Losing steam: Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun have suffered early exits this year.
PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun must change their mindset to become contenders for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky wants Wei Chong-Kai Wun, currently ranked No. 25 in the world, to show more maturity after a string of disappointing results .
The pair had captured the Taiwan Open last July but have failed to maintain their form since, suffering early round exits in all their outings including the Malaysian and Indian Opens this year.
“Wei Chong and Kai Wun have proven that they have a winning mentality after capturing both the Syed Modi International in India (in January) and Taiwan Open last year.
“Their performances after that though, have not been good and they need to become more mature in their thinking to improve and fight for a spot in the Olympics.
“They cannot afford to rely on merely competing to gain ranking points,” said Rexy.
Following the decision of another pair, world No. 12 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to split, Wei Chong-Kai Wun are now the best-placed pair in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to fight for a spot in the Olympics behind world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun though, need to up their game ahead of the start of the one-year Olympics qualification period in May to stand any chances of overtaking independent pair and world No. 8 Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi.
A country is allowed a maximum of two pairs in the Olympics, provided both finish in the top eight before the end of the qualification period.
“A lot of hard work is needed to mould Wei Chong-Kai Wun into a pair capable of making the cut for the Olympics.
“Perhaps, before this, they have been thinking that Aaron-Wooi Yik and Sze Fei-Izzuddin are both ahead of them in the Olympics qualification battle but now they need to change their mindset,” said Rexy.
