Zooming in: Hoo Pang Ron and Toh Ee Wei (right) were only paired in June but have progressed well.
PETALING JAYA: National mixed doubles shuttler Hoo Pang Ron aims to break into the world’s top 20 with Toh Ee Wei before the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifying period starts in May next year.
Pang Ron-Ee Wei, who were only paired in June, have progressed well since and are currently ranked No. 40.
They are the highest ranked pair in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and third overall in the country behind independent combinations Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (No. 10) and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie (No. 13).
Now, Pang Ron is looking to do better and put himself and Ee Wei in a good position as he looks to make the cut for the Olympics.
“We want to break into the top 20 before the Olympic qualification period starts in May. This will help us avoid top pairs in the early rounds of tournaments. Our ultimate goal is to make it to the Olympics,” said Pang Ron.
On his partnership with Ee Wei so far, the 24-year-old said: “I can’t say I’m really satisfied as we have yet to produce very good results. We have reached the quarter-finals of a few tournaments and the semi-finals once at the Taiwan Open in July but I feel that we need to up our game to reach a higher level.”
Pang Ron-Ee Wei will need to compete against Kian Meng-Pei Jing and Soon Huat-Shevon for a spot in the Olympics as only two pairs from one country can make the cut provided both are ranked in the top eight before the end of the qualifying period.
Despite the huge challenge, Pang Ron is relishing the task awaiting him and Ee Wei.
“We know Kian Meng-Pei Jing and Soon Huat-Shevon well as they were from the BAM previously. Having strong competition amongt us is actually a good sign as this will help to raise all our standards,” said Pang Ron.
Pang Ron is keeping his fingers crossed, so that he can compete in the French Open in Paris from Oct 25-30 after suffering from an infection in his right eye that had forced him to skip the Denmark Open in Odense from Oct 18-23.
He will be having a final check-up with the eye specialist today to see if he is good to go for France.
A tough opening match awaits them as they have been drawn to face Hong Kong’s world No. 6 Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet.
