'I have to say what I think'

Indonesian men's doubles badminton player Rexy Ronald Mainaky has been in the spotlight since he and partner Ricky Ahmad Subagja took the world top spot in 1993, but he is retiring at the end of this year.

The former chairman of the Players Board has been known for his bad temper on the court and his outspoken behavior that has sometimes upset the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) officials.

Rexy has collected many titles, including winning the 1996 Olympic gold. However, he did not clinch a gold from the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Unfortunately, his age does not allow him to play. The 31-year-old shuttler will start a new career as a coach on Jan. 10 in England. He was appointed to help the England national team improve its performance, especially in the doubles sectors, prior to the World Championships in Seville, Spain, in May. Born in Ternate on March 9, 1968, the father of two spoke to The Jakarta Post's Primastuti Handayani.

Question: If you had a choice, what would you be doing now?

Answer: If I had a choice, I wouldn't be a badminton player. I would set up a small team whose members are former players.

The team's task would be to go throughout the country seeking fresh young talent to be groomed as good players.

Q: Which trait do you most like about yourself?

A: I'm a very outspoken person. I have to say what I think.

Q: And deplore?

A: People say I sulk. But I'm learning to deal with this bad characteristic.

Q: Who do you admire?

A: My parents.

Q: What kind of clothes do you like to wear?

A: Anything casual that makes me feel confident. I don't care about brands, but I love blue clothes.

Q: What was the last book you read?

A: I have never read books. I only read newspapers but The Jakarta Post is not one of them. Ha..ha..ha...

Q: What makes you angry?

A: I hate to see injustice, especially when it happens to the underdog. I guess it's a family characteristic. Most members of the family have this characteristic.

Q: When was the last time you were angry?

A: Every time I'm out on the street. I cannot understand why other drivers, especially of public transportation vehicles, drive recklessly without even thinking of others' safety. And that really makes me sick. So I'm always angry whenever I drive.

Q: What characteristics do you dislike in others?

A: Hypocrisy.

Q: Are we alone in the universe?

A: Definitely not. Without other human beings we can't do anything in the world. Without fans, Ricky and I wouldn't be who we are right now.

Q: What makes you laugh?

A: Whenever I see someone denying something they did and then acting as if he or she didn't do it at all.

Q: And cry?

A: When I'm alone and remember my late father ... The memory of him always makes me cry.

Q: What is your favorite smell?

A: I like the fresh smell of perfume but I don't like any specific fragrance.

Q: If there was something you could change about your appearance, what would it be?

A: People say I'm bad tempered and it reflects badly on my appearance. I want to change that because of my age. Ha..ha...

Q: What makes life worth living?

A: If we can do our best, we must do it.

Q: Do you have a favorite song?

A: Anything romantic.

Q: And movie?

A: Any kind of action movie.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Noodles.

Q: What characteristics do you love in women?

A: If they are caring and passionate.

Q: Do you ever worry about your weight?

A: I'm always worried about my weight. Not only because it can interfere with my performance on the court but mostly because being overweight can cause many diseases. I'm really afraid of getting sick.

Q: Where is your favorite hangout?

A: Home. I love to stay at home during my spare time.

Q: What has been the cost of popularity?

A: My youth. My first ambition was to become a sailor. My time for my family, especially my younger brothers.

Q: What will you do say, 20 years from now?

A: If I live long enough, I want to see my athletes' performance. I also want to see how my kids grow and what they will become. It reflects on my success in educating them.

Q: How would you like to be remembered?

A: I have been known as a temperamental player and I want to be remembered as that. My bad temper has helped me reach all my goals in life. I'm very outspoken off the court and my style is very attractive on the court. People love it.

Q: If the world were going to end in 24 hours, what would you do?

A: Repent.