Jin Wei vows to make the best of her first and last YOG outing

Out to carry the flag high: Malaysia’s flag bearer Goh Jin Wei is hoping to return with a gold medal in badminton from the YOG which starts in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

PETALING JAYA: National women’s singles ace Goh Jin Wei is relishing her first experience as Malaysia’s flag bearer and vowed to lead by example at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from Oct 6-18.

The 18-year-old was deservedly picked to carry the Jalur Gemilang as she’s also touted as the nation’s best gold medal hope at the quadrennial Games.

“To lead out the contingent will be a great honour,” said Jin Wei, who left for Argentina on Tuesday night.

“As this is my first time, I’m going to cherish it for a long, long time.

“You only get to compete in YOG once in your life, and it’s now made even more special with the privilege of carrying the national flag.”

Jin Wei hopes she can lead by example by winning Malaysia’s first-ever gold at the YOG since its inception in 2010.

“I’m well prepared for the YOG and 100% focused on winning in Buenos Aires,” said Jin Wei.

“This is only my first YOG appearance and I want to give it my best shot. I want to make sure that I don’t come back with regrets.”

Jin Wei is also aiming for a happy return to South America – her favourite hunting ground – after capturing her world junior crown in Lima, Peru. She flew 30 hours to get there in 2015.

“I certainly have great memories of Peru. So, let’s hope Buenos Aires will be a good place for me as well,” said Jin Wei.

“Despite taking more than a day’s journey, I enjoyed it in South America. I can easily adapt, the weather is really nice there, and I love the food there too.”

Jin Wei, the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games champion, is currently the third highest ranked girls’ singles player in the world behind No. 1 Wang Zhiyi of China and Thailand’s Phittayaporn Chaiwan (No. 2).

The trio, together with another Chinese Wei Yaxin, the world No. 5, are expected to battle it out for the title.

Malaysia, however, are not represented in the boys’ singles event as none made the top-27 cut based on the BWF world junior rankings.

Besides badminton, the 20-member Malaysian contingent will also compete in athletics, diving, swimming, five-a-side field hockey, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, table tennis and triathlon.

The chef-de-mission is two-time Olympian archer Cheng Chu Sian.