PETALING JAYA: Starting all over again with a new partner is never easy but men’s doubles shuttler Chia Weijie (pic) is willing to give his best shot.
The 23-year-old Weijie formed a new partnership with Liew Xun after his previous partner, Low Hang Yee opted to quit as the national player.
Weijie-Hang Yee formed their partnership in 2021 and it started on a right note as they reached the semi-finals in their first championship together, the Czech Open before losing 16-21, 19-21 to Singaporean Terry Hee Yong Kai-Loh Kean Hean last October.
Weijie said the most memorable outing with Hang Yee was the Ukraine Open last January.
They defeated Emil Lauritzen-Mads Vestergaard of Denmark 19-21, 22-20, 23-21 in a thrilling 57-minute final to capture the title.
“They were leading but we refused to give in and fought back to snatch the last two points to win the game,” he said.
“It was very memorable because it was our first gold and the match was intense.”
Weijie opened up about his feelings when he first knew about Hang Yee’s decision.
“I felt disappointed but I respected his decision. I did not dwell on it for too long as I have to continue training, and the feelings faded as time passed,” he said.
In the recent Malaysian International Challenge, Weijie-Liew Xun defeated compatriot Chong Ee Jack-Ling Wei Jie 21-15, 21-15 in the second round to book a spot in the quarter-finals where they lost to Mohd Haikal Nazri-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
“Liew Xun and I only started proper training about two weeks before the championship, so we need to improve our combination,” he said.
World No. 376 Weijie-Liew Xun will start their season against No. 51 Joshua Magee-Paul Reynolds of Ireland in the Estonian Open on Thursday.
