THANK you, boys.
How does it feel to be world champions? Delirious with joy, on top of the world and what else…
Both of you united the country on Sunday by delivering the first World Badminton Championships crown, ending a 45-year wait just days before National Day. It was a history-making narrative.
We are all so proud of you. You have proven that winning the world title is not impossible.
You created history and made it the best gift for Merdeka amid the gloomy news we have been fed with for the last few weeks.
Your opponents in the final were formidable, and your emphatic victory silenced many critics. Only last month, your compatibility was questioned by local sports fans. But your coach, Rexy Mainaky, said he would not risk splitting you up.
Criticism should only serve to build a stronger mentality and inspire you to prove your critics wrong by showing them your capabilities.
Rexy believed in you and allowed you space to always speak up about the problems you have faced. He helped build up self-confidence, belief in yourselves, and a winning mindset.
Both of you took up the challenge and continued with your partnership, and your connections remained strong.
But on the court, you are on your own.
Your start in the final was “kan-cheong” (nervous), but the switch in strategy and tactics subdued the opponents.
You were constantly encouraging each other, and your focus remained exemplary. Patience and knowing your strengths also helped.
You have been known to be too defensive, but in the final, there was more variety and you created more attacking chances. The rest is history.
It has been a long road since you first paired up in 2017.
Now that you are champions, do stay grounded and continue working hard because aspiring players will want to dethrone you.
Divine intervention was also there because Rexy was praying to god for the whole week asking for blessings for both of you.
You have delivered, but will Malaysians continue their support?
What say you? – The Vibes, August 30, 2022
Saleh Mohammed reads The Vibes