KUALA LUMPUR: National mixed doubles, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying are not just ready to fight for a place to play in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia next April, but they are also hoping to win gold.
Peng Soon, said the failure to realise their dream of winning gold at two previous editions in 2010 in New Delhi, India and in 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland, makes him more determined than ever to make up for past disappointments as this is also their best chance for glory.
In New Delhi, Peng Soon partnered Liu Ying whereas in Glasgow he played together with Lai Pei Jing and they managed to win a bronze.
“Competition is very tight for a place to represent the country for mixed doubles, and furthermore Liu Ying and myself have just returned to play together again after not playing since May because she was out injured. We will need to step things up and be in top form if we are going to earn our place for the Games.
“What I can tell you is that we are very determined to do well in the two tournaments that we will be taking part in early next year to prove to the coaches how we deserve to be shortlisted. Our target is to win gold,” said Peng Soon.
Peng Soon-Liu Ying, who won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, stand a good chance of winning gold at the Commonwealth Games, provided they are able to get back to top form and prove their worth in tournaments that they will play in early next year.
Yesterday, national mixed doubles coach, Pang Cheh Chang made it known that Pen Soon-Liu Ying’s place in the national team for the Commonwealth Games is not assured even though they have returned to play as a pair, and that they will be evaluated based on their performance in four tournaments that they will take part in early next year before a decision is made.
Peng Soon-Liu Ying will be competing to represent the country together with another pair, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing.
“Kian Meng-Pei Jing have shown that they have improved a lot and like us, they too are determined for a place in the team. It is healthy competition and may the best, most deserving pair get to represent the country at the Games, as the pair that does will most definitely do their best for Malaysia,” said Peng Soon.