A legend physically drained – but what a body of work

Lee Chong Wei celebrates his victory after claiming his fifth Commonwealth Games gold. - AFP

IT'S hard to imagine the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games without Lee Chong Wei.

The badminton icon broke down in tears as he announced his retirement in an emotional press conference yesterday.

It's sad to see him finally bid farewell.

I've been reporting on him since he joined the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) at the age of 18 – that's 19 years ago. Over the years, we have developed a mutual respect for one another.

Indeed, what a journey it has been for Chong Wei – the joy of winning, the agony of defeat, the many ups and downs, his on-court mastery, his off-court dramas and oh, all those heart-wrenching narrow misses at major tournaments.

He always came back stronger after every fall – even more determined, even more gung-ho and ready to pounce on his rivals.

So, it's heartbreaking that the great fighter is finally retiring from the sport that he has contributed so much to for almost two decades.

The 36-year-old Chong Wei has decided to put his health first – and that is the right thing to do.

In fact, many had given up hope when he was diagnosed with nose cancer in July last year – but not Chong Wei. He faced the "biggest foe" in his career with courage.

He sought the best treatment in Taiwan, was cleared of cancer in November and by the start of January, he was back on the court doing light training.

I met him, his wife Wong Mew Choo and their two bubbly sons – Kingston and Terrance– at his residence just after Christmas last year.

"Kakak, I'm not sure whether my body can take it but I want to try to qualify for my last Olympic Games in Tokyo. I want to do this," Chong Wei said.

Who could blame him? He had unfinished business. He was the runner-up in three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, 2016) and a three-time silver medallist in the World Championships (2011, 2013, 2015).

More than anybody else, I knew how badly he wanted to end the wait to be Malaysia's first Olympic gold medallist and badminton world champion.

Many kept asking whether he could make it or when he would retire, I knew it was tough but I was quietly hoping that he would make it to Tokyo as that would have been a fitting finale for him. However, it was not to be. The cancer ended his dreams.

But all is not lost for the Penang-born boy, who arrived at the Taman Maluri academy in KL with just a meagre RM200 in his pocket back in 1998 to chase his badminton dream.

From humble beginnings to a national hero – that's how he will be remembered. The one who united Malaysians of all colour, race and creed through his never-say-die attitude on the badminton court and the one who won the admiration of young and old for his years of tireless service.

I must say my mom is an ardent fan like so many others. Unfortunately I never got a chance to take her to watch him in action. That will probably be one of my little regrets.

I've seen many sides of him over the years but there are a few qualities in him that have warmed my heart – and I hope these traits will be emulated by those aspiring to be like him.

I knew him as a mischievous boy during his junior days – the scrawny boy who used to poke fun at all his teammates.

He used to tease his teammate Mew Choo too – and now she's the love of his life. If I'm not mistaken, they broke up and got back together again 11 times – before finally tying the knot.

But it was his lack of seriousness on court that almost cost him his career. When he was in his early 20s, coach Datuk Misbun Sidek chased him out of the badminton hall once. Fortunately, that became the turning point for Chong Wei.

He apologised and returned to court with renewed determination and that's when his meteoric rise began. He started winning titles, went on to become the world No. 1, and established himself as one of the best in the world.

And who can forget his rivalry with Lin Dan of China? Their performances oozed class. Their matches drew in crowds by the thousands. Every shot earned oohs and ahhs from adoring fans all over the world. Lin Dan has won more trophys – including five world titles and two Olympic golds – but the Chinese maestro will admit that it was Chong Wei who brought out the best in him.

I will never forget the 2006 Malaysian Open final between these two badminton maestros in Kuching. I was in the stadium and fans started trickling out of the stadium with Chong Wei trailing 13-20 in the decider. He heroically fought back to stage one of the most spectacular comebacks of this era. He eventually won 23-21 after levelling at 20-20.

Another close duel was at the 2011 World Championship in Wembley. Chong Wei, the four-time All-England champion, squandered a two-point lead to lose. I remembered seeing him in tears – he was heartbroken but determined to bounce back.

Then, there was the duel at the 2012 London Olympics where Chong Wei lost in a similar fashion. He was injured before the Olympics – and worked his way back to full fitness in less than three months!

He finally got his revenge against Lin Dan in the semi-finals of the 2016 Rio Olympics, but unfortunately lost to Chen Long in the final.

I have to admit that Chong Wei is also money-driven – but in a good way. Lucrative prize money keeps him fighting for honours but he matches it with hard work and discipline.

He is the first to show up in training and the last to leave the hall – that is the level of his commitment.

The only other time I saw Chong Wei broken and crushed was when he was slapped with an eight-month ban for doping in 2014. He was also stripped of the silver he won at the world meet in Copenhagen, Denmark.

I was in Amsterdam, Holland for his hearing with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) but the media were not allowed in – we had to wait outside the hotel in the cold weather. Chong Wei could have avoided us and run out through a back door – but he came out to face the media bravely.

That's another hallmark of Chong Wei – he faces all challenges head-on.

Towards the end of his career, though, I sensed Chong Wei becoming more subdued and philosophical.

We have sat and chatted for long periods after his training sessions – about Malaysia's future in badminton, life and sometimes politics too. But most of the time, it was about his concern over the juniors.

He realised the gap is wide. He pushed some of the juniors in training and gave some brotherly advice.

But that was all he could do – his genes can never be transferred to his potential successors.

He may not be playing competitively anymore and I doubt he will turn to coaching, but I believe Chong Wei will continue to support the juniors.

His success can also be an inspiration for them – that if they put their heart and soul into training, stay focused and dream big, they can become as successful or even better.

We may not have Chong Wei to keep the Malaysian flag flying high anymore but I do hope his fighting spirit will live on and many more Chong Weis will rise up and make the country proud.

The writer thanks Chong Wei for his contributions and wishes him all the best. And she is hopeful that his sons will follow in their father's footsteps one day.