Little Li hopes to take big steps

China badminton head coach Li Yongbo used to hope his son Li Gen would attend a good university and find a decent job rather than pick up the racket and become a professional athlete.

But his strong-minded son had other plans.

"I know how tough and dull life can be for a badminton player, so I hoped he might have the same life as other young people," said Yongbo, who used to be a true dominating force as a doubles player in the late 1980s.

"But I failed and he picked up the racket when he was 12 years old."

Though he started his career a bit late, Gen, who is now 15, showed he inherited his parents' athletic talents (his mother, Xie Ying, was a rhythmic gymnast) and became a member of the national reserve team.

"I know he has a feeling and conscience for the sport. He grew up in a badminton environment. It was very important for his development," Yongbo said.

But the son is still disappointed that he did not get involved earlier.

"There would be fewer mistakes if I had started the sport earlier," said a downtrodden Gen after he lost two first-round matches in his doubles and mixed doubles competitions at the Good Luck Beijing International Badminton Tournament last month.

"But it's no use complaining. I will be focused on the future and train even harder."

The tournament in Beijing was Gen's second major competition. His international debut was in September at the Asian Badminton Invitational in Vietnam, where he finished eighth in the doubles and second in the team competitions.

Standing at 1.80m, Gen is physically endowed for the sport and many believe he will follow in his father's footsteps, headed for great success as a doubles player.

"I chose the doubles for him. It is the most suitable event for him, just like me," Li said, smiling.

But Li admitted his son is not as obedient as other national team members such as world champions Lin Dan and Zhang Ning.

"He just looks at me as his father rather than the coach. So he sometimes does not listen to what I say.

"So I have to find other ways. I record his performances on the court, show it to him at home and make assessments with him."

Olympic dream

Yongbo says he wants to produce 100 world champions before he retires from his post. He hopes his son can join the star-studded club soon.

"I saw on the internet that some people left blessings to see my son become one of 100 world champions. That would be great," said Yongbo, who has already coached more than 50 world champions.

"I even hope he could be the 100th champion. After that, I could retire."

To help achieve his father's goal, Gen was sent to Fujian two years ago where he learned from former world champion and national team coach Tang Xianhu, who seems almost devoted to developing Gen and his own son, Tang Songhua.

But the teenager has mixed feelings with so much pressure thrust upon him now that his career is taking off.

"I was under big pressure when (my father) came to watch me play. But I think I played my game today," Gen said last month . "I have more work to do on the moves."

"On the other hand, I am also lucky that I have more chances to compete with higher-level rivals."

Last week's tournament was also a test event for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The gymnasium at Beijing University of Technology will host all the badminton matches for the Games.

Yongbo encourages his son to hold on and hopes Gen can compete at the Olympics at some point in his career.

"I asked him to train hard and never give up. I believe one day he will play at the Olympic Games. He will be 24 in 2016. I think that will be the best time for him."

China Daily

(China Daily 11/01/2007 page22)