KUALA LUMPUR: Professionals Low Hang Yee and Ng Eng Cheong claimed the bragging rights as the first Malaysian men's pair to win on the international stage this year after being crowned Slovenia Open champions in Maribor on Sunday.
The world No 182 wrapped up their gruelling campaign with a 22-20, 21-18 win over compatriots Lwi Sheng Hao-Jimmy Wong in the final of the International Challenge event — the sixth-highest in the BWF circuit hierarchy.
Due to their low ranking, Hang Yee-Eng Cheong had to start the four-day tournament in the qualifying round, and it took them seven matches to clinch their breakthrough as a pair.
Their effort earned them world ranking points, equivalent to what a quarter-finalist gets in a Super 300 tournament on the World Tour.
Hang Yee, who was dropped from the national team late last year, was pleased to achieve the win after reuniting with Eng Cheong, whom he teamed up with for three-and-a-half years from 2018-2021.
Eng Cheong, 23, turned professional when he was released at the end of 2021.
"We didn't have much success when we were with the national team, but now we do, as professionals," said the 26-year-old Hang Yee.
"This is like a second chance for both of us. We want to cherish this and try to go as far as we can. Winning the Slovenia Open, although a lower-tier event, still means a lot to us.
"Although we have gotten off to a good start for the Paris 2024 qualification, we know very well that it is far from reach. Instead, we will aim to break the world's top 50 first before setting our next target."
Hang Yee-Eng Cheong are training together with a group of independent doubles shuttlers that include Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi under former international Rosman Razak.
Thanks to the backing from Li-Ning Malaysia, Hang Yee-Eng Cheong are able to compete on tour since the start of this year.
They had also played in the Thailand Masters, Osaka International Challenge and Swedish Open.
The national team had entered two back-up pairs Fazriq Razif-Wong Vin Sean and Bryan Jeremy Goonting-Choi Jian Sheng but were ousted in the second round.