BANGKOK: Mixed doubles shuttler Chen Tang Jie may already be a world and SEA Games champion, but he remains highly charged to make his mark once again in the regional Games.
The 26-year-old Tang Jie finally got his turn yesterday after sitting out the men’s team event, and he made it count when he teamed up with Toh Ee Wei to power past Singapore’s Terry Hee–Jin Yu Jia 21-12, 21-14 at Thammasat University in Pathum Thani to reach the semi-finals.
Tang Jie had to wait patiently for his turn to play after he was not fielded in the men’s team event and received a bye with Ee Wei in the first round.
"I feel really excited to play in the SEA Games with Ee Wei. When we knew we would be competing, we felt that we had a big responsibility," said Tang Jie.
"We are more motivated as we want to deliver the best for our country.
"We are bringing extra intensity into our matches and we are happy with the win today (yesterday)."
World No. 3 Tang Jie-Ee Wei will next take on world No. 13 home pair Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat for a place in the final.
Tang Jie captured the gold in the 2021 edition in Vietnam with former partner Peck Yen Wei and is gunning for the title again this time with debutant Ee Wei.
The duo are the sole mixed doubles representatives left in the Games after Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin went down 12-21, 15-21 to home favourtites Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran.
Meanwhile, in the men’s doubles, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun made it into the last four after overcoming homesters.
Aaron-Wooi Yik ousted Supak Jomkoh-Kittinupong Kedren 21-16, 21-16 while Wei Chong-Kai Wun beat Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul 21-16, 21-19.
Indonesia’s Leo Rolly-Bagas Maulana stand in the way of Aaron-Wooi Yik next.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun will face the winners of the match between another Indonesian pair Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza and Philippines’ Solomon Padiz and Julius Villabrille.
World Championships silver medallists Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are also through to the semi-finals of the women’s doubles after the duo defeated Thai scratch pair Benyapa Aimsaard-Sapsiree Taerattanachai 21-11, 21-14.
Pearly-Thinaah, who are making their debuts in the Games, will next face Indonesia’s Rachel Allesya-Febi Setianingrum.
