Tan Fook gets into top shape as he prepares for his final Olympics

By RAJES PAUL

KUALA LUMPUR: National men’s doubles shuttler Choong Tan Fook used to struggle with his weight and fitness problems.

But all that is in the past. The 32-year-old has never looked in better shape as he prepares for a third bite at Olympic glory.

The leaner and fitter Tan Fook even has good vibes about next month’s Beijing Games, where he will make his third appearance with long-time partner Lee Wan Wah.

“I feel lighter, fitter and fresher. My movements on the court have also improved a lot,” said Tan Fook after a training session at Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara yesterday.

“It reminds me of when I was in my early 20s. I have not felt this good for a long time. This is one of my best preparations.

“In fact, many say that I look thinner. I have not really lost a lot of weight but I have gained muscles.”

Tan Fook admitted that it was not easy for him to get into such good shape ahead of the Beijing Games and that it involved a lot of sacrifices.

“At my age, I found the physical training quite demanding. But I knew I had to go through the hardship to keep pace with a lot of the younger pairs,” he said.

“In fact, I am more conscious of what I eat these days. I am taking organic rice and cutting down on outside food.”

After his failure to land any medals with Wan Wah in their last two outings in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, Tan Fook is determined to end his badminton career on a high.

“It will probably be our toughest challenge. Playing under the 21-point rally scoring system has thrown the race for a medal wide open. The standard of the doubles pairs from Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Denmark, South Korea and Japan is quite close and it can be anybody’s game. It is now up to us to take our chances,” said Tan Fook.

National doubles chief coach Rexy Mainaky, while happy with the commitment shown by Tan Fook-Wan Wah in training, hoped that Tan Fook would be able to play well – consistently.

Besides Tan Fook-Wan Wah, Malaysia’s other doubles representatives in Beijing are Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.

Malaysia last won a medal in the Olympics through Yap Kim Hock-Cheah Soon Kit, who won a silver at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

The Star