SINGAPORE OPEN 2010 FEATURE – Boonsak the Monk

Boonsak Ponsana may not have reached the highest stage of the podium in Singapore, yet he showed once again that he had that special talent and mental strength lacked by […]

Boonsak Ponsana may not have reached the highest stage of the podium in Singapore, yet he showed once again that he had that special talent and mental strength lacked by some other top players. His secret: his philosophy – a way of life.

Raphael Sachetat, live from Singapore. Photos – rights reserved.

A lot of people just remarked that he had shorter hair than last time he performed well in , when he had beaten Lin Dan on road to clinch the title a few years ago.  Little did they know the reason why Boonsak’s hair was so short – the Thai wonder was just back from his Buddhist ordination.

boonsakThis is something all Buddhists have to do once in their life. It can last up to three months, but I didn’t have enough time, unfortunately. I went to the mountains for two weeks, last month, and then I prayed, read books and relaxed my spirit. I forgot about everything while I was up there. No problems anymore, I wasn’t thinking of anything, not even badminton. It freed up my mind even if I wish I had stayed there longer.

The Thai is a Buddhist, with a time in each week devoted to prayers. “It all depends, but this week and last week, I had to take some time off the tournament to pray on Saturday. Maybe it helped me win my match,” he said with a smile.

His religion is, however, taking a big role in his sporting life, as he is having to deal with moments where he cannot train and have to focus on his training process to become wiser.  “It’s ok.  I learn a lot from this way of life. It brings me a lot of important things in my life, even for my career,” he hinted.

Raphaël Sachetat

About Raphaël Sachetat

Raphael is the Chief Editor of Badzine International. He is the founder of the website together with Jean François Chauveau. After many years writing for the BWF and many publications around the world about badminton, he now leads a team of young and dynamic writers for Badzine.