Monday, August 18, 2008

What I learnt from the greatest STARS in Beijing Olympics

Beijing Olympics 2008 has given birth to some of the greatest stars in sports - some of whom will be given a title - LEGEND.

We can't have enough of Michael Phelps, can we? I was doing my morning exercise in front of TV while listening to news, and WHAT THE HECK. Phelps... Phelps... Phelps again. Well, that's better than news about the most famous Malaysian "sport star" at the moment, Anwar Ibrahim. We know what kind of sport he is playing (Hint: men only).


Lesson learnt: Impossible is Nothing. Before the Olympics started, Phelps told the media that he was going to win 8 gold medals (Thanks to Lilyana for the correction), and a lot of people laughed at him. It pays off to dream BIG.


NADAL!!!! Yes. His time has come. Roger Federer, don't worry, everyone has their own time. 4 years plus as world's number one is a long... long time.





Lesson learnt: It sucks to be forever world's number 2. However, some things in life are worth waiting, and worth working hard towards. Everytime I see Rafael Nadal playing, and everytime I see his positive attitude, I know his time would come one day.


Singapore has finally grabbed a medal. I listened to Gold 90.5 FM this morning and laughed during my way to workplace. If you have a child, name him/her Feng Wang Li. That's the surest way to make him future Singapore table tennis player. Btw, Feng Wang Li comes from the three wonder women that just did Singapore proud, Feng Tianwei, Wang Yuegu, and the most famous of all, Li Jiawei. Well done Singapore!




In badminton, Zhang Ning has become the only player who grabbed consecutive 2 gold medals in women's single. Mind you, she is 33. Too bad Xie Xingfang lose, otherwise she and her bad-boy boyfriend Lin Dan will be the Olympics' gold-medal couple just like Indonesia's Susi Susanti and Alan Budikusuma in 1992. Indonesia grabbed 1 gold medal from Markis Kido / Hendra Setiawan and a silver from Nova Widianto / Lilyana Natsir. I was dissappointed that the last pair didn't win gold.


Taufik can fly kite. Well, not to worry Taufik. You have everything already. Famous name, beautiful wife, kids, and most importantly, rich in-laws. You can buy not only 1 "gold medal", 1000 also can.

Lesson learnt:

Sometimes, winners are not always the most talented ones. They are the hungriest persons in the stadium. In 2004, Taufik Hidayat had to prove himself as world's best and he won. Now he has nothing to prove. He has everything. He lose. And by the way, lose very badly.

Kido / Setiawan told the media before the Olympics even started, THEY WANTED NOTHING BUT A GOLD.





They wanted bad enough. They got it.

I know I am repeating myself, but good things are worth repeating.



Steven Jobs said, "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish". Michael Phelps was hungry. Kido / Setiawan were hungry. Singapore's table tennis team was hungry. Lin Dan was hungry. Rafael Nadal was hungry.




When we fail to reach our dream, take a deep breath, close our eyes, and ask ourselves.



"AM I HUNGRY ENOUGH??????"

5 comments:

lee2 said...

Phelps' target is not 9 gold medals, but 8 only
The 8th gold medal he won is also the last gold medal for the whole swimming race in olympics =)

He has won 14 gold medals in total, 6 from Athens 2004, and 16 olympics medal in total with additional 2 bronze from Athens 2004 also ...

*new fans of Phelps*

Anonymous said...

... why you remove your 'evil post'?

Anonymous said...

phew.. finally an update after sooo long. I checked your blod few times before, but no update :(

Ben said...

@Lee2
Thanks for the correction.. :)

@Zhane
Haha yes, I am editing it.

@Ana
Yup.. When we start working, finding time to blog is sooo difficult.. T_T

Anonymous said...

"Sometimes, winners are not always the most talented ones. They are the hungriest persons in the stadium."

That is a very profound statement. I LOVE it.