On the rise: Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei.
PETALING JAYA: Chan Peng Soon has a new year wish and that is for one of the mixed pairs to do better than him at the Malaysian Open from Jan 7-12 at Axiata Arena in Bukit Kiara.
Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying were the last mixed pair to reach the final of the home tournament in 2016 before losing to Tantowi Ahmad-Lilyana Natsir of Indonesia in the final.
They also lost to the same pair in the final of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro that year.
“Based on the current set of players, I think we have a chance of going far in the home tournament. It will be nice to see winners in this department after a long time,” said Peng Soon.
Malaysia last won the mixed doubles title through Teh Kew San-Ng Mei Ling in 1965.
At the next edition, the hosts will be banking on Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin and professionals Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing.
Peng Soon says the retirement of several players, including Zheng Siwei of China, has opened up the race.
Siwei has won the Malaysian Open five times with two different partners – Chen Qingchen (2017) and Huang Yaqiong (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023).
“China used to dominate this event but now I see newer pairs and partnerships.”
Peng Soon is proud of Tang Jie-Ee Wei and Pang Ron-Su Yin.
On paper, Tang Jie-Ee Wei have a good chance but they must give their best. Ron and Su Yin have also shown a lot of improvement,” said Peng Soon.
“Ee Wei is like Liu Ying, she does not fear anyone and is brave on court. Su Yin will have to improve on this.”
Although Peng Soon has retired from competitive badminton, he is still very much involved in the sport.
On Dec 14, he officially launched the Malaysia’s largest indoor air-conditioned Pickleball Venue and CPS Subang – a centre that has 16 badminton courts and 18 pickleball (the largest in Malaysia) at 91 Sports Arena @ Giant USJ.
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