Kwong Beng ready to stake claim for spot in Thomas Cup
Posted by valsus on February 12, 2010
PETALING JAYA: Back-up shuttler Chan Kwong Beng realises that he is well in the running for a place in the team for the Thomas Cup Finals in May.
In the 2009 National Grand Prix Finals in Johor Baru last week, Kwong Beng emerged as a group winner and played against eventual champions Lee Chong Wei in the semi-finals.
Last month, Kwong Beng dumped senior Kuan Beng Hong to reach the main draw of the Malaysian Open for the first time.
And a good showing in the German Open from March 2-7 will enhance his chances to get into the Thomas Cup squad.
But the 22-year-old admitted that he was not sure whether he would be able to overcome the stage fright of playing in the Thomas Cup Finals. He remembers well what happened in the 2007 Korat SEA Games team competition.
“When I lost to Derek Wong of Singapore, it was one of the worst moments for me. I just panicked and didn’t know how to play against him because of the pressure that was on me to perform,” he said.
Malaysia were beaten 1-3 by Singapore with Beng Hong scoring the point.
“Everything went wrong that day and I couldn’t execute my game plan properly because I was too jittery. I didn’t have enough experience in international tournaments then and hopefully, things will change for me,” said Kwong Beng.
Kwong Beng is now a sparring partner of world No. 1 Chong Wei and he has progressed a lot under the guidance of coach Misbun Sidek.
However, Kwong Beng will not be harbouring high hopes to be in the team for the Thomas Cup Finals to be hosted by Malaysia. He feels that the other back-up squad players, Tan Chun Seang and Chong Wei Feng, also have equal chances to get into the team.
“Everybody is working hard to win a place in the team. If I am selected, I will do my best for the team,” he said.
