PETALING JAYA: Malaysia are going big in badminton for the SEA Games in Thailand from Dec 9-20, with world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei set to lead the charge but even with a powerhouse line-up, a medal sweep will be far from easy.
It is learned that the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are likely to send their elite squad to maximise the nation’s chances as they predict the competitions to be intense across all events.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei are likely to be joined by national No. 1 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles), Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women’s doubles) and Leong Jun Hao (men’s singles).
The others in the team are expected to be Justin Hoh (men’s singles), K. Letshanaa, Wong Ling Ching (women’s singles), Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (men’s doubles) and Teoh Mei Xing-Go Pei Kee (women’s singles).
In the mixed doubles, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin were the frontrunners to join Tang Jie-Ee Wei in Thailand but Su Yin’s ankle injury will probably see another pair being named, instead of them.
Despite the quality in the team, it is not expected to be easy for Malaysia as hosts Thailand and Indonesia will both provide stern competition.
The Thais are sending their best players too including 2023 men’s singles world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn and world No. 3 mixed doubles duo Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran.
While the Indonesian National Badminton Association (PBSI) have not released their team yet, but they are expected to send their top players too.
Malaysia sent a combination of back-up players and juniors in the past two editions in 2021 (Vietnam) and 2023 (Cambodia) and only won one gold.
Tang Jie captured the mixed doubles title in 2021 with former partner Peck Yen Wei.
The last time Malaysia won more than one gold was in 2019 in Manila when BAM sent the big guns and were rewarded with titles from Lee Zii Jia (men’s singles), Aaron-Wooi Yik and S. Kisona (women’s singles).
