Beijing Olympics, looking back at the hottest moment. (part 2)
Q: The year of 2008 should be very special for you.
A: Yes, definitely! Even now sometimes I can’t believe that I won the gold medal. Just being able to participate in Olympics is something that can make my heart beat faster. And I won a gold medal there! What else could I wish for? Whenever I see the gold medal again, I still get filled with emotion because that’s what I had dreamed since elementary school days. And then I pull myself together again and make a promise to myself that I will keep working harder.
Q: What are some big changes that have happened to you since the Beijing Olympics?
A: Most of all, I’m working harder. I know that if I don’t try hard enough I can’t keep this top position. Secondly, I’ve come to have much more fans who care for me a lot. My family have also changed. They laugh more than before. I’m happy with that. Ah, one more, I bought a bigger house for my family (laugh).
Q: In addition, you’ve been nicknamed “Wink Boy”.
A: After the wink at Beijing, I thought about why on earth I did it. I did it unconsciously, but now I think I did a good thing for myself (laugh). Do I often wink? No. It was a special occasion. I was extremely excited at that time.
Badminton, it’s my life and my destiny. (part 3)
Q: When did you start playing badminton?
A: It was the second year of my elementary school. My family had left Wha-soon and lived in Seoul for about three months. The life in Seoul was kind of sterile for my family and we came back to the hometown (Wha-soon). At that time the couch recommended badminton for me. At first I was not interested but just before the winter vacation I started badminton because I wanted to lose some weight. I was a little bit chubby at that time. I had much fun playing badminton with my friends.
Q: When do you think it was a right choice to start badminton?
A: When I win a match. Wouldn’t it be the same for other athletes? When I’m doing good in a tournament, I feel happy and the training is also really fun. On the other hand, when I lose a match, I get easily bored and exhausted with the training. Winning a match is better for both body and mind. I feel my spirits rise when I receive complimentary comments on the match from my fans.
Q: What does ‘badminton’ mean to you?
A: For me, badminton is like my family. If I don’t play badminton for a while I find myself eagerly wanting to grab my racket again just like you miss your family so much when you are away with them.
Q: Until when are you going to play badminton?
A: Badminton is a great fun for me. It has been something I really enjoy since I was young. I want to play as long as my physical condition allows me to. Even after I retire as a player, I want to continue to be with badminton as a coach. I will live with badminton all my life.
Q: Is there anything you want to say to the readers of this magazine?
A: I will do my best in the future tournaments. I’m still a young player, but I hope I can play good badminton games until the moment that I retire so that you can enjoy. I promise I will be always working hard without being conceited.
Translated by: Jinnie Moon a.k.a Halfmoon ^_^
Source: STarYongDae
