KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s mixed doubles pair, Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai, will enter the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) in Ningbo, China, starting this Tuesday, with high spirits despite facing formidable opponents in the first round.
Soon Huat-Shevon will square off against the reigning champions, Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin, a pair they have yet to conquer in their four previous encounters.
For Soon Huat, although their past head-to-head record may seem daunting, it serves as motivation rather than discouragement.
Even in last year’s BAC in Dubai, they defied expectations by clinching the bronze medal, despite not being favoured as top contenders.
“I don’t want to put unnecessary pressure on ourselves for this tournament, especially in the first round where we haven’t defeated the Chinese pair before. Nevertheless, we will analyse and devise the best strategies.
“For us, every tournament presents an opportunity, and though we’re uncertain which one will bring success, the most important thing is to have the right mindset, enjoy, and cherish every match,” Soon Huat told Scoop.
Their recent success in winning the Swiss Open two weeks ago has reignited their spirits after facing several setbacks.
They are now eyeing several potential tournaments to participate in, especially after the conclusion of the Paris Olympic Games in July, as some top players may take a temporary break after the world’s biggest sporting event.
“I think we will try to secure more titles this season if possible because that’s what we aim for as independent players. We won the Swiss Open, a tournament we had never won before, and it has revived our spirits for upcoming tournaments,” he added.
The Swiss Open victory represents Soon Huat-Shevon’s third title in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour, adding to their previous successes at the German Open and Singapore Open in 2018. – April 7, 2024