Splendid show in Qingdao a boost for Thien How
Top News 1:12 PM
PETALING JAYA: A stout Hoon Thien How has been giving Malaysian badminton a big lift with his strong presence in the men’s doubles event.
And one can certainly expect him to go far when he makes his debut in the World Championships with Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif in London from Aug 8-14.
At the Sudirman Cup, Thien How was reunited with his former world junior champion partner Tan Boon Heong in a quarter-final tie against South Korea and the duo played brilliantly to beat the formidable pair of Jung Jae-sung-Lee Yong-dae.
Hoon Thien How
It was not the first time that Thien How had come good in major events.
At the last year’s Malaysia Open at Putra Stadium, he played with Ong Soon Hock and they also packed off Jae-sung-Yong-dae in the second round.
He has also done well with Zakry and their notable performances was at last year’s Thomas Cup Finals when they almost brought the roof down with their fighting display against Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen before losing 26-24, 12-21, 19-21. Malaysia eventually went on to beat Denmark in that quarter-final tie.
The 25-year-old Thien How said that the outing in Qingdao had been a timely boost ahead of the world championships.
“I was the world junior champion with Boon Heong in 2004. After that we played together for two years and that is why I can combine well with him,” said Thien How.
“It was my first Sudirman Cup outing and it felt good to win a point for Malaysia in the tie against South Korea.
“It will give me a lot of confidence as I prepare for my first world championships outing. I will be playing with Zakry and hopefully, we will be able to achieve good results for the country.”
Thien How-Zakry are making the trip to the world meet at the expense of former internationals Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen. The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have named Thien How-Zakry although Teik Chai-Bin Shen had qualified on merit.
“I have played with different players but my mission has always been the same – to give my best on court. Hopefully, I will continue to enjoy good results in badminton,” he said.
Prior to the world championships, Thien How-Zakry, who are currently ranked 26th in the world, will be taking part in the Singapore Open (June 14-19) and the Indonesia Open (June 21-26).
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 1:12 PM.
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