Winning even in a loss

Quite frankly, I don’t think I can ever imagine myself standing in the middle of an Olympics challenge. 

I cannot imagine having to carry within myself such a humungous amount of hope to win at that final challenge and yet all the while having to also live with the knowledge that everything I have trained and worked so hard for can possibly be disintegrated in just a few moments’ notice. 

And above all that, I have the hopes from millions of supporters and an entire country on my back, all sitting religiously in their plastic chairs in mamak stalls half an hour before my every match so they can watch my every action. All of whom are praying for me to win. 

And my only way of repaying this loyal gesture is to win.

Winning - such a simple solution that requires a tremendous amount of effort plus a dash of luck, which at times is elusive.

No, I can’t imagine myself in Lee Chong Wei’s very expensive sports shoes.

His loss definitely resonated deeply within the hearts of every Malaysian. That final set was so close it was utterly heartbreaking to watch him lose. My level of sadness was at CAN-CRY-LEVEL.

And yet even in his loss, he did what many leaders of Malaysia have not quite succeeded in doing for decades – unite Malaysians on one platform. 

He is possibly the one stranger that Malaysians have ever prayed so hard for. Obviously our population cannot beat that of China’s so that may or may not have been a disadvantage (ha-ha). But the very fact that he played so well despite sustaining a previous injury was enough to move the hearts of the people. 

When I prayed for this win, I prayed because I thought Malaysia needs a win and that Chong Wei deserves it this time.

I thought that we needed this win because it really would have been nice to hear “Negaraku” playing in the Olympics for once. I thought that we needed it because it would be awesome to go out beaming in the streets tomorrow, declaring that we have made history and be totally united in that glorious moment of joy.

I thought we deserve it because Chong Wei has trained so hard and has come so far. I thought we deserve it because we would certainly parade the streets and appreciate this win more than China (Dude, seriously. Our gold medal count is zero!)

As it turned out, it wasn’t quite time yet. And I realise I am not one to say who deserves a win more than the other.

But what is really touching and essentially, it is also what really matters, is that all Malaysians can still gather round to console this one Malaysian who has tried so hard to perform in the Olympics platform but failed at the very end; one that has carried the hopes of all Malaysians but fell short of expectations.

We are a unique community, us Malaysians.

No society is as forgiving of a loss as Malaysians are tonight. 

And for me, it is highly encouraging that I belong to a community that still holds on to the view that if you have tried your best, no one can blame you.

Chong Wei has lost a match. And at the end of the day, that is all he has lost. At the same time, he has gained the respect of so many and lost not a single drop of his honour. :’)

#still proud of how Lee Chong Wei performed tonight :)