RIO Olympics silver medallists Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong are undergoing a lean spell in their badminton career but it is only a matter of time for them regain their status as one of the best men’s doubles pair in the world.
Newly appointed national men’s doubles head coach Cheah Soon Kit has identified the weakness in their slump – two months after taking up the post.
Soon Kit, 49, has not set any medal target for the pair in this year’s World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland but expects his charges to put up a decent performance in their debut.
Himself a former World Championships silver medallist in 1997, Soon Kit said he has not made any big changes to their training regime as he does not want to put any undue pressure on them.
“Lack of fitness is their main weakness. I want to build up their fitness so that they can concentrate entirely on the game and not worry about running out of stamina. I have not made any major changes because I don’t want them to have any problems adapting,” said Soon Kit.
“There is no medal target for them in the world championships in Glasgow. They should believe in themselves, keep their spirits high and do their best in the World Championship.”
V Shem-Wee Kiong are three times SEA Games bronze medallists – in 2011 (Jakarta), 2013 (Myanmar), and 2015 (Singapore). They also won two gold medals in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games (team and men’s doubles)
The duo have not won any tournaments this year.Â
The Malaysians are drawn to play in the same quarter as World No. 1 Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen (China) in Glasgow. – BY DESLYN YOON
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