Latest news with #KianMeng
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Serving in new capacity
Getting the hang of it: Tan Kian Meng is currently working with mixed doubles pair Callum Hemming and Estelle Van Leeuwen after joining Badminton England as a guest coach. PETALING JAYA: There was a familiar face making waves at the China Open in Changzhou last week as former mixed doubles shuttler Tan Kian Meng took his first steps into the world of coaching. Kian Meng, who retired in March after his final outing at the All-England with partner Lai Pei Jing, had initially planned to focus on product sales and reviews on online platforms. He was hesitant to enter the coaching scene due to the stiff competition and the saturated badminton academy landscape in Malaysia. But an unexpected opportunity came his way when he was invited to join Badminton England as a guest coach. For the 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, the offer was a golden opportunity to broaden his horizons and chart a new path following his retirement as a player. 'Actually, I see this as a great opportunity for me to learn. I've been with the England camp since last month after being invited to serve as a guest coach for a month. 'But now I've been assigned to accompany the players to several scheduled tournaments, and I feel this is a valuable experience for me,' said Kian Meng when contacted. Kian Meng is currently working with mixed doubles pair Callum Hemming and Estelle Van Leeuwen, who are set to compete at the Macau Open this week. The duo will take on China's Hong Yili-Huang Kexin in the opening round. Last week in Changzhou, Hemming-Van Leeuwen were knocked out in the first round by Denmark's Mads Vestergaard and Christine Busch. Kian Meng is also coaching the world No. 14 men's doubles pair Ben Lane-Sean Vendy. He is expected to remain with the England team until the China Masters in September. Kian Meng is not the first Malaysian to lend his expertise to Badminton England. The national body had previously enlisted former internationals Koo Kien Keat and Datuk Cheah Soon Kit as guest coaches to help develop their players.
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Kian Meng savours his first steps into world of coaching
PETALING JAYA: There was a familiar face making waves at the China Open in Changzhou this week as former mixed doubles shuttler Tan Kian Meng took his first steps into the world of coaching. Kian Meng, who retired in March after his final outing at the All-England with partner Lai Pei Jing, had initially planned to focus on product sales and reviews on online platforms. He was hesitant to enter the coaching scene due to the stiff competition and the saturated landscape of badminton academies in Malaysia. But an unexpected opportunity came his way when he was invited to join Badminton England as a guest coach. For the 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, the offer was a golden opportunity to broaden his horizons and chart a new path following his retirement as a player. 'Actually, I see this as a great opportunity for me to learn. I've been with the England camp since last month after being invited to serve as a guest coach for a month. 'But now I've been assigned to accompany the players to several scheduled tournaments, and I feel this is a valuable experience for me," said Kian Meng when contacted on Sunday (July 27). Kian Meng is currently working with mixed doubles pair Callum Hemming and Estelle Van Leeuwen, who are set to compete at the Macau Open starting on Tuesday. The duo will take on China's Hong Yili-Huang Kexin in the opening round. This week in Changzhou, Hemming-Van Leeuwen were knocked out in the first round by Denmark's Mads Vestergaard and Christine Busch. Kian Meng is also coaching the world No. 14 men's doubles pair Ben Lane-Sean Vendy. He is expected to remain with the England team until the China Masters in September. Kian Meng is not the first Malaysian to lend his expertise to Badminton England. The national body had previously enlisted former internationals Koo Kien Keat and Datuk Cheah Soon Kit as guest coaches to help develop their players.
The Star
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Pei Jing accepts invite to spar with French shuttlers
PETALING JAYA: Independent mixed doubles shuttler Lai Pei Jing has accepted an invitation to spar with the French team ahead of the World Championships from Aug 25-31 in Paris. The experienced Pei Jing was approached by French coaches when she was competing with Jimmy Wong in the Luxembourg Open in May. "During a tournament in Luxembourg, French coaches approached me and asked if I was interested in sparring with their players. "I spoke to my coach (Teo Kok Siang) about it because the players here (in Malaysia) also need me. "But he understood that I needed the money, so he gave me his blessing. "This is my first time serving as a sparring partner for another country – but my heart remains with the Malaysian players," said Pei Jing. The French team, which includes world No. 8 Alex Lanier (men's singles) and world No. 7 Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue (mixed doubles) will definitely be eyeing a good showing in the world meet at home. Pei Jing, who will turn 33 in August, made nine appearances in the world meet, three with Tan Aik Quan and six with Tan Kian Meng, and came closest to winning a medal in 2022 when she and Kian Meng reached the quarter-finals. Pei Jing ended her partnership with Kian Meng in March after the latter decided to retire from the sport.
