PETALING JAYA: While many national shuttlers are using the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China, as a tune-up for the Thomas and Uber Cups, mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei are focused firmly on defending their world title.
The duo will not feature in the team event in Horsens, Denmark later this month, but their campaign in Ningbo, which begins today, marks a crucial step in building momentum towards the World Championships in New Delhi this August.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who made history last year by becoming Malaysia’s first mixed doubles world champions, will open their campaign against China’s Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi in Ningbo.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky stressed that their schedule has been carefully planned with the bigger picture in mind.
“We have to look further ahead. After this, they will compete in the Malaysian Masters, Singapore Open and Indonesian Open before the World Championships,” said Rexy.
“They need to start preparing now if they want to defend their title.”
Currently, Ee Wei is reported to have fully recovered from the abdominal injury that had troubled her earlier, providing a timely boost for the national camp.
“Everything is okay. I have spoken to her (Ee Wei), and based on my observations during training, she does not have any issues.
“She is moving well in training and shows no signs of discomfort. There are no concerns,” he said.
At the same time, Tang Jie-Ee Wei, along with several other elite national players, will also prepare for another major assignment at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya from Sept 19-Oct 4.
The Malaysian camp is aiming to improve on their showing at Hangzhou 2022, where they managed only a bronze medal through men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
“If we look at the Asian Games, in the last edition our best achievement was just a bronze medal.
“So we hope the progress shown by our elite players can translate into a better result this time,” said Rexy.
