Every smash and drop shot counted, but observing certain customs mattered just as much for Goh Liu Ying
When she stepped onto the badminton court, the Olympic silver medallist in mixed doubles with Chan Peng Soon at the 2016 Rio Games brought more than just her racket and years of training – she carried the cultural beliefs that gave her confidence.
“In Chinese culture, there are definitely beliefs and sayings that my family took seriously,” said Liu Ying, who retired in 2023.
“For example, my parents would remind me not to say negative words, especially some ‘pantang’ words, before competitions because they believe what I speak can affect my luck and energy.
“And to be honest, I also believe that certain words or little routines can help with my luck, so I followed them too.”
What might seem like superstition to others became her quiet shield.
“It became part of my preparation, giving me confidence and a positive mindset before stepping on court,” she said.
However, Liu Ying’s sporting journey was never confined to her own cultural roots. As part of a multiracial national team, she often found herself embracing traditions outside her own.
She remembers fondly the times she joined teammates in festive celebrations.
“In the past, we also ate with our hands sometimes, and I found it really special to experience something different,” she recalled.
“Whether it was being invited to a teammate’s Raya or Deepavali celebration, I would even get excited about wearing their traditional outfits.
“For me, those moments weren’t just about food, but about truly sharing in each other’s culture.”
Learning to adapt to different customs and communication styles could have been challenging, but it became an opportunity.
Those shared experiences taught her that diversity was not a hurdle but a strength.
“As a Chinese athlete, the values I grew up with – discipline and respect for hard work – really shaped my mentality on court,” said Liu Ying.
“And being in a multiracial team meant I sometimes had to adapt, whether to different communication styles or habits. But instead of seeing it as a challenge, I felt it made me more open‑minded and resilient.
“We came from different cultures, spoke different mother tongues and even celebrated different festivals, but on court we sweated, struggled and improved together.
“Off court, we shared meals, laughed at each other’s jokes and supported one another through wins and losses.”
Looking back, Liu Ying credits both her personal beliefs and Malaysia’s multicultural spirit for shaping her as an athlete and a person.
“In the end, my culture also gave me the environment to grow into a better athlete and person,” she said.
“That experience made me realise that our diversity is our biggest strength and, despite our differences, we were always united under one flag as Malaysians.”
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