Multi roles: Team skipper Choong Hon Jian may have to play mixed doubles with Go Pei Kee and men’s doubles with Roy King at the Games.
PHNOM PENH: He’s just 22 and has to do without his regular partner while also being team captain in his debut SEA Games.
It may sound very daunting but national doubles shuttler Choong Hon Jian is not wilting.
Instead, the young man is hungry to prove himself.
Hon Jian, who hails from Bukit Mertajam in Penang, has to form a scratch partnership with Cheng Su Yin in the mixed doubles in the Games as his usual partner Go Pei Kee has not been included.
Pei Kee will be focusing on the Sudirman Cup in Suzhou from May 14-21 which clashes with the individual events in the Games (May 12-16).
Choong Jian has also been included in the team event from May 8-11.
“I’m really happy and excited to be named team captain to the SEA Games,” said Hon Jian.
“It’s a huge honour to lead my team. This is my first Games and I will give my all to win medals.”
Hon Jian and Su Yin face a tough task to defend the gold won by Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei in last year’s edition in Vietnam.
It was Malaysia’s only gold that time with Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See winning the silver.
Indonesia have signalled their intent to reclaim the gold won by Praveen Jordan-Melati Daeva in the Manila 2019 by sending their top pair, world No. 10 Rehan Naufal-Lisa Ayu, to Cambodia instead the Sudirman Cup.
While Indonesia have decided to go for experience, Malaysia are sticking with youth.
Another scratch pairing, Roy King-Yap Ling have been selected alongside Hon Jian-Su Yin.
Meanwhile, in the team event, the coaches could spring a surprise by combining Roy King and Hon Jian in the men’s doubles.
In Vietnam, the coaches had chosen to split up Mohd Haikal Nazri from his usual partner Wan Arif Wan Junaidi during the semi-finals against Singapore and combine the former with Tang Jie.
The decision paid off when Haikal-Tang Jie beat Danny Bawa Chrisnanta-Andy Kwek to deliver a crucial point that helped the team claim a fine 3-2 come-from-behind win.
