PETALING JAYA: Doubles shuttler Vivian Hoo knows that time is running out on her to qualify for the Olympic Games.
The 33-year-old and her partner Lim Chiew Sien are currently ranked second behind world No. 9 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah in the race for the Paris Games next year.
The professionals are placed 34th in the world and had a good chance to improve on that but went down fighting 15-21, 21-17, 20-22 to Hong Kong’s Yeung Nga Ting-Yeung Pui Lam in the second round of the Denmark Open in Odense on Thursday.
A place in the quarter-finals would have helped them to get into the top 30 at least.
Vivian, who is one of the most senior shuttlers in the team, is aware of their predicament but she is not ready to throw in the towel yet.
“The chances are slim but we are not planning to give up,” said Vivian, who has not made plans to retire just yet.
“We did well in Denmark and were close to making the quarters but we missed that chance. The satisfaction is knowing that we had given our best.
“I will continue to enjoy the game until one day I decide to retire,” said Vivian, who will head to France Open next.
While Vivian has no plans after retirement, Chiew Sien is expected to play on in the mixed doubles with Wong Tien Chi.
Earlier, Anna Cheong-Teoh Mei Xing, the only other women’s pair in the fray, lost in the opening round. Pearly-Thinaah have skipped the tournament as the former is nursing an injury.
Meanwhile, Malaysia will be banking on Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi to keep the flag flying high in the men’s doubles. Aaron-Wooi Yik face He Jiting-Ren Xiangyu in the quarter-finals while Yew Sin-Ee Yi play home favourites Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen.
