PETALING JAYA: Former doubles shuttlers Chan Chong Ming and China’s Cai Yun were once fierce rivals on court, but are now close friends with a shared goal - to nurture the next generation of talent.
Last week, Chong Ming brought 10 juniors from the Chan Chong Ming Academy to train and spar with players from Shanghai Bo Kuan Sports, where Cai Yun serves as a consultant.
Both 46-year-olds came through the same era, competing from their junior days right up to the highest level.
Chong Ming, who first partnered Koo Kien Keat before teaming up with Chew Choon Eng, had faced the formidable Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng countless times.
"We laughed about a lot of things and also shared about our past.
"Kien Keat and I have beaten Cai Yun-Haifeng at the World Championships (2005, third round) and in the Malaysian Open final in Sarawak (2005) - the same year Lee Chong Wei defeated Lin Dan.
"But Cai Yun is a Grand Slam winner. He and Haifeng have won all the major titles - Olympics, worlds, Asian Games, All-England. We can’t compare as they are of a different class.
"Off the court, though, we’ve been good friends. It’s great that we’ve maintained this friendship for almost 30 years."
Their strong camaraderie also made it possible for Chong Ming to arrange the joint training stint with Cai Yun’s club.
"We were initially invited for the Ruibao Cup in Pudong, Shanghai, but since we arrived early, I managed to arrange this with Cai Yun," he said.
"We played matches with his club players and also had joint training with teams from Banthongyord (Thailand), Singapore, the Philippines and Japan over two days."
Chong Ming also praised Cai Yun for the various roles he has taken on since retiring.
"Cai Yun is also a lecturer, and whenever the national team needs him, he steps in, especially before major events like the Olympic Games.
"He is very knowledgeable. I’ve watched his analysis on Weibo as he gives insightful views on major tournaments and shares his experience."
