KUALA LUMPUR – National mixed doubles player Hoo Pang Ron hopes that his partnership with Cheng Su Yin will endure as they strive to break into the top ranks of world badminton.
Pang Ron, 26, acknowledges that all decisions are made by the coaching team at the Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM), but admits it’s a challenge starting from scratch each time he’s paired with a new player.
Over the past six years, Pang Ron has changed partners seven times, including forming a men’s doubles pairing with Chen Tang Jie in 2018.
In mixed doubles events, he has partnered with Peck Yen Wei, Lai Pei Jing, Teoh Mei Xing, Cheah Yee See, and briefly reached a world ranking of 20 with Toh Ee Wei early last year, before being paired with Su Yin in November.
Nevertheless, Pang Ron remains positive, considering it his latest responsibility to guide young players like Su Yin.
“This is life. I’ve been through this many times, but I see it as a challenge because such experiences can make me stronger in life, not just in badminton.
“I welcome this new challenge of mentoring a young player like Su Yin. I hope to guide her towards improvement and success.
“If the time comes for me to retire, I hope Su Yin will flourish with a new partner. Yet, ideally, I’d like to remain by her side for a long time and try once again to reach the highest world ranking,” said Pang Ron.
Pang Ron-Su Yin is one of the national mixed doubles pairs that successfully advanced past the first round of the Malaysia Masters after defeating Hung Kuie Chun-Tsang Hiu Yan from Hong Kong with a score of 21-16, 25-23.
They will face the second seed of the tournament, Alexandra Bøje-Mathias Christiansen from Denmark in the second round tomorrow.
“We definitely want to achieve a breakthrough. Even though we will face the second seed of the tournament tomorrow, I feel it’s okay because I have been at the highest level before, and now I hope to guide Su Yin to her best performance, and if possible, upset them,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ee Wei and Tang Jie, who are seeded first in the tournament, have also confirmed their spot in the second round and will meet Indian pair, Reddy B. Sumeeth-Reddy Sikki.
Shevon Lai-Goh Soon Huat will compete against Yang Po Hsuan-Hu Ling Fang from Chinese Taipei, while Pei Jing-Tan Kian Meng will face Wang Chan-Shin Seung Chan from South Korea. – May 22, 2024