PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto has called on shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei to end Malaysia’s 19-year wait for a medal in the mixed doubles in the World Championships.
Koo Kien Keat-Wong Pei Tty, who captured bronze in the 2006 edition in Madrid, have been the country’s sole medallists in the mixed doubles in the world meet so far.
Nova has set Tang Jie-Ee Wei a minimum target of reaching the last four in the tournament this time from Aug 25-31 in Paris, which will guarantee the duo at least a bronze.
The Indonesian believes that his charges have a genuine chance of making the semi-finals as they will be seeded fourth in the prestigious event.
"Looking at Tang Jie-Ee Wei’s seeding, they should at least reach the semi-finals and win a medal.
"Luck has not been good for Malaysia in the mixed doubles in the World Championships.
"Hopefully this time we can deliver better results," said Nova after overseeing a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara on Tuesday (Aug 12).
Tang Jie-Ee Wei’s status as fourth seeds will see them avoid China’s top two seeds Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping and Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin as well as Thailand’s third seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran at least until the semi-finals.
The draw for the world meet will be released on Wednesday (Aug 13).
Nova hopes Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who have had an unsatisfactory year so far, can rise to the occasion and prove their mettle.
The world No. 4 pair have not reached a final since finishing runners-up in the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou last December.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei were stopped in the semi-finals five times in the Opens in Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Japan and Macau.
