Monday March 6, 2006

Lee Wei and Shakirin aim to spring surprises

By RAJES PAUL

PETALING JAYA: One is an experienced paddler while the other is making his debut. But together, Beh Lee Wei and Mohd Shakirin Ibrahim are determined to serve up some surprises in the mixed doubles event of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

When table tennis was introduced at the Manchester Games four years ago, the women’s team returned home empty-handed while the men were not represented in the Games.

This time, the 23-year-old Lee Wei, who has been a household name in table tennis for almost a decade, hopes that her combination with Shakirin will be good enough for a medal in Melbourne.

At the Manila SEA Games last December, Lee Wei and Shakirin were the bronze medallists.

“The field will be very strong in Melbourne,” said Lee Wei, who has been the national champion for nine consecutive times.

READY TO ROCK: Lee Wei (left) and Shakirin are bent on creating upsets in the mixed doubles event.

“Of course, Singapore will be the favourites as they have China-born paddlers in their side. In Manila, we lost to the Singaporeans (eventual champions Li Cia Xiao-Li Jiawei in the semi-finals).

“The Singaporean pair will be the favourites again in Melbourne. We will also be wary of the Canadians, Kiwis and Australians.”

Besides the mixed doubles, Lee Wei also wants to perform better in the singles and doubles events.

“In Manchester, I was beaten by a Singaporean in the last 16. Hopefully, the draw will be favourable for me this time,” added Lee Wei.

In the women’s doubles, she will team up with the 21-year-old Ng Sock Khim, who returned home yesterday after a two-month training stint in Tianjin. Sock Khim was in China with another Melbourne-bound paddler Chiu Soo Jin.

The 21-year-old Shakirin is equally as fired up as Lee Wei.

“This may be my first Games and the competition will be tough but I am determined to chalk up upsets. I want to be the first player to contribute a medal for Malaysia in Commonwealth Games table tennis,” he said.

The lanky Shakirin shot to prominence when he emerged as the gold medallist in the Negri Sembilan Sukma (Malaysia Games) in 2004.

“I have experienced partners in both the doubles events. Lee Wei and I did well to win a bronze in the mixed doubles at the Manila SEA Games. In the men’s doubles, I will team up with national champion (Chan) Koon Wah,” said Shakirin.

His best achievement with Koon Wah was winning a silver medal in the Commonwealth Championships in Kuala Lumpur two years ago.

“That was a memorable outing for me,” said Shakirin. “But not many strong players from the Commonwealth countries took part. This time, there will be stiffer challenges from Singapore, Nigeria, India and England. For me, there is no pressure and I am ready to face them.”

Competition dates: March 16-26

Venue: Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC)

EVENTS: Men's and women's singles and doubles; mixed doubles; men's and women's team

MEDALS: 7-7-7

TEAM MALAYSIA

Manager: Chan Foong Keong.

Coaches: Zhao Guoping, Yao Linjing.

Men: Chan Koon Wah, Mohd Shakirin Ibrahim, Kho Mao Sheng, Chong Chit Sheng.

Women: Beh Lee Wei, Ng Sock Khim, Chiu Soo Jiin, Fan Xiao Jun.

PREVIOUS ACHIEVEMENT

Manchester 2002: Women’s team fifth; Beh Lee Wei (singles quarter-finals).