logo
Letshanaa's ready with boost from past experience, team bond

Letshanaa's ready with boost from past experience, team bond

The Sun23-04-2025

NATIONAL women's singles shuttler K. Letshanaa is smashing her way to the Sudirman Cup 2025 in Xiamen, China, slated to be held April 27-May 4.
After making her debut at the 2023 edition in Suzhou, China, Letshanaa is showing a new level of confidence, saying she is more than ready for her second shot at the prestigious tournament.
The world No. 52 credited her previous outing and the team's stronger bond this time around for giving her the extra edge she needed to step up.
'Obviously (more confidence). It's the second Sudirman Cup. It's not like the first one. It's going to be a better experience and a better connection with the players.
'I've also been playing with these teammates for such a long time. That's the most positive point at this time,' she said when met after the Sudirman Cup 2025 centralised training camp yesterday.
Letshanaa added that if the coach entrusts her with a chance to play ahead of Malaysia's top women's singles player, Goh Jin Wei, in Xiamen, it would motivate her even more.
'I think the main thing is to be motivated, not to be nervous or scared. As long as I give my best, I think it's a good thing for Malaysia and the team,' she said.
During her Sudirman Cup debut in Suzhou, Selangor-born Letshanaa featured in two matches, securing a straight-sets victory over Australia's Tiffany Ho (21-19, 21-12) in the group stage before falling to world number one An Se Young of South Korea (10-21, 13-21) in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, national mixed doubles shuttler Hoo Pang Ron said he is focusing on sharpening both tactical variety and mental resilience with partner Cheng Su Yin as they gear up for the 2025 Sudirman Cup, following a mixed season.
After finishing runners-up at the China Masters 2024 last December, Pang Ron–Su Yin has managed just two quarter-final appearances in seven tournaments this year.
Malaysia, drawn in Group C, will kick off their campaign against France on April 28, followed by matches against Australia on April 29 and third seeds Japan on May 1.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Tang Jie-Ee Wei find purpose after split as they eye first Super 1000 final
Tang Jie-Ee Wei find purpose after split as they eye first Super 1000 final

New Straits Times

time4 days ago

  • New Straits Times

Tang Jie-Ee Wei find purpose after split as they eye first Super 1000 final

KUALA LUMPUR: From a split just three months ago to a Super 1000 semi-final — Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei's mixed doubles partnership is enjoying a well-timed resurgence. The world No. 4, who reunited only last week after a brief separation, are now riding a wave of form at the Indonesia Open, where they are just two wins away from the biggest title of their career. Their reunion, following a short stint with other partners, seems to have reignited a deeper sense of purpose and maturity in their combination. "During the time we were apart, both of us partnered younger players who had the ability, but didn't always get the chance to play in high-level tournaments," said Tang Jie. "That experience made us realise how important it is to be patient and take more responsibility." Their brief pairings — Tang Jie with Chan Wen Tse and Ee Wei with Loo Bing Kun — gave them a fresh perspective on leadership and accountability, ultimately strengthening their commitment to the original partnership. The results speak for themselves. On Friday, Tang Jie-Ee Wei booked their spot in the Indonesia Open semi-finals with a hard-fought 17-21, 21-16, 21-14 victory over Denmark's Jesper Toft-Amalie Magelund — the reigning European champions — in their first-ever meeting. "It wasn't easy because they're top players too," said Ee Wei. "Our coach kept motivating us and told us to stay confident. We also trusted each other on court." Tang Jie added: "Before the match, we talked about increasing our pace because Toft is a very skilful and tall player. We wanted to play faster to find attacking chances." "In the end, I think my partner led me really well today, and that helped us win." Their momentum in Jakarta marks a clear contrast to their recent struggles. After a disappointing All England campaign in March led to their split, both players went on separate paths. Although they featured together at the Sudirman Cup in May, the reunion was not yet official. That only came at the Singapore Open last week — where they bowed out in the last 16. Now, with confidence restored and chemistry renewed, they are peaking at the right time. Next, they face in-form Thais Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran, who prevented an all-Malaysian semi-final by ousting Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai 21-16, 21-16 in the quarters. The Thai pair lead the head-to-head 2-1, including their most recent win at the Indonesia Masters. But with a place in their maiden Super 1000 final on the line, Tang Jie-Ee Wei will be eager to flip the script and complete their remarkable turnaround.

Tang Jie-Ee Wei clear first round, but yet to regain synergy on court
Tang Jie-Ee Wei clear first round, but yet to regain synergy on court

The Star

time5 days ago

  • The Star

Tang Jie-Ee Wei clear first round, but yet to regain synergy on court

PETALING JAYA: Regaining rhythm and rebuilding chemistry is never easy, even after a short separation. That's the challenge facing mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (pic), who are still trying to rediscover their synergy on court after being reunited recently. The duo cleared their opening hurdle at the Indonesian Open yesterday, defeating India's Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto 21-11, 16-21, 21-14. But it was far from a convincing display. Tang Jie-Ee Wei looked tense at times and struggled to find answers against their resilient opponents, but did just enough to pull through to the second round. 'I think they're always tough opponents because they're aggressive, physically strong and skilful,' said Tang Jie in an interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF). 'Like Toh (Ee Wei), I'm still trying to regain my rhythm on court. That's why we keep pushing, stay motivated and support each other to get it back.' The Indonesian Open in Istora Senayan is only their second tournament back together after the Singapore Open last week, and determined to rebuild their on-court understanding in Jakarta. They were temporarily split at the end of March following a fallout and were paired with different partners. However, less than four weeks later, the issue was resolved and they reunited. They were also key figures in Malaysia's Sudirman Cup campaign in Xiamen, China, in April before briefly going their separate ways. Tang Jie-Ee Wei will need to raise their game in today's second round as they take on Denmark's world No. 23 pair, Mads Vestergaard and Christine Busch. As the tournament's second seeds, the Malaysians hold the upper hand based on past meetings, having won both previous encounters at the 2023 French Open and the 2024 Japan Open. Meanwhile, after two consecutive first-round exits, mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie finally have reason to breathe a little easier. The husband and wife duo ended their early-round jinx in style with a convincing 21-12, 21-16 win over Thailand's Phuwanat Horbanluekit-Sapsiree Taerattanachai in just 31 minutes yesterday. It was a much-needed relief, as their campaigns in the past two editions had ended in disappointment. In 2023, they fell to Indonesia's Rehan Kusharjanto-Lisa Ayu Kusumawati, and last year, they suffered the same fate against Hong Kong's Reginald Lee-Ng Tsz Yau.

Herry hails Aaron-Wooi Yik's fine run as extraordinary
Herry hails Aaron-Wooi Yik's fine run as extraordinary

The Star

time02-06-2025

  • The Star

Herry hails Aaron-Wooi Yik's fine run as extraordinary

National men's doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: It is rare for players to hit the ground running under the charge of a new coach but doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have shown that they are an exception. And even doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi is surprised with how Aaron-Wooi Yik had turned their game around. On Sunday, Aaron-Wooi Yik captured the Singapore Open by beating a formidable pair in Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae of South Korea to make it one of their best years in terms of winning World Tour titles. It was their fourth final appearance this year and third back-to-back finals. They had won the Asian Championships in April and competed in the Sudirman Cup in China before returning to lift the Thailand Open and finishing as the runners-up at the Malaysian Masters. "They have been playing for three straight weeks and still went on to win the title in is extraordinary," beamed Herry. "I think, there was a drop in their physical form in Singapore and that was expected but they made it up with strong determination to win. I'm proud of them. Aaron-Wooi Yik will begin their campaign in the Indonesian Open in Jakarta on Tuesday (June 3) but Herry is keeping the boys on their feet. "I'm not setting any big targets but I just want them to give their best," added Herry. The world No. 3 will take on Denmark's Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard in the opening round.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store