Thursday, 19 Sep 2024

BWF News

Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei had a combination of results in the last event of 2023, but they have reasons to be optimistic for the upcoming year. With the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2024 taking place on their home turf at the start of the Olympic year, Chen and Toh are determined to build on their progress from last year. They managed to break into the top 10, a significant achievement considering they started the year ranked outside the top 100.

Mixed Luck and Positive Takeaways

After a disappointing loss to Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping in their first match of the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2023, the Malaysians bounced back. They secured a victory against Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino for the first time in three meetings. Although they ultimately lost their last match to Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai, it was a hard-fought battle.

Toh expressed how their initial loss affected them mentally, but they were determined to give their best in the subsequent matches. The win against Watanabe and Higashino was particularly significant as they had lost to them twice before in straight games. They credited their success to their focus, trust in each other, and the ability to handle the pressure.

Chen emphasized that while they appreciated the results, their main goal was not achieved in this particular event. Nonetheless, they expressed gratitude for being able to compete throughout the year with a healthy body. They acknowledged the progress they made and were determined to come back stronger.

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A Breakthrough Year

The partnership between Chen and Toh only began in late 2022, making the year 2023 a breakthrough year for them. They secured their first title at Orleans and followed it up with a victory at the Taipei Open. With their sights set on Paris 2024 and aiming to improve their ranking, they participated in 25 events throughout the year. Although they faced early exits in some tournaments, they reached the semifinals in four upper-tier events, including the VICTOR China Open. Their consistent performances led to a nomination for the prestigious ‘BWF Most Improved Player of the Year’ award.

Chen expressed pride in their achievements but acknowledged that this is just the beginning of their journey. They recognized the need for continuous improvement and catching up to the more experienced top players. Consistency, confidence, and the development of their skills and mindset are crucial factors that they are committed to working on.

Facing the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2024

Chen and Toh, as the highest-ranked Malaysians in the mixed doubles draw, have an exciting opening encounter against France’s Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue at the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2024.