People’s champion: Lee Chong Wei greeting the Malaysian fans after beating China’s Chen Long in the men’s singles final of the Malaysian Open GP Gold badminton championship in Johor Bharu, Jun 28, 2009. Chong wei won 21-16 21-9. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Chong Wei is being congratulated by Chen Long after the prize giving ceremony. GLENN GUAN/The Star 

Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei celebrating his win over China’s Chen Long in the men’s singles finals clash at the Malaysia Open GP Gold in Johor Bharu, Jun 28, 2009. Chong wei won 21-16 21-9. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei goes for a smash against China’s Chen Long during their men’s singles final clash at the Malaysia Open GP Gold in Johor Bharu, Jun 28, 2009. Chong wei won 21-16 21-9. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Malaysia’s Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong celebrating after winning compatriot Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen in the men’s doubles final clash at the Malaysia Open GP Gold in Johor Bharu, Jun 28, 2009. Koo-Tan won 21-11 21-13. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Malaysia’s Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong make a return against Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen during their men’s doubles final clash at the Malaysia Open GP Gold in Johor Bharu, Jun 28, 2009. Koo-Tan won 21-11 21-13. GLENN GUAN/The Star

China’s Wang Shixian screams in jubilation after defeating compatriot Wang Xin in the women’s singles final clash at the Malaysia Open GP Gold in Johor Bharu, Jun 28, 2009. Wang won 21-16 18-21 21-10. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Making an exit: Malaysia’s Wong Mew Choo walking off with coach Misbun Sidek after losing her women’s singles semi-final clash with China’s Wang Xin, Jun 27, 2009. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Winning expressions: China’s Zheng Bo-Ma Jin celebrate after winning their mixed doubles semi-final against compatriots Zhang Nan-Pan Pan (below) Malaysia’s Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong rejoice after reaching the men’s doubles final. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Agony and ecstasy: Malaysia’s Tan Chun Seang is down and out as China’s Chen Long (below) rejoices after winning their men’s singles quarter-final clash 21-14, 12-21, 21-16, Jun 26, 2009. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Pair on form: Malaysia’s Koo Kien Keat hitting a return to China’s Sun Junjie-Tao Jiaming as Tan Boon Heong looks on during their men’s doubles quarter-final, Jun 26, 2009. Kien Keat-Boon Heong won 23-25 21-8 21-15. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Veteran’s touch: France’s Pi Hongyan returning a shot to Germany’s Juliane Schenk during their women’s singles quarter-final, Jun 26, 2009. Pi won 21-19 26-24. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Lee Chong Wei outplayed China’s Zhou Wenlong 21-18 21-4 to march into the quater-finals.  GLENN GUAN/The Star

China’s Chen Long celebrating his win over Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat at the Malaysia Open GP Gold in Johor Bharu, Jun 24, 2009. Chen won 21-14 20-22 21-19. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Goh Hao Jian goes for a smash as and Pang Zheng Lin looks on during their qualifying match against K.Yogendran-Yeoh Kay Bin, June 23, 2009. Hao Jian-Zheng Lim won 21-12, 16-21, 21-16 to reach the tournament proper. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat during a training session at the City Stadium in Johor Bharu, Jun 22, 2009. Taufik lost to Lee Chong Wei in the final of the Indonesian Open on Sunday. GLENN GUAN/The Star

A CUT ABOVE: Malaysia’s Aruna Santhappan fights for the ball with India’s captain Ramandeep Kaur during their Asian Netball Championship at Bukit Kiara Stadium, Jun 19th, 2009. Malaysia won 78-15. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Malaysia’s captain Nurul Ain Ramlan goes for the ball against India’s Harminder Kaur during their Asian Netball Championship at Bukit Kiara Stadium, Jun 19th, 2009. Malaysia won 78-15. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Malaysia’s Noor Atikah goes for the ball against India’s Rupinder Kaur during their Asian Netball Championship at Bukit Kiara Stadium, Jun 19th, 2009. Malaysia won 78-15. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Indonesia’s Rachmat Latif battles for the ball with Malaysia’s Farderin Kadir and Indonesia’s Elvis Nelson Anes during their friendly match at the Kuala Lumpur football stadium, Jun 13, 2009. Malaysia won 1-0. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Listen to me: Mohd Zaquan celebrates after scoring the only goal of the match for Malaysia. GLENN GUAN/The Star

No let up: Match officials moving in to separate Malaysia’s Mohd Azmi (second right) and Indonesian player Djayusman Triasdi during a heated moment in the match. GLENN GUAN/The Star