PETALING JAYA: It has been three years since former No. 1 mixed pair Goh Liu Ying-Chan Peng Soon played badminton together after going different ways in 2021.
But one sport has brought them together – and it’s none other than pickleball.
This year, Liu Ying and Peng Soon has been playing the fast-growing sport for fun and during social game competitions too. Pickleball has a mix of different racquet sports elements in it.
“We used to battle on the badminton court, and now we meet each other at the pickleball court. It’s quite funny,” said Liu Ying.
“We are not a pair though but we play for fun with different partners.”
Liu Ying-Peng Soon did the country proud by winning a silver medal at the Rio de Janerio Olympic Games in 2016.
The 35-year-old Liu Ying retired at the 2023 Malaysian Open in January and got married.
She has a child Tee Khai Xian but has kept herself busy with family and few things – managing GLY badminton academy, sports agency Wellsport and gown rental shop Tuilerie.
She mooted the three-on-three badminton competitions last year, which was open to the public, to add more excitement in the sport.
“I just can’t keep away from the sport. I don’t play badminton much for fear of injury but I’ve been quite fascinated with pickleball. It’s quite easy to pick up, and more so if you have racquet sport background,” she said.
“The court is the same size with badminton but we play on a smaller area, as some areas are restricted.
“I don’t fear getting injured as I would be when I play badminton. It’s more for social game and when I compete, it’s also for fun.”
She however, still follows top level badminton and is happy to see more mixed pairs fighting for honours for country – Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing.
While Liu Ying is fully occupied, Peng Soon, who also hung up his racquet early this year after playing briefly with Cheah Yee See, has gone one step better to launch a hall in USJ 1 with a massive 16 badminton courts and 18 pickleball courts.
“I’m doing badminton coaching now (at his own CPS badminton academy) but at the same time, I’ve picked up pickleball.
"It’s not so tough on a 36-year-old,” joked Peng Soon.
“I find this sport suitable for all ages and I’ve decided to ride on it.
“I’m not sure how the future of this sport will be but for now, there is a lot of following. But I guess, if one wants to be a pro in pickleball, they have to do lots of practice too.
“My first love is still badminton,” added the father of four children.
Peng Soon’s official grand launch of the new badminton and pickleball venue will take place next month.
The presence of Liu Ying-Peng Soon may be missed on the international stage but the duo are certainly doing their part to keep the sport thriving at the lower level.
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