KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun scripted a fairytale ending to their rousing run in the Taiwan Open by stunning Olympic champions Lee Yang-Wang Chi Lin in the men's doubles final today.
Despite the odds stacked against them, world No 36 Wei Chong-Kai Wun rose to the occasion to overpower the world No 4 in front of their home fans in a three-game thriller, 21-18, 11-21, 21-18.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun pocketed US$39,500 (RM176,000) in prize money while Lee Yang-Chi Lin settled for US$19,000.
The title is Wei Chong-Kai Wun's second success this year. In January, they won the Syed Modi International.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun can also finally bury their Sea Games heartbreak, and look forward to more successes in the future. They were forced to withdraw from the Sea Games in May after Wei Chong sustained a serious knee injury.
On Saturday, BAM coaching director Rexy Mainaky had advised Wei Chong- Kai Wun to play "as if they had nothing to lose" in the final.
And the Indonesian legend's advice seemed to have worked wonders as even the Taiwanese Olympic champs were sent packing.
Rexy had also urged Wei Chong-Kai Wun to catch up with their more established seniors: world No 6 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
"I am very happy for Wei Chong-Kai Wun," said Rexy who is currently in Birmingham with the Malaysian contingent for the Commonwealth Games.
"I just want Wei Chong-Kai Wun to build on this win and stay consistent," he added.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun's next assignment is the Japan Open on Aug 30-Sept 4 as they did not qualify for the World Championships.
FINAL RESULTS
(Malaysians unless stated)
Men's singles: Chou Tien Chen (Tai) bt Kodai Naraoka (Jpn) 14-21, 21-10, 21-6
Men's doubles: Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun bt Lee Yang-Wang Chi Lin (Tai) 21-18, 11-21, 21-18
Women's singles: Tai Tzu Ying (Tai) bt Saena Kawakami (Jpn) 21-17, 21-16
Women's doubles: Ng Tsz Yau-Tsang Hiu Yan (Hkg) bt Rui Hirokami-Yuna Kato (Jpn) 21-15, 18-21, 21-19
Mixed doubles: Reginald Lee-Ng Tsz Yau (Hkg) bt Ruttanapak Oupthong-Chasinee Korepap (Tha) 21-8, 21-9