Pang Ron will always have sister Vivian for support in his career

Victorious: Malaysia’s Hoo Pang Ron (back) and Toh Ee Wei beat teammates Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei in the Japan Open yesterday.

PETALING JAYA: The Hoo siblings may have opted for different paths in achieving their goals but Pang Ron has always received undivided backing from his more established sister Vivian.

While Pang Ron’s career has experienced limited success in the mixed doubles with various partners, Vivian is a two-time Commonwealth Games champion in women’s doubles (with Woon Khe Wei in 2014 and Lee Meng Yean in 2018).

Vivian, 32, left the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) last year to become an independent player while Pang Ron, 24, is with the national body.

Both siblings are currently in Osaka for the Japan Open and have started their campaign on a winning note.

Pang Ron-Toh Ee Wei defeated Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei 23-21, 22-24, 21-17 in an all-Malaysia first round clash yesterday.

Pang Ron-Ee Wei will next play Holland’s Robin Tabeling-Selena Piek in the second round.

Vivian, who partnered Lim Chiew Sien to beat Germany’s Linda Efler-Isabel Lohau 21-17, 23-21, is confident Pang Ron will come good in due time.

“Of course, I want him to do well and will be happy to see him achieve better result than me,” said Vivian.

“I’m always proud as long as he gives his best. He will be successful in his own way.”

In another mixed doubles clash, independent pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie overcame Indonesia’s Rehan Naufal-Lisa Ayu 20-22, 21-19, 21-12 in the first round.

Another all-Malaysia clash will take place today when independent pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing play BAM’s Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See in the first round.