Lee Chong Wei & Taufik Hidayat, Love & Positivity (video of Hidayat’s interview)

Kuala Lumpur: In recent days, a heated debate has unfolded regarding Taufik Hidayat’s questioning of Lee Chong Wei’s inclusion in the Hall of Fame. This topic has garnered significant attention, particularly from badminton fans, with Malaysian fans taking to social media to express their discontent with Taufik’s stance.

Below is Taufik Hidayat’s complete interview with his comments about Lee Chong Wei’s inclusion in the BWF Hall of Fame:

Nak ckp pasal prestasi ke pencapaian ke aku tak kisah tp bila ko kaitkan dato LCW dpt HOF sbb pejabat BWF di Malaysia,itu kenyataan dan tuduhan paling bodoh dan dangkal bagi aku oleh seorang legend bernama taufik hidayat. I’ve lost all respect for you
Credit: djayamkampung95 pic.twitter.com/2N8u8fNs6U

— KnizaM Leo 🇲🇾🔰 (@kroolnizam) June 1, 2023

Here, BadmintonPlanet.com would like to help fans digest Taufik’s remarks through 5 easy steps:

1. Freedom of Speech
Setting aside the question of who is right or wrong, it is important to acknowledge and uphold everyone’s freedom of speech. This fundamental right is a cornerstone of democratic societies, allowing individuals to express their opinions openly.

2. Numbers Don’t Lie
Statistically speaking, Lee Chong Wei has a higher winning percentage than the three Olympic gold medalists: Lin Dan, Chen Long, and Taufik himself. This data challenges the argument presented by Taufik in the interview above against Lee Chong Wei’s qualifications for the BWF Hall of Fame.

According to the statistics below, as of 2020, Lee Chong Wei has played a total of 848 matches in his career and won 713 of them. His winning percentage was 84.08%; while Lin Dan’s winning percentage was 83.46%, Chen Long’s was 79.46%, and Taufik Hidayat’s winning percentage was 74.95%.

Furthermore, Lee is the only person in the history of badminton who has spent 349 weeks as the No. 1 ranked player in the world and ranked No. 1 for 200 consecutive weeks.

3. Not The First Time Taufik Hidayat Has Made Controversial Remarks
Taufik’s tendency to make controversial remarks is not unprecedented. In 2006, he labeled Lin Dan as arrogant, as reported in this article: “Taufik: Lin Dan arrogant.”
https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/other-sport/2006/12/02/taufik-lin-dan-arrogant

Additionally, in 2010, he downplayed the significance of Lin Dan’s four consecutive championships, emphasizing his admiration for the Asian Games instead.
https://sports.qq.com/a/20100823/000612.htm

4. Hall of Fame Election Requirements
It is essential to understand that gold medals are not the sole criteria for entry into the Hall of Fame. In many sports, inductions are based on a player’s overall impact on the sport, career records, ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and team contributions.

For example, Yao Ming’s induction into the NBA Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson demonstrates this broader perspective. Despite not winning any NBA titles, Olympic gold medals, or World Championship titles, Yao Ming’s significant influence on the game of basketball warranted his inclusion. The recent announcement by FIBA on June 2, 2023, confirming Yao Ming’s induction into the 2023 FIBA Hall of Fame further illustrates this point.

Hence, Taufik’s argument that Lee Chong Wei’s absence of a gold medal disqualifies him from the Hall of Fame is unfounded and inappropriate.

5. Let’s Spread More Love And Positivity

As a highly influential former player in the world of badminton, it would be more constructive for Taufik to promote love and harmony instead of engaging in attacks against others. For example, Lee Chong Wei was wearing a “We Love Taufik” T-shirt on the Indonesian court signifying the strong bond and respect he has for Taufik.

Even though players like Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan engaged in intense on-court rivalries, their friendship endured beyond retirement. Recently, they collaborated on a video where Lee Chong Wei teaches Lin Dan Malay. These heartwarming moments emphasize the importance of fostering positive relationships within the badminton community.

Video of Lee Chong Wei Love Lin Dan 🙂

In conclusion, badminton legends such as Taufik Hidayat should focus on encouraging unity, spreading love, and nurturing a spirit of camaraderie within the badminton community as we move forward from this topic.