PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto has hailed Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei’s historic World Championships triumph but reminded the pair that their journey has only just begun.
Barely 48 hours after being crowned Malaysia’s first-ever mixed doubles world champions, Tang Jie-Ee Wei have been reaping the rewards of their success.
They have received handsome incentives from the government, with more expected to follow from other parties. Their world ranking has also climbed one rung to No. 3.
The pair also secured an automatic berth in this season’s World Tour Finals in Hangzhou in December, becoming the first Malaysians to qualify for the year-end event.
For Nova, though, he personally hopes Tang Jie-Ee Wei will go on to achieve even more success and, if possible, surpass what he experienced during his playing career.
“Of course I am happy, but as a coach, I want my players to go beyond what I achieved. For me, this is just the beginning for them.
“I hope they will continue to win more titles, especially with the World Championships now held annually,” said Nova.
During his own playing career, Nova lifted the world title twice in 2005 (Anaheim) and 2007 (Kuala Lumpur), won the Asian crown twice and finished with a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
For the record, Tang Jie-Ee Wei were paired up in November 2022, and their triumph at the World Championships in Paris ended their title drought, with their last victory coming at the Korean Open in August last year.
