Although Malaysia’s men’s and women’s doubles pairs were unable to secure victories in the just concluded Malaysia Masters, their determined efforts showcased a fruitful and productive tournament for the nation.
Both Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah displayed commendable performances in their final matches held at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur earlier today.
Man and Tee narrowly lost 15-21, 24-22, 19-21 to the South Korean pair of Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae, while Tan and Thinaah fell to South Korea’s Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee in a thrilling three-match final, which ended 22-20, 8-21, 21-17.
The Malaysian pairs deserve accolades for their gritty and courageous performance, evoking pride among Malaysians. Although they narrowly missed the opportunity to make history as the first Malaysian pairs to win both the men’s and women’s doubles titles in the same tournament, their valiant efforts and fighting spirit provide hope for Malaysian badminton enthusiasts.
Credit is also due to national doubles coaching director, Rexy Mainaky and doubles coach Hoon Thien How, who have tirelessly worked behind the scenes to support and guide the pairs through extensive training and pep talk sessions.
The commitment and dedication of the players and coaches often go unnoticed, and their contributions to Malaysian badminton deserve appreciation.
In the remainder of this article, I want to focus on the remarkable journey of Tan and Thinaah, the promising women’s doubles pair.
Despite their loss in the final match, the duo displayed an impressive exhibition of badminton, and Malaysians can take great pride in their achievements.
As a spectator, I was deeply moved and wished for their victory, but luck was not on their side today. Nevertheless, they fought hard and secured a resounding victory in the second game. Their performance serves as a testament to their dedication and determination.
Qualifying for the final itself was an inspiring accomplishment for Tan and Thinaah, as many had underestimated their chances of even reaching the semi-finals. During the semi-final, they staged a remarkable comeback in the second game, recovering from an 11-2 deficit to defeat South Korea’s Jeong Na Eun-Kim Hye Jeong with a score of 21-19, 23-21. Their tenacity and unwavering spirit were truly inspiring.
Furthermore, the Malaysian pair created a memorable moment in an earlier round when they engaged in the longest rally in world badminton. Battling against Japan’s Rena Miyaura-Ayako Sakuramoto, they exchanged a record-breaking 211 strokes in the deciding set, with the locals emerging victorious at 16-14. This pivotal moment shifted the game in their favour, highlighting their exceptional skill and fighting spirit.
Several positive aspects are worth noting regarding Malaysia’s up-and-coming women’s pair:
- They continue to improve steadily, gaining confidence and valuable match experience.
- They are developing stronger self-belief, trust, and faith in each other.
- Their youth provides ample opportunity for further moulding and shaping, positioning them as potential winners at the international level.
- Malaysia now holds hope for success in the Paris Olympics through this pair.
However, there are areas where the Badminton Association of Malaysia can focus its efforts:
- Considering their petite stature, the pair could benefit from developing their physical attributes, including building more muscle strength to enhance their smashes at lightning speed.
- Elevating their overall fitness levels, particularly stamina, will be crucial as they prepare for longer rallies.
- Strengthening their mental resilience significantly, especially during challenging situations.
Tan and Thinaah’s success should serve as an eye-opener, demonstrating that Malaysian women have the capability to achieve remarkable results on the global stage.
It is essential to provide increased emphasis and allocate resources to support these talented individuals in future endeavours.
This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Twentytwo13.