BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Li Zongwei retired from the military, and his 19-year glorious and great career ended here.
Data chart: Li Zongwei retired from the army and ended his 19-year career
After nearly a year of battling the disease, the Malaysian sports superstar had to leave his beloved badminton court, and his physical condition did not allow him to continue training at high intensity.
Li Zongwei's sweaty figure on the field was finally fixed at the Indonesian Open last July. In September, the Malaysian Badminton Association announced that Li Zongwei had been diagnosed with early nose cancer.
After treatment, Li Zongwei announced at the end of last year that his body was recovering well through a press conference, and the results of the follow-up examination showed that his nose cancer had been effectively controlled. He said he would strive to return to the field and fight for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Data chart: Fighting the Olympic arena again, this is Li Zongwei's dream Photo by Sheng Jiapeng, a reporter from China News Network
For this dream, the 37-year-old Li Zongwei continued to fight the disease, but the recovery process did not go in the direction he expected.
From the All England Championship in March, to the Malaysian Open in April, to the lack of a clear timetable, Lee's comeback plan has been delayed again and again, until fans began to think wildly, like a needle in a haystack.
But every time he was interviewed here, Li Zongwei always avoided talking about retirement, and he always believed that he could return to the field. The sudden illness did not extinguish the flame of the dream in his heart.
Data chart: Sudden arrival of the disease, hot blood is difficult to cool, China News Network reporter Sheng Jiapeng photographed
Until last week, local media exposed that Li Zongwei had not appeared at the training base of the national team for a month. In response, the official response said that this was because Li Zongwei had not received a green light from the doctor. Rao is so, the badminton superstar still denies the idea of "retiring", and he has been training to firmly believe that the journey has not yet reached the end.
However, the persistence of the longest love could not give him a chance to return the opportunity, how could this not make people sad. The torture of injury never brought Li Zongwei to his knees, but his heroic career had to end here.
Li Zongwei retired with tears
When the two words "retirement" came out from between the lips and teeth with difficulty, even a zhengzheng iron man like Li Zongwei could not control the tears in his heart. His greatness allows everyone to understand the persistence and unwillingness in this tear.
It is Li Zongwei's regret that he did not step onto the Olympic arena for the last time; it is our regret that we did not say goodbye to him well.
But there are always regrets in life, but it is just an interlude.
What about not having an Olympic gold medal? The respect li Zongwei has won far exceeds the title of champion.
Chinese fans salute Li Zongwei
More than a generation of Chinese athletes have fought on the field, and for more than a decade, they have been feuding continuously, and they can even make Chinese fans praise when they retire. Li Zongwei's greatness needs no more words.
Li Zongwei is even more different in that he has something in him that we have been missing for a long time or even never had. The greatness interpreted by Li Zongwei has even changed the perception of the championship in the outside world.
Data chart: Li Zongwei's interpretation of the greatness has even changed the perception of the victor in the outside world.
Who is the winner in competitive sports?
Those who stand on the top podium and receive cheers from the fans are the winners, as are those who never say defeat and move forward.
Unlimited love for badminton, inexhaustible desire for victory, unremitting struggle against the disease, and brave responsibility, no matter where in life, Li Zongwei is a victor.
Because of his will to never give up, because of his unwavering persistence.
Data chart: Li Zongwei has something that we have been missing for a long time or even have never had. Photo by Sheng Jiapeng, a reporter from China News Network
I do not seek to be invincible to heaven and earth, but I seek to be worthy of my heart. Li Zongwei did it, he could leave with his head held high, and there were already legends left on the rivers and lakes that belonged only to him.
Like the name of his autobiographical film, Lee Zongwei used his 19-year glorious career to tell an inspirational and moving sports story:
The loser is king!
Data chart: Li Zongwei will usher in a new journey in his career China News Service reporter Zhang Chang photographed
On the occasion of this year's New Year, Li Zongwei, who temporarily left the arena, made three wishes: pay attention to health, love family, and play more badminton. Now is the time for him to start a new phase of his life. Let all the sadness stay here and wish him all the best in the future.
Don't worry about the road ahead, don't know yourself, who in the world doesn't know the king! (End)