Source: Sipa USA/Sydney
[Saba Sports News] Following the 2016 Olympic Games, the career of former Singaporean badminton player Zi Liang Derek Wong officially came to an end. However, instead of putting down his badminton racket, Derek opened a badminton training center where he coaches more than 40 students aged 5 to 16 part-time. Initially, Derek considered himself a strict teacher, but after nearly eight years of coaching, his teaching attitude has changed. Derek is now a father of two children. His five-year-old daughter has already started playing badminton and other sports like swimming. Derek mentioned that regardless of whether his children choose to follow in his footsteps and become professional badminton players, he will support their decisions. Derek works full-time as a white-collar office worker and takes on coaching duties on weekends. He is fortunate to have the support of his family as he juggles multiple roles. His wife, Neo Yu Yan Vanessa, is also a former Singaporean badminton player who not only takes care of their children and manages family affairs but also serves on the Singapore Sports Council. Despite his achievements in career and life, Derek, who bid farewell to professional badminton many years ago, admits that he still occasionally feels the urge to return to the court.