JAKARTA: Shuttlers Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying became the country’s first mixed doubles pair to break into the top 10 bracket in the world – proving that Malaysia do have talent in this department.
And their breakthrough should be an inspiration to others, especially the two lesser known Malaysian pairs – Ong Jian Guo-Sabrina Chong and Mohd Lufti Zaim Abdul Khalid-Lai Pei Jing, who are getting ready for action in the Games.
National doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her praised Peng Soon-Liu Ying for their self-belief and sacrifices over the last two years that has seen them move up six rungs to No. 9 in the world in the list released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) yesterday.
It was their second title, having won the Asian Badminton Championships (ABC) title in India last year.
“This is a big boost for the mixed doubles department (currently under the charge of Jeremy Gan). We never had a mixed pair in the top 10 before,” said Kim Her.
“It should give Peng Soon and Liu Ying a lot of confidence going into next year’s London Olympic Games.
“Both sacrificed their men’s and women’s doubles events to give full attention to the mixed doubles. Not many are willing to make that sacrifice but they did and they are now reaping the reward.”
Malaysia used to depend on players like Koo Kien Keat-Wong Pei Tty and Chew Choon Eng-Chin Eei Hui in the mixed doubles events but their partnerships never lasted as they were more focused on their men’s and women’s doubles events respectively.
With Peng Soon-Liu Ying having proven themselves, Kim Her hopes to see Jian Guo-Sabrina and Lutfi-Pei Jing defy the odds in their first Games outing.
“It is a three-pronged battle among Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore for the mixed doubles title. But, I hope this time, these newcomers will make their presence felt. They can be like Peng Soon-Liu Ying.”
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