Wednesday, July 29th 2015. I was grimacing in pain. It must be the overnight food I took just now. I believed so. Hand on stomach, I struggled even to walk few steps.
Immediately told my teammates, and few of the boys drove me to the nearby hospital. Luckily thanks to drips and painkiller, the pain stopped. Yet I was still feeling weak. “No chance I’m gonna risk my body to play in tomorrow’s final”. I was referring to the 2015 Perak Open mixed double final.
Just when I wanted to give my coach a call to tell him my decision, I received a call. It was Vivian. She sounded worried.
“Big bro, heard of you hospitalized due to food poisoning. Please prioritize your health. I will tell the organizing committee we pull out from tomorrow’s final!” She said with a concerned yet stern tone, sincerely wanting me to rest.
Being the role model for the younger shuttlers, of course I had to put in a brave act. I said “No, I am determined to play, unless doctor advised me not to.” In actual fact, at that moment, my body couldn’t take it and having IV drip pipe hanging from my arm.
She paused. Must be stunned by my reply and didn’t want to insist due to my seniority. Then she replied in a manner I would never forget. “Big bro, if you really need to enter the court, please stay in front, let me do the running, covering you at the back.”
I was taken aback by those words. Coming from someone so young, that was a moment I learnt something from a junior. How could I disappoint her? How could I not be a better role model for the rest of the team after those words?
Doctors then advised me to rest. I told doctor if there is a slight chance for me to play, let me play. One of the male nurse cheekily asked ‘Why bro? Esok Perak Open final. Not Olympic or All England.” My respond? “For the promise I made to my fans who love this game, and for my partner.”
We won the final the next day. She did cover for me for few points of the game.
Vivian Hoo Kah Mun , Big bro here just want to thank you for being a good role model for the team. I’m sure this is not your final curtain because I see there is still fire, talent, skill in you to play a good 3-4 years more, at the very top level. I believe in you.
To the rest who suffered the same fate, don’t be disheartened. Make sure be more disciplined in training. Train even harder! There are good examples around the world where badminton professionals excel well!
If you still love the game, if you still can run a rubber set, don’t give up on your dreams.
羽球生涯中，我一直记得这一幕。
2015年，我跟师妹嘉雯搭档在霹雳公开赛打混双，怎么知道打完半决赛，我竟然食物中毒上吐下泻得进院吊点滴。当时我心想：惨了，明天的决赛怎么办呢？难得跟嘉雯搭档打比赛，实在不想让她失望而归，但无奈身体又不听使唤。这时，就接到嘉雯拨过来的一通电话：
“一哥，明天你别下场了，那不是什么重要的比赛，身体要紧，你应该把重心放在世锦赛＆奥运上。”
那时我听着电话，即使身体很虚，但还是用尽全力跟嘉雯说：“你知道的，我只要站上赛场就一定会坚持到底，不会这样就放弃比赛。” 虽然当下我也对隔天的决赛没什么把握，但就是不想辜负我的搭档。
后来嘉雯说，“好，一哥，如果你坚持下场，明天就让你站前面，我在站后面帮你顶。”
队友简单的一句话，让当时躺在医院的我非常感动，一心只想身体赶快好起来冲回赛场比拼，因为我们都没放弃、全力以赴上阵，最后在霹雳公开赛摘下混双冠军：）
球场上就是如此，没有人会想放弃谁，既然答应上场就要拼到最后一刻！最近，知道嘉雯已经离开国家队了，想起她在球场上从来不迟到早退、很会照顾后辈、个性坦率做事耿直，我身为师兄很为她骄傲，也想为她的精神鼓掌！不管未来路怎么走，做什么决定，都支持你。
和嘉雯有着想同命运的球员们想对你们说：即来之，则安之，未来路还很长，坚持训练，灿烂的阳光总会在风雨后出现！
