime she goes out-station for a tournament, she will bring at least two cassette tapes of favourite singers Tan Yong Lin and Wang Fei( otherwise known as Faye Wong in English ).
Ever since the death of her father, Gong Zhi Chao grew more concern about her family, especially her mother. Every two days, she would make a long distance call to talk to her mother to find out if there is any happenings at home or whether she needs anything else. When abroad, she would try her best to buy little gifts for her family too. Gong Zhi Chao is aware that her mother is a very trifty person, and would not buy spend money for her own sake. Thus, Gong Zhi Chao always buy daily necessities and warm clothings like cardigans, jackets, gloves...etc for her mother. Her mother would always say, " San San, don't always spend money to buy things for me, you should save the money for yourself." Guess what was the reply from Gong Zhi Chao? " When I was young, you'd always give me the best of everything, and I ate so much of your pig's hand dishes too! I should at least do my bit in giving all I can to my mother..." Sometimes during the Chinese New Year, she would play badminton with her brother and sister, as long as they are happy. All this goes to show that Gong Zhi Chao is a very filial girl. All in all, Gong Zhi Chao is a rare player to come by.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the beginning of 1997, when people had just heard of her name, not even knowing how she looks like, Gong Zhi Chao had already earned the Swedish Open title, Japan Open, Korean Open and the All-England Open runner-up titles to her name. She created the fastest rise in the history of International Ladies Singles' World Rankings.
"Who is Gong Zhi Chao? Where does she come from?", people would ask each other.
1
Born on the 15 of December, 1977, in Hunan(China), An Hua City.
Although An Hua City is considered as one of the smallest cities in China, it has managed to produce two badminton world beaters. Two time Uber Cup champion team member Tang Jiuhong, also came from the same city as Gong Zhi Chao. Tang Jiu Hong was Gong Zhi Chao's idol as a teenager.
In 1987, the young badminton player, Gong Zhi Chao, was studying in Xiang Hua Zi Di Primary School. One fine day, she saw her Physical Education teacher playing badminton with his daughter. She observed the small feather shuttlecock as it flew to and fro. Soon enough, she was totally engrossed in it. It was as if the shuttlecock was bekoning her to come forward to try, and the temptation was very great indeed. Finally, she plucked up all the courage she could master and asked, " Can I play too?" Her teacher readily agreed. First, he taught her about the basics, like how to hold the racquet, service etc. Gong Zhi Chao participated excitedlly for the whole afternoon, and this was how she got acquainted with badminton.
In the same year, Gong Zhi Chao was selected into the school's badminton team. Everyday before the break of dawn, she would be woken up by the loud and ear piercing whistle. Under the supervision of Mr.Wen Ju Gang, she would go jogging, then on to attend classes, and after school's dismissal, back to the badminton courts again. Gong Zhi Chao's parents missed her very much, so they would order her elder brother and sister to look out for her in school. On one occasion, Gong Zhi Chao's brother noticed that some blisters had formed on her hands after going through rigour trainings. He immediately went home to tell the family about this, saying that, " San San( Gong Zhi Chao's nickname ) trains really hard until there's blood blisters formed on her hand. I told her to stop playing, but she refused and insisted on carrying on..." Upon hearing this, Gong Zhi Chao's mother was so worried and heart-broken about her dearest youngest daughter. She heard that eating dishes with pork's hand in it not only helps to revive health, and also helps in improving stamina. Though they belong to a humble background, they tried means and ways to earn money to buy the meat for their beloved daughter. So every weekend, when Gong Zhi Chao gets to go home, her mother would never forget to cook "pork's hand" soup for her. On following Mondays, other than bringing back fruits, she would be given two pieces of roasted pork's hand to eat. Gong Zhi Chao's father oftened held her small hand and pat it, telling her in a soothing tone, " Bear with it, you must bear with it...it is like that when you are young. Persevere when young, that's the only way you can success when you grow up. Tang Jiu Hong had to go through all this too..."
Once during training, the coach placed a stool under a basketball post and said, " We are now going to train up the springing strength in our footwork. Stand on the stool and jump up as high as you can, and reach for the net above." After demonstrating, all the trainees immediately got down to doing it. When it came to Gong Zhi Chao's turn, she stood on the stool motionless for a very long time. " Why aren't you jumping?", the coach asked. " I'm a little afraid." she replied timidly. " What is there to be afraid of ?!" Her coach shouted at her with anger in his words. Actually, Gong Zhi Chao herself could not figure out why she was afraid. " If you still don't do this practice, don't think of having dinner tonight, just sit there and watch!" her coach continued to say, this time even louder. After another two rounds or so, the coach waved his hand across the court, " Come and give it a try." So she bit her lips, jumped in a forward motion, touched the net with her right hand, and landed on the ground safely on her feet. " Do it again.", was the coach's encouragement. With that, she repeated the step five times. The more she tried, the more comfortable she felt. Maybe this was her first problem she overcomed on the road to success.
In 1989, Gong Zhi Chao made it into the Hunan Badminton Provincial Team. "Gong Zhi Chao can only grow to about 1.65m at the most, thus not having any advantages on court. I don't think she can go very far this way..." Unintentionally, she overheard one of her coaches saying. Although she had come this far and her skills improved rapidly day by day, she developed a huge mental obstacle. She used to envy all those who was tall and strong in built, and thus made herself more devastated as she was not very tall. However, this problem of hers did not escape the eyes of another coach, Li Fang. Li Fang simply told her, " Indonesia's Susi Susanti has almost the same built as you, yet she is a great player. Why can't you do it when she can?" The quick witted Gong Zhi Chao then realised that being tall is not the only condition to become a good player.At that time, the China National Badminton Competition was going on in Changsha( the capital of Hunan province ). Gong Zhi Chao was the most important player in the team. In many matches, victory depended very much on her. Though there was tremandous pressure, she kept calm and steady. Together with her teammates, they managed to defeat numerous top players. This helped Gong Zhi Chao in regaining her confidence.
In 1992, when Gong Zhi Chao was only 15 years old, her father was seriously ill and had to be hospitallised. Upon receiving the bad news, she rushed back to Zhu Zhou from Changsha. By then, she was only in time to hear her father's last words, " Listen to your mother and be a good girl; Listen to your coach, work hard and play well. I hope you can be part of the China National Team next time and bring back the World Championship title..." Tears filled up her eyes.
2
" To earn a place in the National team, to strive for the World Championship title" became Gong Zhi Chao's dream. Luckily she was not the kind of player who only knew how to dream. She knew that in order to fufill the dream she and her father shared, lots of effort, hard work and sweat had to be put in.
In the year end of 1995, the China Badminton Team held a selection trial in Bejing( the capital of China ). Gong Zhi Chao swept through the competition easily and made her way into the National B Team ( normally for juniors ).
The China Badminton Team oftened held competitions between the A and B team. ( The A team is the group that represents China in international tournaments ) Any player from the B team that manages to beat some quality players from the A team convincingly, would be able to rise up into the A team. This time, Gong Zhi Chao proved to the national coaches all that she was worth. In the middle of 1996, she finally became part of the China National Team( team A ), under the guidence of coach Li Ling Wei.
Gong Zhi Chao has a height of 1.63m and weighs 53kg, therefore being the most duminitive one among the other team members. Some may think that this is a disadvantage to her, but in actual fact, it enables her to move quickly, giving her the full coverage on court. Gong Zhi Chao's nature during matches is to be lively in her movements, steady and go stroke for stroke. She pocesses great mental strength, causing her to fight for every point, no matter whether the score is to her advantage or disadvantage. Normally, she will manupilate her opponent until she finds a loop hole. Then, she will advance in on that particular weak point/s to get hold of the trump card. In several occasions, she fought off her opponents' match points to come back into the game and pulled off the winning point for herself. This goes to show that she is very capable of handling situations in times of anxiety and pressure.
During a badminton competition, players will drain more stamina compared to a soccer player. What is worse is that the style of Gong Zhi Chao's play is even more strenuous. Ever since Li Yong Bo became the head coach of the China Badminton team, he'd make the team members run up a mountain called Xiang Shan Gui Jian Chou in Xi Shan, Beijing, every fortnight. This mountain is about 500 metres above sea level and has a gradient of 50 to 60 degrees.Tourist would take two to three hours walking up, whereas Gong Zhi Chao only needs 18 minutes to run from the bottom to the top of the mountain. She would also take the initiative to run up twice too.
During trainings, Gong Zhi Chao will wear special clothings filled with sand that weighs about 6 kg to do her runnings, jumps, and strokings.Sweat would pour down profusely and make her t-shirt completely soaking wet. But does that matter to her? Of course it does not for a dedicated player like her. All she have to do is to change into yet another one.
To increase her arm strength, Li Ling Wei enjoined Gong Zhi Chao to train a few more sets of what they call " throwing strength ball" everyday. The ball, as heavy as the ones used for shot putting, have to be thrown towards a barrier, for example, a wall. Even during her trips to overseas tournaments, she will never forget to bring one of those balls. No matter whether she is in the hotel or stadium, whether she just won or lost a match, as long as she is free, she will do this exercise till her hand gets totally strained.
3
Incidentally, the hostel room that Gong Zhi Chao is now staying in is exactly the same room as the one Tang Jiu Hong lived in ten years ago.
Before Gong Zhi Chao's entry into the China Badminton team, there were Ye Zhao Ying, Zhang Ning, Yao Yan, Dai Yun, Zeng Ya Qiong, Wang Chen and Han Jing Na that took up only seven places out of the eight places of "immortals" or "fairies". People used to compare them to a Chinese lengendary story " Dong You Ji", in which all the eight fairies originate from. Each of these fairies have their own specialities, and are kind and caring immortals that help all peasants in trouble. Ever since Gong Zhi Chao joined the Chinese team of ladies' singles players, she completed the whole team of "eight fairies". She was the latest to join the team and she is also the youngest and the smallest in size.
Gong Zhi Chao respects her coach, Li Ling Wei, the most, and also look up to all of her "elderly" team mates. Li Ling Wei once said," Looking at Gong Zhi Chao play and being able to be her coach, gives me a sense of happiness and security. Matches that are not to be lost, she will never lose..." But relationaship between she and her teammates is not as close, sad to say. During tournaments, they would fight to their last breath, as it is either "I win you lose, or I lose and you win ", but during meals, they all have to sit on the same table again. Nevertheless, Gong Zhi Chao commented, " If I lose to them, they are my seniors. If I defeat them, they will still remain as my seniors..."
Right now, Gong Zhi Chao shares a room with Zeng Ya Qiong. She bought a 25 inch colour television and a radio to put in her room itself. She and roommate Zeng Ya Qiong shares the same interest: watching drama serials and listening to music during their spare time for relaxation. Music to Gong Zhi Chao is so important that everytime she goes out-station for a tournament, she will bring at least two cassette tapes of favourite singers Tan Yong Lin and Wang Fei( otherwise known as Faye Wong in English ).
Ever since the death of her father, Gong Zhi Chao grew more concern about her family, especially her mother. Every two days, she would make a long distance call to talk to her mother to find out if there is any happenings at home or whether she needs anything else. When abroad, she would try her best to buy little gifts for her family too. Gong Zhi Chao is aware that her mother is a very trifty person, and would not buy spend money for her own sake. Thus, Gong Zhi Chao always buy daily necessities and warm clothings like cardigans, jackets, gloves...etc for her mother. Her mother would always say, " San San, don't always spend money to buy things for me, you should save the money for yourself." Guess what was the reply from Gong Zhi Chao? " When I was young, you'd always give me the best of everything, and I ate so much of your pig's hand dishes too! I should at least do my bit in giving all I can to my mother..." Sometimes during the Chinese New Year, she would play badminton with her brother and sister, as long as they are happy. All this goes to show that Gong Zhi Chao is a very filial girl. All in all, Gong Zhi Chao is a rare player to come by.
Sabtu, 7 Februari 2009
Air Mata Taufik di Pelatnas Cipayung
JAKARTA, KAMIS — Taufik Hidayat mengaku berat harus meninggalkan pelatnas bulu tangkis Cipayung yang sudah didiaminya sejak 1996. "Semoga kepergian saya membuat situasi lebih baik."
Taufik menyerahkan surat pengunduran diri dari pelatnas Cipayung kepada Kabid Pembinaan dan Prestasi PBSI, Lius Pongoh, pada Kamis (29/1) siang. "Saya langsung berpamitan dengan Mas Lius (Pongoh), dengan Koh Chris (Christian Hadinata), dengan kepala asrama, dan para pelayan di pelatnas Cipayung," kata Taufik.
Setelah itu Taufik langsung pulang. Ia mengaku, perasaannya galau meninggalkan tempat yang pernah menjadi tempatnya berlindung selama 12 tahun. Sejak ia masih pemain junior yang datang dari Bandung hingga di puncak dunia saat meraih medali emas di Olimpiade Athena 2004. "Ketika meninggalkan bangunan pelatnas saya berusaha menahan rasa sedih saya. Perasaan itu tidak juga hilang setelah saya sampai di rumah," kata taufik.
Taufik mengenang, pelatnas Cipayung tidak lagi bernuansa sekolah, tetapi lebih suasana keluarga yang guyub. "Yang paling saya ingat tentunya bagaimana saya dikerjain para senior saya," kata Taufik.
Cerita Taufik dikerjain seniornya memang bukan hal baru. Taufik muda selalu dihardik dan diledek para seniornya setiap kali "menyentuh" mobil-mobil milik para senior tersebut. "Heh lu enggak bisa beli tuh barang," kata para senior. Potongan kisah ini menimbulkan dendam dan semangat pada Taufik muda. Setelah berprestasi, Taufik membuktikan dirinya dengan membawa mobil jenis Toyota Alphard ke pelatnas Cipayung.
"Bagi saya itu menjadi kenangan yang indah," kata Taufik. Meski begitu, ia juga memiliki beberapa kenangan pahit yang menurut dia juga dirasakan banyak pemain hingga sekarang.
"Saya kira pengurus sekarang yang baru terpilih harus berubah dibandingkan yang lama. Sekarang komunikasi antara pengurus dan pemain harus lebih terbuka," katanya.
Menurut Taufik, apa yang diinginkan dan dipahami oleh pemain sebenarnya sangat jelas. "Pemain tahunya adalah berlatih, bertanding, dan kemudian dievaluasi. Kalau gagal, ia harus siap untuk kehilangan haknya. Namun kalau berhasil, ia boleh menanyakan haknya," katanya. Hal-hal seperti inilah yang menurut Taufik tidak dilakukan oleh para pengurus dan sudah berlangsung bertahun-tahun di Cipayung.
Taufik pun sebenarnya berharap pengurus juga menghargai para mantan pemain yang sudah tidak lagi di pelatnas. Ia tidak berharap akan ada upacara pelepasan pemain seperti yang pernah dirasakan beberapa pemain, seperti Susy Susanti dan Alan Budi Kusuma. "Tetapi ketika Flandy (Limpele) keluar dari pelatnas, apakah ada acara pelepasan? Kalau pun mau diadakan ya harus dari mereka. Bukan kami dong yang minta," kata Taufik lagi. Untuk pemian sekelas Taufik, upacara semacam ini tentunya layak diadakan.
Meski berkali-kali memuji peran PBSI terhadap perkembangan kariernya, Taufik tidak bisa menutupi bahwa ada masalah antara dirinya dan para pengurus. "Saya kira friksi itu biasa. Di sini kan terdiri dari banyak orang, ada dari Jawa, Sunda, dan lain-lain. Saya hanya berharap semoga kepergian saya membuat situasi menjadi lebih baik."
Sekali lagi, Taufik mencoba hanya mengingat hal-hal yang baik dari Cipayung. Begitu pun ia minta semua orang mengingat hal yang baik tentang dirinya. "Jangan melulu dilihat konflik saya dengan banyak pihak. Tetapi ingatlah saya karena prestasi saya di olimpiade, kejuaraan dunia, dan yang lainnya. Karena itulah saya ingin mundur selagi saya masih di puncak. Saya tidak ingin dikasihani atau dilupakan orang."
Taufik tidak merasakan kedua hal itu ketika melangkah meninggalkan lantai pelatnas Cipayung, Kamis (29/1). Ketika berpamitan kepada para petugas kebersihan atau petugas dapur pelatnas, hampir semuanya terkejut dengan keputusan tersebut.
"Waduuh Kang, nanti siapa yang jadi ketua panitia 17 Agustus di sini...?"
"Siapa nanti yang jadi ketua panitia peringatan Idul Qurban?"
"Siapa nanti yang menggantikan Taufik Hidayat?"
Taufik menyerahkan surat pengunduran diri dari pelatnas Cipayung kepada Kabid Pembinaan dan Prestasi PBSI, Lius Pongoh, pada Kamis (29/1) siang. "Saya langsung berpamitan dengan Mas Lius (Pongoh), dengan Koh Chris (Christian Hadinata), dengan kepala asrama, dan para pelayan di pelatnas Cipayung," kata Taufik.
Setelah itu Taufik langsung pulang. Ia mengaku, perasaannya galau meninggalkan tempat yang pernah menjadi tempatnya berlindung selama 12 tahun. Sejak ia masih pemain junior yang datang dari Bandung hingga di puncak dunia saat meraih medali emas di Olimpiade Athena 2004. "Ketika meninggalkan bangunan pelatnas saya berusaha menahan rasa sedih saya. Perasaan itu tidak juga hilang setelah saya sampai di rumah," kata taufik.
Taufik mengenang, pelatnas Cipayung tidak lagi bernuansa sekolah, tetapi lebih suasana keluarga yang guyub. "Yang paling saya ingat tentunya bagaimana saya dikerjain para senior saya," kata Taufik.
Cerita Taufik dikerjain seniornya memang bukan hal baru. Taufik muda selalu dihardik dan diledek para seniornya setiap kali "menyentuh" mobil-mobil milik para senior tersebut. "Heh lu enggak bisa beli tuh barang," kata para senior. Potongan kisah ini menimbulkan dendam dan semangat pada Taufik muda. Setelah berprestasi, Taufik membuktikan dirinya dengan membawa mobil jenis Toyota Alphard ke pelatnas Cipayung.
"Bagi saya itu menjadi kenangan yang indah," kata Taufik. Meski begitu, ia juga memiliki beberapa kenangan pahit yang menurut dia juga dirasakan banyak pemain hingga sekarang.
"Saya kira pengurus sekarang yang baru terpilih harus berubah dibandingkan yang lama. Sekarang komunikasi antara pengurus dan pemain harus lebih terbuka," katanya.
Menurut Taufik, apa yang diinginkan dan dipahami oleh pemain sebenarnya sangat jelas. "Pemain tahunya adalah berlatih, bertanding, dan kemudian dievaluasi. Kalau gagal, ia harus siap untuk kehilangan haknya. Namun kalau berhasil, ia boleh menanyakan haknya," katanya. Hal-hal seperti inilah yang menurut Taufik tidak dilakukan oleh para pengurus dan sudah berlangsung bertahun-tahun di Cipayung.
Taufik pun sebenarnya berharap pengurus juga menghargai para mantan pemain yang sudah tidak lagi di pelatnas. Ia tidak berharap akan ada upacara pelepasan pemain seperti yang pernah dirasakan beberapa pemain, seperti Susy Susanti dan Alan Budi Kusuma. "Tetapi ketika Flandy (Limpele) keluar dari pelatnas, apakah ada acara pelepasan? Kalau pun mau diadakan ya harus dari mereka. Bukan kami dong yang minta," kata Taufik lagi. Untuk pemian sekelas Taufik, upacara semacam ini tentunya layak diadakan.
Meski berkali-kali memuji peran PBSI terhadap perkembangan kariernya, Taufik tidak bisa menutupi bahwa ada masalah antara dirinya dan para pengurus. "Saya kira friksi itu biasa. Di sini kan terdiri dari banyak orang, ada dari Jawa, Sunda, dan lain-lain. Saya hanya berharap semoga kepergian saya membuat situasi menjadi lebih baik."
Sekali lagi, Taufik mencoba hanya mengingat hal-hal yang baik dari Cipayung. Begitu pun ia minta semua orang mengingat hal yang baik tentang dirinya. "Jangan melulu dilihat konflik saya dengan banyak pihak. Tetapi ingatlah saya karena prestasi saya di olimpiade, kejuaraan dunia, dan yang lainnya. Karena itulah saya ingin mundur selagi saya masih di puncak. Saya tidak ingin dikasihani atau dilupakan orang."
Taufik tidak merasakan kedua hal itu ketika melangkah meninggalkan lantai pelatnas Cipayung, Kamis (29/1). Ketika berpamitan kepada para petugas kebersihan atau petugas dapur pelatnas, hampir semuanya terkejut dengan keputusan tersebut.
"Waduuh Kang, nanti siapa yang jadi ketua panitia 17 Agustus di sini...?"
"Siapa nanti yang jadi ketua panitia peringatan Idul Qurban?"
"Siapa nanti yang menggantikan Taufik Hidayat?"
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