# Tontowi-Liliyana just too good on the day to win mixed doubles gold
# No shame in defeat as Malaysia settle for silver medal
By Rizal Abdullah
Their fairy tale run in Rio de Janeiro raised the bar in Malaysia’s bid to win the elusive gold but they fell at the final hurdle in the mixed doubles final.
Still, Malaysia’s number one mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying did the country proud at the Rio Olympics. They are still Malaysia’s pride and hope of better things to come in mixed doubles.
They battled for 45 minutes but could not stop the world No 3 and third seeds Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir from taking the gold medal with a 21-14, 21-12 in the final played at Riocentro Pavilion 4 on Wednesday.
The silver medal created Malaysian badminton history as Peng Soon-Liu Ying returned home without a win in the same event fours years ago – at the 2012 London Olympics – where their campaign ended in the group stage.
In Liu Ying’s own words “the way is now open for mixed doubles pairs to emerge from Malaysia” in a live interview over television after the final speaks volumes of their rise on world stage.
Tontowi-Liliyana were themselves fired up in Rio – driven by their failure to win a medal at the London Olympics. They vowed to come back strong and win the gold. This they did in style in Rio. Peng Soon-Liu Ying can take que from Tontowi-Liliyana.
The Indonesian pair displayed awesome attacking badminton – often leaving the Malaysians stranded. Tontowi-Liliyana also had the psychological advantage of having beaten the Malaysians 21-15, 21-11 in a Group C match to take their head-to-head count to 8-1.
The mixed doubles final in Rio saw Malaysians from all walks of life – both at home and overseas – rooting for Peng Soon-Liu Ying. They know Peng Soon-Liu Ying gave their best but were not good enough to win the gold.
It is certainly the beginning of better things and more to come from Peng Soon-Liu Ying.
“Thank you all from my family, coaches, officials, friends and our supporters, We gave our best but it was not good enough for the gold,” said Peng Soon, who hails from Penang.
Liu Ying who laid off badminton for two years to undergo knee surgery before making a comeback said: “Frankly I never dreamt that I will be on the podium in Rio. This is the beginning of better things to come.”
Liu Ying hails from Alor Gajah, Malacca.
RESULT
MIXED DOUBLES FINAL
Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir (Ina) beat Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (Mas) 21-14, 21-12
