PETALING JAYA: The odds are stacked against our table tennis players to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games but Choong Javen (pic) is not giving up hope.
He has set his sights on winning a medal of any colour to make amends for his previous outing.
But he readily admitted that it will not be a walk in the park as he faces higher ranked opponents from the hosts, India and Nigeria.
At the last Games in Gold Coast, Australia, Javen lost to India’s Achanta Sharath Kamal 3-4 in the round of 64 in the men’s singles.
He then partnered Leong Chee Feng in the doubles but failed to qualify for the quarter-finals after losing to Nigeria’s Quadri Akinade Aruna-Segun Moses Toriola 1-3.
In team event, Javen, Chee Feng and Ashraf Mohd Rizal crashed out in the last eight losing to India 0-3.
“At the last Games, we didn’t do too well and my goal now is to put up a better fight in every match even against higher-ranked players and try to bag a medal of any colour in any event,” said Javen.
“I agree with coach Beh Lee Wei that it will be difficult for the men to win a medal. But that’s not going to stop us from giving our best, show them what we’ve got and fight until the end.
“It’s been four years since the last Games and I think I’ve made some progress.
“We’ve had some good preparations and I really hope it will amount to something in Birmingham.”
The team competed in the South-East Asian Table Tennis Championships in Bangkok from June 23-28 and finished second behind the hosts.
They even extended their stay in the country for two weeks to train with the Thais.
Once back in Malaysia, they invited players from the Philippines to spar with them.
The 21-year-old Javen, who left for Birmingham on Saturday, believes the build-up have been beneficial for all the players.
“Training with them have really improved our game. We look forward to a better outing,” he added.
Javen will team up with Wong Qi Shen in the doubles and Karen Lyne in mixed doubles.
He will also join Chee Feng, Qi Shen and Lee Yong Yi to form the men’s team.
Meanwhile, the women’s team comprises Tee Ai Xin, Karen, Alice Chang and Ho Ying.
