Chou shows how to stay top

Sharing is caring: Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen is back in Malaysia to train with Soong Joo Ven, Cheam June Wei and several others. — AP

PETALING JAYA: There is nothing flamboyant about Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen but there is so much to learn from the philosophical shuttler.

Independent player Soong Joo Ven had the chance to train with Tien-chen when he was in Kuala Lumpur for the Malaysian Open and the Malaysian Masters last month. And the world No. 4 singles player is back in Malaysia to train with Joo Ven, Cheam June Wei and several others at Sports Affairs again to prepare for the World Championships in Tokyo (Aug 21-28).

Joo Ven is grateful the Taiwan shuttler has chosen to return to the club.

“Tien-chen has so much of experience to share. It’s a privilege for us to train with a top class player like him,” said Joo Ven.

“It all started during his trip for the Malaysian Open and Masters where he joined us for training.

“I told him that he is more than welcome to return and he decided to come back to train here.

“He gives a lot of advice and will share his experience. He is so humble that at times, he will ask if I have any tips to improve his game.

“He is a very easy-going person and we gain a lot just by training with him. The juniors attached to our club are also inspired by his presence.”

Joo Ven said Tien-chen will regularly stop over for training and has also asked him and June Wei to join him to train in Taiwan.

Sports Affairs is also the training base of Paralympic champion Cheah Liek Hou and women’s singles player Goh Jin Wei. They are coached by Indonesian Nova Armada.

Tien-chen is seeded fourth and begins his World Championships campaign against Sai Praneeth of India and faces a tricky last-16 clash against up-and-coming Hong Kong shuttler Lee Cheuk Yiu.

He will be leaving for the world championships this Thursday.