Latest news with #SoonHuat-Shevon
The Star
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Peng Soon believes mixed pairs can end 13-year wait for title
PETALING JAYA: Former Rio Olympic 2016 silver medallist Chan Peng Soon is hoping that Malaysia will smash their 13-year long wait for a Japan Open title in the mixed doubles this year. Malaysia have two representatives in the quarter-finals – husband-and-wife duo Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei. Soon Huat-Shevon delivered a commanding performance to beat Singapore's Terry Hee-Jin Yu Jia 21-14, 21-17, while Tang Jie-Ee Wei lived up to their fourth-seed status by seeing off Indonesia's Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu in the second round yesterday. However, it was the end of the road for another Malaysian pair, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin, who fell to defending champions Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin 9-21, 6-21 . Peng Soon captured the Japan Open title in 2012 with Goh Liu Ying after defeating Indonesia's Muhammad Rijal-Liliyana Natsir in the final. Peng Soon views the presence of two pairs in the quarter-finals in Tokyo as a positive sign. 'It's still too early to make any predictions, but Soon Huat-Shevon and Tang Jie-Ee Wei certainly have the quality to go all the way. I hope they can make the most of this opportunity,' said Peng Soon. 'For Soon Huat in particular, even though he's already 35, I don't see any drop in his performance. 'Both he and Shevon are experienced players, and this is their first tournament after a few weeks' break, so I believe they are giving it everything they have. 'I've retired, and as a Malaysian, of course I want to see them win this title. My record isn't important to me, if possible, I want someone to break it. 'What matters most is to have a mixed doubles pair who can continue building a strong legacy. Tang Jie-Ee Wei will take on Japan's Yuichi Shimogami-Sayaka Hobara in the quarter-finals today. It will be the first meeting between the two pairs on the international stage. Meanwhile, Soon Huat-Shevon are set for a tough encounter against Zhenbang-Yaxin. Out of their eight previous meetings, the Malaysians have only managed one win, which came in the quarter-finals of the China Open last September.
New Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Soon Huat-Shevon smash into Japan Open last eight
KUALA LUMPUR: Independent mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai cruised into the quarter-finals of the Japan Open on Thursday. World No. 6 Soon Huat-Shevon didn't face any trouble, recording a comprehensive 21-14, 21-17 win over Singapore's world No. 23 Terry Hee-Jin Yu Jia 21-14, 21-17 in a second-round encounter at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Soon Huat-Shevon will face world No. 2 Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin of China or compatriots Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin (No. 13) in the last eight on Friday.
New Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Triple joy for Malaysia in Japan Open mixed doubles
KUALA LUMPUR: It was a bright day for Malaysia's mixed doubles, with all three pairs storming into the second round of the Japan Open on Wednesday. World No. 4 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and No. 6 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai breezed through their openers, while No. 13 Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin were made to work hard for their win. Pang Ron-Su Yin were pushed to the limit before edging world No. 29 Americans Presley Smith-Jenny Gai 21-19, 12-21, 21-16 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. They now face a tough second-round clash against China's world No. 2 Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin. Earlier, Tang Jie-Ee Wei needed just 29 minutes to brush aside Canada's world No. 144 Kevin Lee-Josephine Wu 21-15, 21-19. The Malaysian pair will take on either Indonesia's Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu or China's Guo Xin Wa-Cheng Fang Hui next. Meanwhile, husband-and-wife pair Soon Huat-Shevon looked in top form as they downed newly crowned Canada Open champions Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat of Thailand 21-15, 21-10. The world No. 15 Thais had no answers for a fully fit Soon Huat-Shevon, succumbing in just 30 minutes. The independent Malaysian pair will next face either Singapore's Terry Hee-Jin Yu Jia or Denmark's Mads Vestergaard-Christine Busch in the second round.
New Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Soon Huat-Shevon fired up by RTG power
KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai are looking forward to the Road to Gold (RTG) programme to keep their 2028 Olympics dreams alive. The world No. 5 couple were also part of the inaugural RTG programme which began in April 2023, and they came close to qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Soon Huat-Shevon, who value the top-up services provided by the Youth and Sports Ministry under the Olympic programme, have vowed to justify their inclusion for the second time. "We signed the commitment agreement to join the RTG programme, and we are honoured to be part of this national project," Shevon posted on her Instagram. "We appreciate the support from RTG to help us elevate our performance and we promise to give our best in the upcoming competitions." Under the RTG programme, Soon Huat-Shevon will receive sport science services, competition exposure, coaching, a monthly allowance, and accommodation near training and competition venues.
New Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Hannah Yeoh: Two pro pairs have agreed to join RTG
KUALA LUMPUR: Their fellow independent Lee Zii Jia said no earlier, but badminton pairs Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai said yes yesterday. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has confirmed that men's doubles world No. 1 Sze Fei-Izzuddin and mixed doubles world No. 6 Soon Huat-Shevon were the latest to join the Road to Gold (RTG) programme. The four shuttlers and their coach Teo Kok Siang met RTG coordinator Datuk Stuart Ramalingam at the National Sports Institute yesterday before signing their commitments. This makes badminton the sport with the largest number of players listed under the elite Olympic programme with 12. "Four professional badminton athletes Sze Fei, Izzuddin, Soon Huat and Shevon had pledged their commitment to the RTG programme on June 18," posted Yeoh on her Facebook today. "Through the RTG, these four will now receive extensive performance-related support as they aim to not only qualify for the 2028 Olympics, but also create history for Malaysia in Los Angeles. "RTG has always supported athletes who fulfil the criteria of the programme and we hope this additional support will spur them in their pursuit of excellence this year." Besides Sze Fei-Izzuddin and Soon Huat-Shevon, eight other shuttlers pledged their commitments last week. They are men's doubles world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, women's doubles world No. 3 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and mixed doubles world No. 4 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei. World No. 28 Zii Jia had turned down the Youth and Sports Ministry's offer to join the RTG programme with his management team saying the support should be given to his peers who are more deserving in the present time.
