KUALA LUMPUR – Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) coaching director Rexy Mainaky and mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto have set a target for top mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei to qualify for the Paris Olympics as fourth seeds.
Their objective is for the world number nine pair to have a favourable draw when the Summer Games rolls around.
“In my discussion with Nova, he wants them (Tang Jie-Ee Wei) to be the fourth seeds when the draw for the Olympics comes out, or at least the fifth.
“But we have to be realistic. At the same time, Tang Jie and Ee Wei can shock everyone and perform really well at Super 1000 and 750 tournaments.
“At the very least, we want them to secure a spot in the top five at the Olympics,” said Rexy at a press conference at ABM here today.
With cautious optimism, Rexy estimated that the pair were close to being 70% to 80% qualified for Paris.
However, Nova prefers to remain vigilant and not let complacency set in.
With that, he said that Tang Jie and Ee Wei would continue to play in Super 300 tournaments.
“I don’t want to be too confident until their qualification is confirmed. Other pairs around them could be playing in Super 100 and 300 tournaments to collect the maximum number of points available.
“So we must continue to focus and not let our concentration slip, that is also why we will have them take part in the Thailand Masters later this month,” said Nova.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei’s quest to secure their Olympics berth will start with the Malaysia Open, to be held at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil from January 9 to 14.
Their first-round challenge will be against world number 11s Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue of France. – January 5, 2023