New partner, new target: Mixed doubles pair Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing training at the Pioneer Badminton Centre in Endah Parade. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Changing events can be daunting but independent doubles shuttler Jimmy Wong is excited by the challenge.
Jimmy, who previously played in the men’s doubles, is set to switch to the mixed doubles and combine with the more experienced Lai Pei Jing.
The 32-year-old Pei Jing will be ending her partnership with Tan Kian Meng, 30, after the All-England from March 11-16 in Birmingham.
Jimmy, who is 10 years younger than Pei Jing, hopes to learn from the latter and adapt well in the mixed doubles.
“Playing in mixed doubles is quite challenging as the game style is different from men’s doubles and I need to learn from Pei Jing and adapt,” said Jimmy.
“There’s definitely pressure on me because she’s been playing at the top level while I have not but I’m excited as well.
“I have never won a senior title before this, so I hope to end my drought with Pei Jing.”
In the men’s doubles, Jimmy’s best achievement was finishing runners-up with Lwi Shenghao in the Austrian and Slovenian Opens in 2023.
Jimmy, who is from Kajang, is keen to continue reviving his career after he was dropped by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in 2022.
“After I was dropped from BAM, it was not easy for me to continue my career as I felt quite lost,” said Jimmy.
“Thankfully, my parents kept supporting me and that’s the reason I rediscovered my fight to continue playing badminton.”
Jimmy is also inspired by Chinese men’s doubles great Fu Haifeng and hopes to play in the Olympics one day just like his idol.
Haifeng, who was known for his powerful smashes, captured two golds in the Olympics with Cai Yun (2012 London) and Zhang Nan (2016 Rio de Janeiro).
“I loved watching Haifeng play when I was growing up. His attacking game is very good and he is so fierce on court,” said Jimmy.
“I want to follow his style of play and I hope to play in the Olympics one day (just like him).”
