Kong Wei Xiang competing in the Under-18 National Championship in Ipoh. RONNIE CHIN/The Star
IPOH: Shuttler Kong Wei Xiang is thrilled to have Datuk Tey Seu Bock coaching him in the junior men’s singles team.
The 16-year-old Wei Xiang, who is from Penang just like Datuk Lee Chong Wei, greatly admires the latter.
And he could not contain his excitement when he got to know that he would be training under Seu Bock, who used to guide Chong Wei along with Indonesian Hendrawan.
Seu Bock was moved from the senior team to the junior set-up last October in a bid to raise the standards of the juniors and Wei Xiang is determined to learn as much as he can from the experienced coach.
"I grew up watching Chong Wei very often. I’m from Butterworth which is about 30 minutes from his hometown in Bukit Mertajam," said Wei Xiang.
"I’m inspired to become a world class player like him. So, I’m very excited and thankful to get to learn under coach Seu Bock as he is a top coach and used to guide Chong Wei.
Even at a young age, Wei Xiang, who started playing badminton when he was seven after encouragement from his father, is not afraid to dream big.
The youngster hopes to one day end Malaysia’s wait for a World Championships title in the men’s singles and gold in the Olympics.
Chong Wei came closest to both crowns multiple times but was narrowly denied by both China’s Lin Dan and Chen Long.
"My dream is to reach the world’s top 10 rankings and win the world title in the singles and Olympic gold which Malaysia has never won yet," said Wei Xiang.
"I know I have a long journey ahead of me though and I have to keep working hard to become successful."
Wei Xiang proved his potential when he captured the Under-16 national title last year.
The teen has now set his sights on winning the Under-18 crown and stayed on track by beating Selangor’s Beh Yu Wei 15-8, 15-8 at the Academy Badminton Perak in Ipoh yesterday to book his spot in the fifth round.
Wei Xiang, who is the top seed in the tourney, will play Perak’s Loh Chee Kiat next for a place in the quarter-finals.
