Malaysia to have a complete cast in badminton at Rio Olympics

Malaysia's, Woon Khe Wei (left) and Vivian Hoo in action againts China's, Huan Xia and Tian Qing during the Malaysia Open in Putra Stadium at Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysia lose with 21-3 21-10. FAIHAN GHANI/The Star.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will be represented in all five events in badminton for the first time at the Olympic Games.

Eight shuttlers – Lee Chong Wei (men’s singles), Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (men’s doubles), Tee Jing Yi (women’s singles), Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei (women’s doubles) and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles) – have qualified for the Rio de Janeiro Games in August based on the latest ranking list released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Thursday.

The May 5 ranking is being used as the cut-off mark following the end of the 52-week qualification period last Sunday.

Two-time Olympic silver medallist Chong Wei has qualified in second place and will be looking for the elusive gold when he makes his fourth appearance at the Rio Games.

National No. 1 women’s singles Jing Yi is set for her second consecutive start after debuting in London four years ago, where she failed to get past the group stage. She made the top 34 list as the 18th best qualifier.

Meanwhile, V Shem-Wee Kiong and Vivian-Khe Wei have earned their debut appearances after finishing ninth and 12th in the men’s and women’s doubles Race to Rio rankings.

Peng Soon-Liu Ying, who became the first Malaysian mixed doubles pair to play in the London Games, will be hoping for a better outing this time after failing in their debut in 2012. They qualified in eighth spot.

For the doubles events, only the top 16 pairs make the cut for Rio.

At the London Games, Malaysia did not have a pair in women’s doubles after Chin Ee Hui-Wong Pei Tty narrowly missed out on qualification.

But Vivian-Khe Wei, who were not assured of their spot until they were handed a crucial first-round walkover by China’s Tang Yuanting-Yu Yang at the Asian Badminton Championships (ABC) last week, have ensured that history will not repeat itself.

“We’re very excited to be heading for the Olympics ... it’s a dream come true,” said Vivian.

“We did not play well enough, but we’re glad the one-year long qualification period is over now and we’ve made it.

“At one stage, we actually doubted if we could make it. Not only us, I think many people out there actually though we might not qualify.

“Now that we have qualified, we’re going to cherish the opportunity of competing on the world’s biggest stage and get ourselves ready for it.”