PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttler Lai Pei Jing will enter the new year with a spring in her step.
The mixed doubles player, who was once broken due to an online scam this year, has learnt to deal with it and is looking forward to 2025 with the conviction that it would be a better year.
Pei Jing was scammed of her life savings and that would have rattled any one but instead of living in denial and shame, she faced the problem head on and became a role model to many.
It is no longer bothering her and in fact, she has been doing well to slowly recoup all that had been lost in playing more tournaments. In fact, she is currently playing in the China League to earn extra bucks.
“I’ve accepted it and moved on. I’ve learnt to think positively and earning my money back slowly and patiently,” said Pei Jing.
“I train, I learn, I earn - that’s my mindset as I enter the new year.
“I’m just focusing on what I want to do and ignore whatever that brings trouble to me.”
After the scam, Pei Jing did well to reach the Indonesian Open and Australian Open semi-finals with Tan Kian Meng. And in the women’s doubles, she made it to the final of the Australian Open with Lim Chiew Sien.
Pei Jing will play with Kian Meng in the Malaysian Open from Jan 7-12 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil and they may feature in their final tournament at the All-England in March.
Kian Meng admitted that it could have been a better year.
“Our results are acceptable although it could have been better. For now, we are looking at the Malaysian Open,” said Kian Meng.
The duo reached the semi-finals of the home tournament in 2019.