PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles shuttler Lok Hong Quan hopes his new partnership with Kang Khai Xing can help bring out the best in him when they make their tournament debut together at the Malaysia Super 100, which begins today in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
Parting ways with long-time partner Mohd Faiq Masawi was not easy as they had been together for eight years and won gold at the 2024 Sarawak Malaysia Games (Sukma), as well as the Malaysian International Series title last September.
However, their failure to make an impact at a higher level led the coaching team headed by Herry Iman Pierngadi to split them up as part of the doubles reshuffle.
Hong Quan, 20, believes playing alongside Khai Xing can help him better understand his own weaknesses and what he needs to improve.
Khai Xing also brings more experience at higher-level tournaments and is the defending Malaysia Super 100 champion, having won the title with Aaron Tai last year.
“I think this is a good step for me. This is the second time I’ve had a new partner, so maybe through this I can understand what I’m lacking and what I need to improve.
“I also hope to understand myself better. To be honest, I’m not thinking too far ahead because I don’t want to put pressure on myself.
“I just want to give my best because this is the first time Khai Xing and I are playing together,” said Hong Quan.
Hong Quan-Khai Xing, the sixth seeds, will open their campaign against Taiwan’s Su Ching-heng-Tang Kai-wei in the first round.
Hong Quan’s former partner Faiq is now paired with Wan Arif Wan Junaidi, and the seventh seeds will face China’s Lin Yifan-Yang Jiayi in the opening round.
