Inspiring: Toh Ee Wei used to watch current national mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto play during his partnership with Liliyana Natsir for the Indonesian team.
PETALING JAYA: National mixed doubles shuttler Toh Ee Wei used to avidly watch former Indonesian great Liliyana Natsir in action with Nova Widianto in some of the biggest tournaments.
Nova and Liliyana had been one of the top mixed pairs in the world in their heyday and had been world champions twice (2005 and 2007) and Olympic silver medallists in 2008.
Ee Wei now has an opportunity to learn from one of the best after Nova was appointed as the new national mixed doubles coach.
The 22-year-old is really excited to work under her idol’s former partner.
“I’m so excited to be working under Nova as he is a very experienced coach. I hope to improve under his coaching. His former partner, Liliyana Natsir is also my idol.
“I used to grow up watching Nova and Liliyana’s matches. I like Liliyana as she has such a strong character on court and I was so impressed with her confidence and skills,” said Ee Wei.
She has formed a new partnership with Chen Tang Jie about a month ago and the duo will be competing in their third tournament together at the Malaysian Open from Jan 10-15 at the Axiata Arena.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei have got off to a promising start together after capturing the Bangladesh International Challenge title and finishing runners-up in the Malaysian International Challenge.
Ee Wei, though, admitted that the pair, who are currently ranked 157th in the world, have a lot to do to improve their rankings.
“We are getting better as a pair. For now, our focus is on improving our ranking.
“We have a lot to do to catch up with the top pairs in the world but we are working hard on it,” said Ee Wei.
She and Tang Jie will be up against their toughest challenge so far in the home tourney where they are set to play compatriots and world No. 5 Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing in the opening round.
