KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Open at the Axiata Arena next week will be a profound occasion for the Hoo siblings as women's doubles shuttler Vivian appears in her last career tournament while her brother, Pang Ron, comes to the fore.
Vivian, 34, will partner Lim Chiew Sien in the women's doubles for the last time. The independent pair, ranked world No. 43, will play Taiwan's world No. 62 Cheng Yu Pei-Sun Yu Hsing in the first round.
Pang Ron, 26, who will be playing in the mixed doubles at the Malaysia Open with Cheng Su Yin, said he will be cheering for her sister non-stop in her final tournament.
In her 15-year career, Vivian won two Commonwealth Games women's doubles gold medals — with Woon Khe Wei in New Delhi in 2014 and with Chow Mei Kuan in the Gold Coast in 2018. She also helped Malaysia clinch the mixed team gold at the 2024 Commonwealth Games.
Vivian-Khe Wei achieved their highest world ranking of ninth in 2015. They also earned a bronze at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games and won the 2013 Sea Games gold in Myanmar.
"It's going to be quite emotional, and I will be cheering her all the way. My entire family will be there to support her," said Pang Ron.
"Her fighting spirit is amazing. She has played with many partners and has always battled her way up. This is something I want to inherit from her,
"Vivian has always been one of the main flag bearers for Malaysia in the women's scene for years, and I am proud of her achievements.
"She has set the benchmark and I will take it as an inspiration to try and match or better her achievements."
World No. 20 Pang Ron-Su Yin are expected to meet compatriots Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, the world No. 5, in the second round of the Malaysia Open.