Best is yet to come: Hoo Pang Ron-Teoh Mei Xing will open their campaign against world No. 13 Kyohei Yamashita-Naru Shinoya of Japan in the Malaysian Open.
PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttler Hoo Pang Ron is hoping to get off to a good start in the new season with partner Teoh Mei Xing as they eye qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
But Pang Ron acknowledged that it is a tall order for him as he has to adapt to his new partner and train under newly appointed coach Nova Widianto.
The 24-year-old Pang Ron partnered Cheah Yee See for four years before pairing up with Toh Ee Wei in June last year and rose to No. 30 in the world rankings.
His partnership with Ee Wei did not last long as the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) decided to split them and pair Pang Ron with Mei Xing in November.
World No. 158 Pang Ron-Mei Xing got off to a good start as they advanced to the Bangladesh International Challenge semi-finals before capturing the Malaysian International Challenge title last month.
“It was challenging for me as I’ve changed partners three times in a year.
“I had to adapt to their game play and I’ve never partnered Mei Xing before.
“Mei Xing didn’t play mixed doubles for some time so she needs more time to adapt to the playing style in mixed doubles to strengthen our partnership.
“But it is getting better because we have started to increase our training sessions.
“There are still a lot of things to improve but hopefully, we can perform in the Malaysian Open,” said Pang Ron.
Pang Ron-Mei Xing made the cut for the Malaysian Open from Jan 10-15 at the Axiata Arena after the withdrawal of India’s Ishaan Bhatnagar-Tanisha Crasto.
They will open their campaign against world No. 13 Kyohei Yamashita-Naru Shinoya of Japan.
“We initially thought that we wouldn’t be able to qualify, so I was overjoyed when I heard the news because the Malaysian Open is one of the tournaments that offer the most ranking points,” said Pang Ron.
“They’re higher ranked and we’re the underdogs, so there’s no pressure on us but we will try our best to win.
“After the home tournament, we’ll analyse our game and rectify our weaknesses before the next tournament,” added Pang Ron.
He is pleased to be training under coach Nova and is looking forward to learning more from the two-time world champion.
“He (Nova) is a legend, we respect him and his coaching style is comfortable for us.
“He is strict during training but after that we can laugh and eat together.
“Fighting to qualify for the Olympics is not easy but there are still chances.”
“We’ll go all out and hopefully, learn more from the coach and improve ourselves,” he said.
Pang Ron-Mei Xing will compete in the India Open from Jan 17-22 after the home tourney.
