Jin Wei’s back in the fray but wary of pushing herself too hard

PETALING JAYA: Goh Jin Wei, eager to make a strong impact on the international stage in her latest comeback, has been taking cautious steps to ensure injuries don’t wreak havoc in her career again.

The Korean Open in Suncheon City last week was Jin Wei’s first tournament since the Spanish International in June last year.

Jin Wei was only a reserve and gained promotion due to a number of withdrawals but impressed the field to reach the quarter-finals.

The 2017 SEA Games champion has followed the same path in the Korean Masters in Gwangju City where she advanced to the second round after overcoming Phittayaporn Chaiwan of Thailand 21-12, 19-21, 21-11 in 55 minutes yesterday.

Jin Wei will play Wang Zhi Yi of China, who defeated South Korea’s Sim Yu-jin 21-18, 21-16, in the second round.

Another good showing could open the doors for Jin Wei to join the Uber Cup squad for the Finals in Bangkok from May 8-15.

National singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann said the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will keep their options open regarding the Uber Cup selection.

“Of course, we are looking at options available and for us, anything is possible.

‘‘We still have the time to finalise the Thomas and Uber Cup squads and we don’t want to rush into a decision yet,” said Choong Hann.

In the men’s singles, independent player Soong Joo Ven was also through to the second round when he beat Jason Teh of Singapore 21-8, 21-18.

Joo Ven will play Heo Kwang-hee of South Korea in the second round tomorrow.

Cheam June Wei, seeking a place in the Thomas Cup, plays South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-jin in the first round today.

In the men’s doubles, independent pair Goh V Shem-Low Juan Shen are through to the second round after receiving a walkover from India’s Krishna Prasad Garaga-Vishnu-vardhan Goud Panjala.

Meanwhile, Tan Kian Meng-Tan Wee Kiong will see action today against Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Rambitan of Indonesia while Nur Azriyn Ayub-Lim Khim Wah will play Na Gwang-min-Noh Jin-seong of South Korea in the first round. In the mixed doubles, Chan Peng Soon-Toh Ee Wei defeated Joo Ven-Jin Wei 21-11, 22-20 in the first round.

They will play China’s Zheng Si Wei-Zhang Shu Xian next.