Happy moment: Goh V Shem (top left) and Choi Sol-gyu (top, second from left) posing for a picture with sponsors and friends.
PETALING JAYA: Olympic Games silver medal winner Goh V Shem has not lost his fire to taste success in badminton again.
That’s why the 35-year-old has decided to try something new – partner with South Korean Choi Sol-gyu – to keep alive his flagging career on the international stage.
The 29-year-old Sol-gyu won the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games silver medal with Kim Won-ho and has numerous titles to his name in both the men’s doubles and mixed doubles.
Ironically, the last time V Shem won a title was at the 2019 Taiwan Open when together with Tan Wee Kiong, they beat Sol-gyu-Seo Seung-jae in the final.
V Shem-Sol-gyu have entered their names for the Malaysian Open in January and if all goes well, that will be their first tournament together.
V Shem is looking forward to the new partnership. Both players are now under the sponsorship of Felet.
“It all started at the Macau Open in September when Sol-gyu tried out a few Felet racquets and he liked them. So, he spoke to the sponsor about finding a partner,” said V Shem.
“They spoke to me. They thought it will work well as I’m quite good at the back court while he dominates at the front. So that’s how Felet signed him up to partner with me.”
Since winning the silver at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics with Wee Kiong, the journey has been challenging for V Shem.
He left Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and continued to play with Wee Kiong as a professional pair until 2021.
Then, he partnered different players like Low Juan Shen, Lim Khim Wah and the recent one with Boon Xin Yuan.
“I’ve no plans to retire yet as I still have the passion to play,” said the fast-attacking skilful player.
“I think, this partnership with Sol-gyu is a good chance for me to give it a shot at the top level once again. Hopefully, I can do well next year.”
It’s the first time that V Shem will be teaming up with a foreign player at the international stage.
“I’ve played in the professional league in India with the late Markis Kido (of Indonesia) before, but this is a first with Choi,” said V Shem. “I’ve not trained together with Choi and it’s is something that we have to iron out. For now, we are training separately.”
“He can speak basic English and I do not think, communication will be a problem. Most importantly, we must have the right chemistry on the court.”
