PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (pic) have extra motivation to continue their stunning form.
Tang Jie and Ee Wei both visited their respective schools after their historic world title in Paris and received encouragement from their former teachers to build on their achievement.
Tang Jie went back to SJK (C) Pei Hwa in Pedas, Negri Sembilan, while Ee Wei visited SJK (C) Wen Hua in Melaka.
“It was a special moment for me and Ee Wei to go back to our schools. We were happy to make our schools proud,” Tang Jie told the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
“Our former teachers told us to keep it up and they will keep supporting us.”
Ee Wei said: “Everyone was happy for us. This victory is for all of them. I hope many youngsters will also play badminton for Malaysia.”
Tang Jie-Ee Wei made a winning return after their heroics in Paris by sweeping aside Americans Chen Zhi-yi-Francesca Corbett 21-12, 21-14 in just 31 minutes in the China Masters first round at the Shenzhen Arena yesterday.
The world No. 3 pair will take on Indonesia’s world No. 12 Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu next for a place in the last eight.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei are determined to re-focus after their high in Paris.
“We are trying to regain our rhythm. We are starting from scratch again,” said Tang Jie.
“It might look like we have been busy attending events (over the past two weeks) but we have been training too. Things are not different for us.”
Tang Jie-Ee Wei will be tested against rising duo Jafar-Felisha, who gave them a tough fight before losing in three games in the third round of the world meet.
Overall, the reigning world champions have the advantage as they have never lost to the Indonesians, winning all three of their past encounters.
Meanwhile, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin also booked their spot in the second round after a commanding 21-6, 21-14 win over Indonesia’s Adnan Maulana-Indah Jamil.
World No. 14 Pang Ron-Su Yin though have a tough challenge in the second round against home favourites and world No. 1 Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping.
Yanzhe-Dongping are in fine form after capturing the Hong Kong Open title on Sunday.
Pang Ron-Su Yin lost to Yanzhe-Dongping in the quarter-finals in Hong Kong and have never beaten the latter.
