KUALA LUMPUR: Seasoned campaigners Wong Choong Hann and Lee Chong Wei are Malaysia’s two best men’s singles players and they will be going to the Olympic Games in Beijing next month.
However, they do not train together – and that’s just the way Choong Hann likes it.
The duo have not trained together since the Thomas Cup Finals in Jakarta in May.
Choong Hann trains under Wong Tat Meng at Gymnasium Two in Bukit Jalil while Chong Wei keeps himself busy under Misbun Sidek at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara.
“I do not mind training in isolation although sparring with Chong Wei would have been a good way to raise my game,” said Choong Hann, whose sparring partners include James Chua, Yeoh Kay Bin, Lim Chen Wet and K. Yogendran.
“Chong Wei has been doing well and he is following a solid programme under Misbun. It is not fair for me to barge in and disrupt his training programme.
“The priority is on Chong Wei right now. He is being prepared to deliver a medal at the Beijing Games.
“I think the timing for us to train together now is not right. It is best that we continue to train at our own pace for now.”
Choong Hann has been struggling to keep pace against fast attacking players of late. In fact, in last month’s Singapore Open, he lost 21-17, 5-21, 9-21 to World No. 2 Chong Wei in the quarter-finals.
He is now placing more emphasis on his physical training programme to help him last the pace during matches.
“I am not too worried about my skills and techniques. Since returning from Jakarta (Thomas Cup Finals), I have been giving more emphasis on my physical training,” said Choong Hann.
“I need to have the ‘right capacity in my engine’ to give my rivals a good fight,” he joked.
The world No. 15 is also not upset at not being considered a medal prospect.
“The odds are stacked against me but I am so used to this tag (of not being considered a medal contender). But nothing is going to stop me from winning a medal in my final Olympics,” he said.
“I am not worried about my opponents. I am fighting against myself to make this Olympics a memorable one for me.”
National chief coach Yap Kim Hock said that players in the Olympic squad would train together once centralised training begins on July 21.
“Chong Wei has done well without even sparring with Choong Hann. For now, the players are happy with their respective arrangements,” said Kim Hock.
“But there will be matchplays between Chong Wei and Choong Hann during centralised training.”
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