Badminton

August 8, 2008

Eva Lee

Eva Lee began playing badminton when she was only 11 years old. After winning several junior championships in the United States and Canada, she began to compete in national and international events at the adult level. Lee also played college badminton at Irvine Valley College in Irvine, Calif., helping lead her team to consecutive championships. Lee won an unprecedented three badminton gold medals at the 2007 Pan American Games. No U.S. competitor had ever accomplished this before.

Born: August 7, 1986 in Hong Kong
Current Residence: Orange, Calif.
Ethnicity: Chinese
Height: 5′5″
Weight: 135 lbs.
Event: Women’s singles, women’s doubles
Doubles partner: Mesinee “May” Mangkalakiri

Did you know? Lee and her women’s doubles partner, Mangkalakiri, were briefly high school teammates at Villa Park High School, where their future Olympic teammate, Khan Malaythong, served as coach.

Career Highlights

2007:

Irish International Championships, Mixed Doubles (Howard Bach), Gold
Irish International Championships, Women’s Doubles (May Mangkalikiri), Silver
U.S. Open, Mixed Doubles (Howard Bach), Silver
Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Mixed Doubles (Howard Bach), Gold
Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Women’s Doubles (May Mangkalikiri), Gold
Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Women’s Singles, Gold
Pan American Badminton Championships in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mixed Doubles (Howard Bach), Gold Medal
Pan American Badminton Championships in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Women’s Doubles (May Mangkalikiri), Silver Medal
Pan American Badminton Championships in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Team Event, Silver Medal
U.S. Adult National Championships, Women’s Doubles (May Mangkalikiri), Runner-up
U.S. Adult National Championships, Mixed Doubles (Howard Bach), Champion
U.S. Adult National Championships, Women’s Singles, Fourth Place

2006:

U.S. Open, Mixed Doubles (Howard Bach), Bronze Medal
U.S. Open Women’s Singles, Bronze Medal
U.S. Adult National Championships, Mixed Doubles Champion
U.S. Adult National Championships, Women’s Singles Champion
U.S. Adult National Championships, Women’s Doubles Runner-Up
U.S. Uber Cup Team Member

2005:

World Championships, Participant
U.S. Adult National Championships, Women’s Doubles Champion
U.S. Adult National Championships, Women’s Singles Champion
U.S. Sudirman Cup Team Member
U.S. Pan American Team Member

2004:

U.S. Adult National Championships, Mixed Doubles Champion
U.S. Adult National Championships, Women’s Singles, Bronze Medal
U.S. Pan American Junior Team Member

2003:

U.S. Pan American Games Team Member

2000:

U.S. Adult National Championships, Women’s Doubles, Bronze Medal
U.S. Adult National Championships, Women’s Singles

Howard Bach

Howard Bach was born in Vietnam and immigrated to San Francisco at the age of two. At the age of five, his father brought to the Golden Gate YMCA in San Francisco, where he trained in badminton. When he was sixteen, he was invited to train at the Olympic training facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Bach is very grateful for his family and fiancée’s unending support throughout his career. A charismatic individual, he hopes to be badminton’s ambassador and to change people’s perspective in order to show that it is a serious sport. “It’s not what as easy as it looks like on TV,” he said.

Born: February 22, 1979 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Current Residence: Orange, Calif.
Ethnicity: Vietnamese-born Chinese
Height: 5′10″
Weight: 154 lbs.
Event: Men’s Doubles
Doubles Partner: Khan Malaythong

Did you know? Bach and Tony Gunawan were the first U.S. badminton athletes ever to medal (gold) at a 2005 World Badminton Championship in men’s doubles.Olympic Games:

Career Highlights

2008

Olympic Games, Men’s Doubles (Bob Malaythong)

2007
Pan American Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Mixed Doubles (Eva Lee), Gold;
Men’s Doubles (Bob Malaythong), Silver Medal

2005
World Championships, Anaheim, Calif., Men’s Doubles (Tony Gunawan), Gold

2004
Athens Olympics, Men’s Doubles (Kevin Han), Round of 16

2003
Pan American Games, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic,
Men’s Doubles (Kevin Han), Gold
U.S. Adult Nationals, Singles Champion; Doubles Finalist
Siam Cement Thailand Open - Doubles Champion
Swiss Open - Men’s Doubles
Yonex Japan Open
Korea Open, Men’s Doubles

2002
IBF World Ranked #12 in Men’s Doubles, highest ranking ever for a U.S. team member
U.S. Nationals Men’s Doubles 1st Place; Singles 2nd Place
Realkredit Denmark Open, Men’s Doubles, Round of 16
OCBC/YONEX U.S. Open, Men’s Doubles Finalist

2001
Brazil International, Pan American Champs, Men’s Doubles 1st Place
Pan Am Southern Classic - Champion, Men’s Doubles
World Championship, U.S. Nationals, Men’s Doubles Quarterfinalist
2000 & 2001 USA Badminton Doubles Team of the Year

1999
Pan American Games, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Men’s Doubles (Mark Manha), Men’s Singles, Silver

1998
Southern Pan American International, Men’s Doubles Champion; Singles Finalist

1997
World Championships, U.S. Team Member

Interview by Beleza Chan

How did you start playing badminton?

My dad used to play in the YMCA. At age 5, I started playing in tournaments. At age 16, I was invited to the go the Olympics training site in Colorado.

Did your dad play internationally as well?

My dad played in the Vietnamese National team. His goal was to make the Olympics, but at that time badminton was not in the Olympics. I am here fulfilling his dreams.

What is a typical day like for you?

I train five hours a day everyday: from 7-9 and 4-7. I do weights, run tracks, do footwork, and other drills. When I have doubles training, we play four players against two. I also work part-time at Home Depot because they sponsor me. I work from 9-1, then take a couple-hour nap, and go back to training. It is hard to combine both work and training. It is not like in Europe and Asia where people can play badminton all the time, because in America we don’t have big corporate sponsorships for badminton.

Having been in the Olympics in 2004, does it make you feel more prepared this time around?

Yes, I already know what to expect, and where I want to place in. The first time around, I had lots of energy; I was too focused. It was great to make the Olympics, but I didn’t enjoy it. After winning the 2005 World Championship, I worked more on my confidence.

How would you feel taking the gold in Badminton from the Chinese team on their home turf?

They are the favorites; their women are strong. The U.S. are the underdogs, so there is no pressure. There is more pressure on the Chinese, though, and that might work on our favor. We have more to gain, and they have more to lose. We’ll just have fun.

What are you going to do if you win the gold?

I am going to bite it first to leave my mark. (laughs)

What are your plans after Beijing?

I am not sure about retiring or not. I want to start a career in financing; maybe I will network with Bank of America since they sponsor me and work for them after the Olympics. If I can renew my sponsorship, I might play for another two years.

What obstacles have you overcome to get where you are?

Sometimes when I wake up, I don’t want to go to training. It also took me eight years to finish college. I have been with my girlfriend, now fiancée, for over ten years! I had to move a lot; last year, I was in twenty different countries. Traveling really puts a toll on us — I feel like I live in the airport. Also, in terms of badminton, sometimes I feel that I don’t improve fast enough. It takes a lot of perseverance, hard work, patience and family support.

Do you ever think of quitting?

I want to enjoy other aspects of life like my career. Most of my life has been badminton, and it might be time to move on. I don’t know what’s on the other side of the field. But I will come back, maybe have my own club, coach a high school. Also, my fiancée does not want me to travel so much.

What do you think is the common perception of badminton?

Since the majority of badminton players are Asian, Caucasians think it is an Asian sport. It is popular in Europe though. In America, people have a backyard mentality about badminton; they think it is a silly sport. Actually, badminton is indoors, never outdoors. When people ask me, “How do you play when it rains,” I am like, “Are you kidding me?” Badminton is the second most popular sport in the world, and I want to be the ambassador of the sport.

Do people think you have an advantage in badminton just because you are Asian?

I think that it is more a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you believe you are good because you are Asian, it happens. But I want to show that even though I am American, I can be good too. But even in Europe, clubs hire Asian coaches. It is part of the culture.

Khan “Bob” Malaythong

Born: April 10, 1981 in Vientiane, Laos
Current Residence: Rockville, MD
Ethnicity: Laotian
Height: 5′10″
Weight: 150 lbs
Event: Men’s Doubles
Doubles Partner: Howard Bach

Did you know? Malaythong appeared in a Vitamin Water commercial with partner Howard Bach, Chicago Bears’ Brian Urlacher and Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz.

Khan “Bob” Malaythong came to the U.S. at the age of eight from a small village in Laos. Soon after he moved here, he began training with his brother-in-law, a badminton fanatic, at a nearby recreation center. From the beginning, Malaythong showed talent in the sport, but it was not a smooth ride to get to where he is now. He went through self-doubting phases, but now he is even more persistent individual. Malaythong is also a coach at Villa Park High School, which has won six consecutive California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)-Southern Section championships under his direction. Malaythong said that it took him and doubles partner Howard Bach time to build chemistry and combine their styles into a successful partnership.

Career Highlights

2007 Results:
Irish International Championships, Men’s Doubles (Howard Bach), Gold
U.S. Open, Men’s Doubles (Howard Bach), Silver
Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Men’s Doubles (Howard Bach), Silver
Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Mixed Doubles (May Mangkalakiri), Gold
Pan American Badminton Championships in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Men’s Doubles (Howard Bach), Silver
Pan American Badminton Championships in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Team Event, Silver
U.S. Adult National Championships, Men Doubles (Howard Bach), Champion
U.S. Adult National Championships, Mixed Doubles (May Mangkalakiri), Runner-up
U.S. Adult National Championships, Men Singles, 4th Place

2006 Results:
U.S. Adult National Championships, Men Doubles (Howard Bach), Champion
U.S. Adult National Championships, Mixed Doubles (May Mangkalakiri), Runner-up
Boston Open, Men’s Doubles (Howard Bach), Champion
Thomas Cup Team Finals, USA team member

2005 Results:
World Championships, Participant
Pan American Championships, Men’s Doubles, Champion
SCBA International, Men’s Doubles Runner-Up, Mixed Doubles Quarterfinalist
U.S. Nationals, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles Champion

2004 Results:
Trinidad & Tobago International, Men’s Doubles Champion, Mixed Doubles Quarterfinalist
Canadian Open, Men’s Doubles Semifinalist, Mixed Doubles Quarterfinalist
New Zealand International, Men’s Doubles Finalist, Mixed Doubles Semifinalist
Boston Open, Men’s Doubles, Champion

2003 Results:
U.S. Open, Men’s Doubles (Tony Gunawan), Champion
Thailand Open, Men’s Doubles, Quarterfinalist
U.S. Nationals, Men’s Doubles, Champion

2002 Results:
U.S. Open, Men’s Doubles (Tony Gunawan), Champion
Singapore Open, Men’s Doubles, Quarterfinalist
Puerto Rico International, Men’s Doubles, Champion
Miami International, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Double

Interview by Beleza Chan

What was it like growing up in Laos?

It was rough. We didn’t have much; I didn’t even have shoes. I only had one piece of underwear. I used to eat sticky rice and salt for a meal. We had one piece of meat and that was it. I was malnourished, really skinny but had a big belly. But I was happy. As a little kid you don’t think that there is a better place.

What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to the U.S.?

I thought I knew English, but I didn’t. Laos was colonized by the French, so I was taught French in school. When I took the placement test in America, someone pointed to a garbage can, and I said garbage can in French, so then I realized I did not know English. (laughs) I also threw up when I had pizza for the first time because it had cheese in it, but now I love cheese!

How did you start in badminton?

When I moved to the U.S., I started playing at the club with my brother-in-law. Everything came naturally. I had good hand-eye coordination.

What is it like to play for America and for Laos at the same time?

I have pride in both countries, and I will represent both, but most of all America for giving me the opportunity to be in the Olympics. At Laos, I would never be playing badminton at the professional level because kids in Laos don’t have this kind of opportunity. But if they had, badminton would be natural to children over there.

How is it trying to have a normal life and training for the Olympics?

The process was simpler before when there were only tournaments and trainings. Now, there is media, running errands and training. Things come fast, and you need to manage your time wisely. Also, get rest for sure. I need a nap every time before training.

What will you do if you win the gold?

Go to Disneyland. (laughs) I would love to share it with so many people because I didn’t do it alone.

What are your plans after Beijing?

I am moving to Marvelhead, Mass., to pursue a coaching career. I will be retiring my international career, and I will be coaching the youth team at the badminton club over there.

Why are you retiring?

I am retiring because I want to make a living with my passion in badminton. I love coaching kids and seeing them improve because I have been there. And I will be able to get paid for doing what I love.

What obstacles have you overcome before you got to where you are now?

One of them is self-doubt and wanting to quit sometimes, especially when I didn’t perform well. I couldn’t make a living playing badminton, had no college degree, no work. It was lots of stress. At 25, two years ago, I didn’t have anything. But I feel that you need to face obstacles in order to grow. I put a lot of pressure on myself: I feel that it is either I will make it or I quit it. But I am glad that I found supporters at Orange County Badminton Club. I have been blessed, and to show my appreciation, I will want to share the gold medal with them.

What would you tell people who think that badminton is not a serious sport?

I would tell them that it is the hardest sport. If they would be in the court against me, they would not catch any. After retiring, I want to show the U.S. that badminton is a fun and fast sport to play, and to see that, they have to play against a professional.

Mesinee Mangkalakiri

Born: April 21, 1983 in Los Alamitos, Calif.
Current Residence: Garden Grove, Calif.
Ethnicity: Thai
Height: 5′7″
Event: Women’s doubles

Did you know?: Mangkalakiri enjoys visiting Disneyland.

Mesinee “May” Mangkalakiri’s love for badminton began when a close family friend opened a badminton facility in 1996 and invited her to play. She was named the United States Olympic Committee’s Female Badminton Athlete of the Year in 2001, 2003 and 2005.

Mangkalakiri earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine, in June 2006. She works part-time as a badminton coach at the Orange County Badminton Club in Orange, Calif.

She is most proud of passing on what she has learned to the many kids in the U.S. Badminton Development Foundation/Orange County Badminton Club youth badminton group program.

Career Highlights

2007:

Irish International Championships: Women’s Doubles (Eva Lee) - Silver
Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Women’s Doubles (Eva Lee) - Gold
Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Mixed Doubles (Bob Malaythong) - Bronze
Sudriman Cup in Scotland: U.S. Team Member
Pan American Badminton Championships in Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Women’s Doubles (Eva Lee) - Silver medal
Pan American Badminton Championships in Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Team Event - Silver medal
U.S. Adult National Championships: Women’s Doubles (Eva Lee) - Runner-up
U.S. Adult National Championships: Mixed Doubles (Bob Malaythong) - Runner-up

2006:

Canadian International: Women’s Doubles Champion
Canadian International: Mixed Doubles Semifinalist
Boston Open: Women’s Doubles Champion
U.S. Adult National Championships: Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles Runner-Up
World Championships: Qualified in Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles
Uber Cup Final team member in Sendai, Japan

2005:

World Championships: Participant
OCBC/Yonex International: Mixed Doubles Champion
World Championships: Qualified in Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles
U.S. Adult National Championships: Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles Champion
Region 5 SCBA Classic, Orange, Calif.: Mixed Doubles Quarterfinalist
Pan American Team Championships, Barbados: Silver medalist in team event
Sudirman Cup team member: Beijing, China

2004:

U.S. Adult National Championships: Mixed Doubles Runner-Up
Region 4 Classic, Spokane, Wash.: Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles Champion
2003:

Pan American Games, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Mixed Doubles (Raju Rai), Bronze medal
U.S. Team Member: Sudriman Cup
Thailand Open: Women’s Doubles, Round of 16
Indiana Classic: Mixed Doubles Champion
Indiana Classic: Women’s Doubles Finalist
Mid Atlantic Classic: Women’s Doubles Champion
U.S. Adult National Championships: Women’s Finalist
U.S. Adult National Championships: Mixed Doubles Finalist

2002:

Uber Cup: U.S. team member
SCBA Classic: Mixed Doubles Champion
Pan American Southern Classic: Mixed Doubles Champion
Puerto Rico Open: Mixed Doubles Champion
U.S. Open: Women’s Doubles Quarterfinalist
Taipei Open: Women’s Doubles, Round of 16
Malaysia Open: Women’s Doubles, Round of 16
U.S. Adult National Championships: Mixed Doubles Finalist
Peru International: Women’s Doubles Semifinalist
Dutch International: Women’s Doubles Quarterfinalist

2001:

IBF # 58 Women’s Singles
Uber Cup - U.S. team member
Brazil International: Women’s Singles Finalist
Italy International: Women’s Singles Semifinalist
Puerto Rico Open, Women’s Doubles Semifinalist
Pan American Southern Classic: Women’s Doubles Champion
Pan American Southern Classic: Mixed Doubles Champion

Raju Rai

Born: February 3, 1983 in Atlanta, Georgia
Current Residence: Anaheim, Calif.
Ethnicity: Indian
Height: 5′11″
Weight: 152 lbs
Event: Men’s singles
Did you know? Rai and Olympic teammate, Khan “Bob” Malaythong, have been badminton partners since they were 10.

Bio:

Ranked 68th in the world as of May 2008, Rai would not have qualified for the Olympics in previous years, when only the top 48 players were allowed to compete.
Rai said in 2005 that if he made it to the Olympic Games, he would be satisfied with his accomplishment. He currently studies biology at Santiago Canyon College and has plans to pursue a degree in optometry after the Olympics and eventually become an optometrist.

Career Highlights

2007
U.S. Open, Men’s Doubles, Bronze

2006
Boston Open, Men’s Singles, Gold Medal
U.S. National Championships, Men’s Singles, Gold Medal

2005
SCBA Open, Men’s Singles Semi-Finalist, Men’s Doubles Silver Medalist
Pan American Championships, Men’s Doubles Gold Medalist, Men’s Singles Bronze Medalist
Pan American Team Championships, Silver Medal
U.S. National Championships, Men’s Singles, Gold Medal

2004
U.S. National Championships, Men’s Singles and Mixed Doubles Gold Medalist, Men’s Doubles Silver Medalist
Trinidad Open: Men’s Singles Silver Medalist, Men’s Doubles Gold Medalist
New Zealand International, Men’s Doubles, Silver Medal
U.S. Open, Men’s Singles Quarter-finalist

2003
Pan American Games, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Mixed Doubles, Bronze Medal
Siam Cement Thailand Open, Men’s Doubles
Siam Cement Thailand Open, Men’s Singles

2000
U.S. Junior National Championships, Under 19 Boy’s Singles Finalist
U.S. Junior National Championships, Under 19 Boy’s Doubles Finalist
U.S. Junior National Championships, Under 21 Boy’s Singles Finalist
U.S. Adult National Championships, Men’s Singles
U.S. Adult National Championships, Men’s Doubles
U.S. Open, Men’s Doubles
U.S. Open, Men’s Singles

Interview by Ivan Natividad

How did you get started in badminton?

My father is from India, where badminton originated. It was a passion of his, and I used to tag along. I fell in love with it.

What’s your favorite aspect of the sport?

First, the sport is a combination of physical and mental skills. You need power, coordination and agility. It utilizes a lot of skills you don’t usually need in other sports.

The sport is also so small; it’s like having a big family. Everybody I’ve met along the way has encouraged me. It’s helped my success in the sport. I’ve met a lot of people I consider as my brothers and sisters. It’s something special when people from so many different backgrounds can work together and make each other better, rather then holding each other back.

Do you ever have any time to yourself?

It takes a lot of dedication. It’s a sacrifice you have to make. A normal day, I wake up to practice from 8-11 a.m. I eat lunch, then take an hour nap. When I wake up I have practice for the rest of the night. You don’t live a normal life, but there is nothing I would change. To get the chance to compete in the Olympics and call yourself an Olympian is something a lot of people don’t get the chance to do.

In 2006, you suffered a knee injury that sidelined you for a while. What was the hardest thing about the injury?

The hardest thing for me was I didn’t know if I could ever play again. It was hard to see the positive things, and when you can’t push yourself it gets frustrating. But I used my determination and dedication to get better and on the court as soon as possible, and luckily I had a lot of good doctors and support around me.

My family was really supportive. When you have so many people around you that love and care for you it definitely keeps you going.

Has being an Indian American played a significant role in your success?

In the Indian heritage, people are very loyal and respectful. Many Indians had to work extremely hard to be where they are today. That shows in my matches, like the sportsmanship, pride and respect I have for my opponents.

Do you feel like you’re representing Asian Americans in the Olympics?

I feel like I’m representing the people that didn’t have the opportunity to play this sport. I’m showing that, with great family and support, anything is possible. People who didn’t have much and had to fight for it, those are the people I feel I represent, along with my country.

What are you looking forward to the most about competing in the Olympics?

The most exciting thing is going to be the opening ceremony. It’s an awesome experience. You have so many people from all over the world coming together and competing peacefully, and not fighting, which I think is very important, especially during these times.

What are your goals in the Olympics?

Everyone on the team has the same goal: to bring back a medal. We’re such a close group that we just want one of us to bring back a medal to help the sport grow popular in America.

Why do you think badminton is not so popular in America?

We don’t have enough sponsors, coaches or facilities where we can teach the sport. If we could get more money, we could try and expand its popularity to other states.

You coach a lot. Do you see a lot of APAs taking up the sport?

There are a lot of Asian Americans into the sport. In San Francisco, they opened 9 or 10 clubs in the past ten years. A lot of Asian Americans are joining these clubs, but we need to grow the sport into other states, so it’s not just California.

Badminton

Comments