"Monster" badminton U70

(Baonghean.vn) -Old man Mai Van Luu in Hung Phuc ward, Vinh city is praised by badminton world as "U70 monster". In the last 3 consecutive seasons of the Provincial Senior Badminton Tournament, Mr. Luu has "won" the championship...

In the 2013 Civil Servants' Union Sports Tournament, there was an old man with white hair and beard who attracted everyone's attention when he went down to the field to demonstrate badminton movements. It turned out that his name was Mai Van Luu, 70 years old this year, a person who was considered by many athletes participating in the tournament as a top badminton "expert"... In this tournament, the badminton teams of the Department of Planning and Investment, the Provincial People's Council, and the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Commission invited him to advise on competition techniques and tactics.



Mr. Luu demonstrates badminton to athletes on the Provincial Gymnasium field.

Watching Mr. Luu demonstrate to the athletes was fascinating. Even though he was old, his steps forward, backward, or split his legs to catch the shuttlecock were neat and rhythmic. And when he dropped or smashed, the opponent often had to give up because he lost his momentum and could not follow the shuttlecock. Because everyone saw an old man with white hair and beard playing shuttlecock in such an attractive style, they turned their eyes to him.

Mr. Luu lives with his wife and children in house number 10 Hecsman Street, Hung Phuc Ward, Vinh City. In his house, he said, his passion for badminton has lasted for more than 20 years, at that time, he was an officer of the Department of Continuing Education, Department of Education and Training.



Mr. Liu and his grandson.

He said: "There are 365 days in a year, so I have the same number of days to play badminton. The passion for badminton has seeped into my blood and flesh..." Because of his passion, whenever there is a badminton tournament, he is there, and he never takes his eyes off the television when there are broadcasts of world badminton tournaments. The lessons he has learned in playing and competing have been formed since then.

For Mr. Luu, to be good at badminton, in addition to having sportsmanship and a strong passion, one must also know how to learn. "I often wonder why people who are good at this sport can cover the entire court, why their smashing force is so strong... Therefore, when I go to the badminton court and see someone good playing, I stop to watch, or if there is a tournament, no matter how busy I am, I cannot miss it. Watch to learn from it..."

Up to now, Mr. Luu's experience in playing and competing in badminton has made him a true "expert". According to him, from standing posture, how to hold the racket, how to advance, defend, run, drop, and hit, all must be learned if one wants to play badminton well. With standing posture, the two feet must never be wider than two shoulders, because if standing wide, it will be very difficult to move, or there will be no stretch or momentum will be lost. When catching the ball, the feet must not be stepped on, but must be split, or when moving, do not take too long steps, but run in a "dark horse" rhythm, all so that if needed to advance or retreat, it is convenient.

In competition, the best defense is to know how to attack. To hit the shuttlecock with high speed and power, you need to use the flexibility of your wrist. In table tennis, when hitting the shuttlecock, you usually close your hand close to your armpit. In badminton, the opposite is true. Your hand must be fully extended and when hitting the shuttlecock, your wrist must be very flexible so that the shuttlecock is fast and powerful. In competition, in addition to the shuttlecock playing technique, the athlete must have a reasonable countermeasure, and even know how to influence the opponent's psychology.

Mr. Luu said: When competing, you cannot only use your hands and feet, your eyes must be very quick. You must know exactly where your opponent is to send the ball to positions where they cannot react in time. Or through competition, when you know what your opponent's weakness is, you can quickly recognize it to exploit that weakness. For example, if you can read the psychology of a young opponent, then drop the ball along the sideline. They often think the ball is out of bounds so they do not follow, and when they discover it, it is too late...

His passion for badminton has brought Mr. Luu many remarkable achievements. Mr. Luu has continuously won the Provincial Senior Badminton Championship 3 times in 2008, 2010, 2012, and many other city and ward level tournaments...

For Mr. Luu, passion for sports trains people to be healthy, alert and flexible. "Therefore, in the family, not only I am passionate, but my children, grandchildren and she - Mr. Luu's wife, Mrs. Le Thi Tung, a former teacher at Huynh Thuc Khang High School, is almost 70 years old this year - are also passionate about this sport...".

Nhat Lan