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Silver.
posted : Monday, August 18, 2008
Shuttler Lee Chong Wei ended Malaysia's 12-year wait for an Olympic medal by advancing into the finals of the Men's Singles competition. Many tipped him for Malaysia's first ever Olympic gold medal. Everyone was excited. (Well, all who watched badminton anyway.) So in a frantic attempt to watch the finals live on RTM1, we had no other choice but to once again go to PGP. We learned our mistake and went there at 7pm when the match started at 8.48pm. So we grabbed a good seat in one of the TV rooms. So while waiting for the match to start we watched the Singapore (a.k.a China-born) table tennis girls being swept aside by their "countrywomen" in the women table tennis team finals. First medal for Singapore as well in 48 years. While we watched table tennis more and more people, mainly the Chinese started to fill the TV room. They were so into the table tennis game that we started worrying that we wont be able to change channel later. Fortunately we discovered another TV room full of our fellow Malaysians and we migrated there just in time, though unable to get good seats.  They even printed Malaysian flags and erect one of it on top of the TV to mark our "territory". The atmosphere was great. We cheered on every nice shot Chong Wei made (not that there are many of them) and boo-ed when Lin Dan won a point and clenched his fists. (more of this scenario). Since the reception was bad we can only watch black-and-white and without sound, so some of them try to imitate the infamous Hasbullah Awang from RTM1, with his "wonderful" commentary. "Cantik!!!" "Dia hanya bernasib baik..." "Oh cantik!!! Tetapi keluar...." Eventually they ran out of interest in doing that as we witness one of the tragedies in Olympic badminton history. Chong Wei succumbed under immense pressure on him to deliver Malaysia's first ever gold. Lin Dan controlled the match and dominated most of the rallies, and Chong Wei obediently followed. No sign of his top form which he displayed over the past few months. I guess we all can never understand the huge pressure on him. So disappointed was the crowd in the TV room that they hastily switch off the TV after the last point so that we do not have to see Lin Dan celebrating. (The TV was switched on again later, but we left already.) It is a pity he didnt win. I am sure the whole TV room will go crazy if he did. Before the match I can even imagine us singing the national anthem at the victory ceremony. But then...  Disappointment. But well done, Chong Wei. Labels: olympics |
