KUALA LUMPUR – Undeterred by persistent health challenges, Goh Jin Wei remains an unwavering source of inspiration for her fans, consistently demonstrating dedication and hard work in every tournament she graces.
The independent women’s singles shuttler has battled a stomach ailment, leading to a colectomy surgery in 2019, which subsequently impacted her form on the court.
Despite these adversities, her recent triumph in the opening round of the Malaysia Open holds profound significance.
Facing world number 30 Sung Shuo-yun of Chinese Taipei at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Jin Wei displayed resilience and skill, clinching victory in straight sets with scores of 21-18, 21-11 in a brisk 40-minute match.
Speaking to the media after the match, the two-time world junior champion addressed her health journey, insisting that she is still the same person.
The 23-year-old said the positive impact of new medication had been helping her cope with health complications.
“This is the old me but I’m trying new things. There is still one more game to go tomorrow.
“I’m trying my best to go beyond my limit every day. Sometimes I get cramps multiple times a day but I still have to work out.
“Then I need to wake up for the next day to go to training, this is what I’m doing,” she said.
Reflecting on her upcoming challenge, Jin Wei expressed anticipation for the second round where she is set to face world number seven Gregoria Mariska Tunjung of Indonesia, the 2017 junior world champion.
In another match, independent mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon and Cheah Yee See swatted aside the challenge from Chinese Taipei’s world number 35 pair Chang Ko-chi and Lee Chih-chen, 11-21, 26-24, 21-8, in just over an hour.
Peng Soon said the rousing support of the local fans inside the arena spurred them to victory.
“Yeah, we lost the first set and they were leading in the second but we did not dare give up because of the fans’ amazing support so we fought until the end,” he said.
They will next play sixth-seeds Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin of China in the second round.
However, not all Malaysian pairs experienced the same fortune on day two of the tournament, as women’s doubles pair Go Pei Kee-Low Yeen Yuan succumbed to tournament seventh-seeds Zhang Shuxian-Zheng Yu of China, 21-13, 21-13 in a 46-minute match.
Similarly, Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien faced a tough battle against the world number 16 Chinese pair Li Wenmei-Liu Xuanxuan, ultimately losing 21-15, 21-16. – January 10, 2024