PETALING JAYA: National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky is taking a cautious approach for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games by setting Malaysia a target of at least a silver medal.
With less than two weeks before the Games, the Indonesian admitted there are still several things to work on but is confident the coaching team can have the players in their best condition for Aichi-Nagoya.
That includes women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, who are still trying to rediscover their winning touch, while mixed doubles shuttler Chen Tang Jie is still building chemistry with Cheng Su Yin in the absence of Toh Ee Wei, who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
The draw for the individual events could also have a major bearing on Malaysia’s medal hopes, especially for a scratch combination like Aaron Chia-Tee Kai Wun.
Deep down, however, Rexy believes Malaysia are capable of returning with more than just one medal.
“For now, we have to be realistic with our target. Of course, we are looking at Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin, but that does not mean we are putting Aaron Chia-Kai Wun aside,” said Rexy. “With Aaron-Kai Wun, we have to be prepared for any kind of draw because they can be placed anywhere.
“It is the same with Pearly-Thinaah. They are outside the top four seeds and that will affect their draw as well.
“The same goes for Tang Jie and his partner, but we have not lost our motivation. For now, our target remains one silver and one bronze because we feel that is realistic,” said Rexy.
Malaysia’s wait for an Asian Games badminton gold has stretched to 20 years, with Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong the last to deliver when they won the men’s doubles title at the 2006 Doha edition.
Aaron, meanwhile, won a bronze medal with Soh Wooi Yik at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.
With Aichi-Nagoya approaching, the national squad are currently undergoing an intensive training camp at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) Bukit Kiara, with independent pairs Sze Fei-Izzuddin and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie also invited to join the sessions.
Rexy, however, has given both pairs the flexibility to either train with the national squad at ABM or continue with their own training programmes in Sri Petaling.
“We have given them the opportunity to train with us until we leave for the Games, but we leave it to them depending on their availability.
“So far, we have worked things out with the players and their coaches, and everything has been settled,” added Rexy.
