Koo Kien Keat
PETALING JAYA: National men’s doubles shuttler Tan Boon Heong is eyeing a memorable swansong with Koo Kien Keat when the former world No. 1 pair reunite at the World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, from Aug 25-31.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong’s 7½-year-long partnership ended following the former’s decision to quit the national team in February.
But the duo, who won the 2006 Doha Asian Games gold and 2007 All-England crown, were given an opportunity to compete together again after the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) confirmed their entry.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong qualified on merit as they were ranked world No. 24 on the May 9 cut-off date.
Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong (7th) and Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah (19th) are the other two Malaysian pairs competing in the championships.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong will be making their seventh consecutive appearance in the tournament.
Their best outing was in 2010 when they finished runners-up in Paris.
“We are not setting any target. It will be difficult for us as we have not played together for quite sometime,” said Boon Heong.
“I just hope both of us can go all out in our last competition and put up a good show. We certainly want to end on a high note.”
The 27-year-old added that they have yet to start training together.
“Kien Keat is residing in Thailand (coaching and playing for Thailand-based Granular Badminton Club) and has been busy with his commitment there,” he explained.
“We will probably train together in the last 10 days prior to competition.”
Kien Keat-Boon Heong last played as a pair in the Malaysian Open in January, where they lost in the opening round to China’s Chai Biao-Hong Wei.
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