Matching hair colours: Mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei are gearing up for the Paris Olympics. —LOW BOON TAT/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Coach Nova Widianto believes that mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei can spring a surprise in the Paris Olympics.
The badminton competition is set to be held from July 27-Aug 5 and Nova, who has been guiding Tang Jie-Ee Wei for more than a year, has backed his charges to rise to the occasion.
Nova’s confidence stems from the world No. 9 pair’s positive attitude and progress in training.
“I’m confident that Tang Jie-Ee Wei can perform well in the Olympics,” said Nova, after overseeing a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
“They have been doing well in training and during match plays against the men’s doubles pairs.
“We can see a much progress in terms of their communication and problem solving. If they can translate what they have been doing in training in the tournament, they can go far.”
Nova also feels that the lengthy period that Tang Jie-Ee Wei have had to train this year has been beneficial.
“Tang Jie-Ee Wei had more time to train as they did not need to compete in the Thomas Cup Finals last month and Asia Team Championships (in February),” said Nova.
“They also lost in the first round of the Indonesian Open earlier this month which was their last tournament before the Olympics, so they have been training since then.
“I feel that their preparation has been the best so far, compared to the other departments.
“Tang Jie especially, has been extraordinary in training. He rarely gets tired. Both he and Ee Wei can easily follow the programme we have given them and they never complain about anything,” added Nova.
Nova now wants Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who will be making their debuts in the Olympics, to bring out their best in Paris.
“I told them to take it like it’s their last Olympics and not their first, and go all out,” said Nova.
“Mental strength is very important in the Olympics and psychologist Frederick Tan has been working with them on this.
“They have prepared well and it’s a waste if they don’t play their best.”
For the record, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying were the only Malaysian mixed pair to ever win a medal in the Olympics when they captured silver in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro edition.
