PETALING JAYA: Indonesian coach Nova Widianto has quietly etched his name as one of Malaysia’s most successful badminton tacticians.
Twenty years after lifting his first world title with Liliyana Natsir in 2005 and a second in 2007, Nova has now guided Malaysia’s Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei to their maiden world crown in mixed doubles.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei were rock solid in their 21-15, 21-14 triumph over China’s Jiang Zhengbang-Wei Yaxin in the final at the Adidas Arena in Paris on Aug 31, sealing Malaysia’s first-ever mixed doubles title.
It was Nova who orchestrated their reunion after a five-month split earlier this year and his faith paid off handsomely as the duo rose from uncertainty to become world champions.
