PETALING JAYA: It’s not easy to win a title at the twilight of one’s career but mixed doubles star Chan Peng Soon has just done it.
The 35-year-old Peng Soon lifted the KL Masters title with his partner Cheah Yee See after outplaying world No. 72 Pakkapon Teeraratsakul-Phataimas Muenwong of Thailand 21-9, 17-21, 21-10 the final at the Titiwangsa Stadium yesterday.
It was world No. 44 Peng Soon-Yee See’s first title together since reuniting last year and first title in six years.
Peng Soon said the win had come at the right time as he would be retiring next year.
“I’m very happy to win the title and it means even more to win it on our home soil and at this age,” said Peng Soon, whose peak moment was winning a silver with former partner Goh Liu Ying at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
“Even though it is just a Super 100 (World Tour tournament), I am proud of us.
“I’m planning to retire next year, but will still continue to work hard for the time being.
“My body condition is not like the young players anymore. I would have body ache after having tough training, but it didn’t stop me from attending my training sessions.
“I will just make adjustments during training if I couldn’t handle the intensity.”
Peng Soon and Yee See have been struggling in higher tier World Tour events this year and had suffered early round exits in all their tournaments except for the Orleans Masters in April where they reached the quarter-finals.
Peng Soon had last reached a final with Yee See at the 2017 Russian Open where the pair had gone on to win their only title together.
The 35-year-old Peng Soon is planning to retire next year, with April as the earliest possible retirement date when the qualification period of the 2024 Paris Olympics ends.
He is not in the running for the Olympics with Yee See due to their low world ranking but wants to enjoy every tournament with Yee See before he finally retires.
“It was my dream to make my final appearance in the Olympics, but it is going to be extremely tough for Yee See and I to qualify now,” said Peng Soon.
“So, we’ve changed our mindset ... we will still keep going forward but one step at a time. We will work hard, give it our best without thinking too far ahead in tournaments.”
Yee See said she had different feelings compared to their previous victory.
“Back then, I had a long future ahead of me and there was a lot of room for improvement,” said Yee See.
“However this time, my partner is retiring soon, so it is very important for me to enjoy every match with him.”
Meanwhile, there were more cheers for Malaysia as world No. 43 Leong Jun Hao stunned Taiwan’s world No. 37 Lee Chia-hao 22-20, 21-13 to clinch the men’s singles title.
It was Jun Hao’s first title of the year.
However, world No. 49 Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong could not make it a day of triple joy after going down 21-23, 17-21 to Taiwan’s No. 72 Chen Cheng-kuan-Chen Sheng-fa in the men’s doubles final.
Men’s singles: Leong Jun Hao (Mas) bt Lee Chia-hao (Tpe) 22-20, 21-13. Men’s doubles: Chen Cheng-kuan-Chen Sheng-fa (Tpe) bt Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong (Mas) 23-21, 21-17.
Women’s singles: Pitchamon Opatnipuh (Tha) bt Kim Joo-eun (Kor) 21-12, 24-22.
Women’s doubles: Laksika Kanlaha-Phataimas Muenwong (Tha) bt Lui Lok Lok-Ng Wing Yung (Hkg) 16-21, 21-16, 21-16.
Mixed doubles: Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See (Mas) bt Pakkapon Teeraratsakul-Phataimas Muenwong (Tha) 21-9, 17-21, 21-10.
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