SINGAPORE OPEN 2010 FEATURE – Boonsak the Monk

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 Singapore Open, 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.

“This 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.