Men’s shuttlers offer hope, but women still far away

Striking: Lee Shun Yang and Shaqeem Eiman Shahyar (below) stood out during the team’s semi-finals against Singapore. — AP

IN the end, the target was achieved – amazingly.

The mixed doubles shuttlers saved the day for the badminton contingent by delivering the one gold medal that had been targeted.Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei took the gold and the plaudits while Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See the silver to give Malaysia a happy ending. It was also historic as it was Malaysia’s first mixed doubles gold in 23 years.Sadly, both pairs will be split up after the Games.