Just like the real thing: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei in focus during their open match play session with French pair Thom Giquel-Delphine Delrue.
PETALING JAYA: The doubles shuttlers gearing up for the Paris Olympics got an early taste of the tournament atmosphere when they had open match play sessions in their training base at the Aire Sur La Lys in northern France.
The public were invited to watch and cheer on Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles), Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women’s doubles) and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles) during match plays yesterday.
Top French mixed pair Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue, who will also be competing in the Olympics, joined in the sessions with Tang Jie-Ee Wei.
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky believed that the atmosphere created by the fans will give his charges a good idea as to what awaited them during the badminton competition from July 27-Aug 5 at the Adidas Arena in Porte de la Chapelle.
It will be a new experience for all three pairs as they have never played in the Olympics in front of a packed crowd.
Pearly-Thinaah and Tang Jie-Ee Wei will be making their debuts while Aaron-Wooi Yik won bronze in their maiden appearance in the 2021 Tokyo edition during the Covid-19 pandemic where spectators were not allowed in the stadium.
“The players can gain a lot during these match play sessions which are open to the public,” said Rexy.
“We thought many people around here were not really knowledgeable about badminton but they came here and made the atmosphere like how it is in a real competition.
“We also had the French No. 1 mixed doubles pair (Gicquel-Delrue), who were willing to join us for the sessions.
“This is something positive for our players and will aid their preparations. A training camp will only help the players prepare in terms of tactics and skills but this kind of sessions in front of an audience will make them mentally ready for the competition as well,” added Rexy.
So far, Rexy is satisfied with the players’ overall preparations for the showpiece event.
“So far, we are on the right track. I can say Aaron-Wooi Yik are about 90 to 95 percent ready and we will get them fully prepared in the last few days we have left before the competition starts.
“We can see Tang Jie-Ee Wei have been inconsistent in tournaments so far but will be ready to do better this time.
“As for Pearly-Thinaah, we are looking to push them a bit more.”
Besides the three pairs, independent duo Lee Zii Jia (men’s singles) and Goh Jin Wei (women’s singles) will also be representing Malaysia in Paris.
Both are currently following their own training programme in Malaysia with their respective coaches, Wong Tat Meng and Nova Armada.
