KUALA LUMPUR: Despite having trained together for only a week, Malaysia's Rachel Arnold-Ong Sai Hung are confident of winning a mixed doubles medal at the Asian Doubles Squash Championships, which begin on Thursday in Skudai, Johor.
Malaysia will have seven pairs competing in three events — men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles.
Last year, Rachel partnered with the now-retired Ivan Yuen to win the mixed doubles silver in Dalian, China.
Rachel, 28, said she and Sai Hung have never played as a pair in a competition.
"We trained as a pair for only a week in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, as I was busy with competitions. From our training sessions, I believe we can finish on the podium.
"We might face strong challengers from Hong Kong pairs and India's Abhay Singh-Joshna Chinappa, who are in the same Group C with us," said Rachel.
Rachel-Sai Hung are seeded fifth in the event, with two other Malaysian pairs — Aira Azman-Syafiq Kamal, and Ainaa Amani-Addeen Idrakie — also competing for honours.
The top two seeds in the mixed doubles event are Hong Kong's Lee Ka Yi-Wong Chi Him, and Tong Tsz Wing-Tang Ming Hong.
Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) director Major (rtd) S. Maniam hopes the Malaysian pairs will rise to the occasion and meet the association's target of three medals.
"We are banking on Rachel-Sai Hung, Aifa Azman-Aira Azman (women's doubles), and Syafiq Kamal-Sai Hung (men's doubles) to deliver the medals."
The other Malaysian pairs in action are Hafiz Zhafri-Duncan Lee (men's doubles) and Ainaa Amani-Chan Yi Wen (women's doubles).