Koo-Tan all pumped up to give fans a big treat
Latest News 9:26 AM
KUALA LUMPUR: A fitter and more solid looking Koo Kien Keat aims to give local badminton fans a big treat when he and partner Tan Boon Heong take to the court in the Kuala Lumpur Open at the KLBA Stadium today.
Top seeds and world No. 3 Kien Keat-Boon Heong are the marquee names in the opening leg of the Proton National Badminton Circuit.
After enjoying a first-round bye yesterday, they are ready to fend off the challenges from their compatriots and a host of aspiring youngsters from the back-up and Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) squads.
Apart from maintaining their status in the local scene, Kien Keat-Boon Heong are also all pumped up to restore their image on the world stage. Kien Keat said yesterday that he and Boon Heong were working on becoming more consistent in their game – especially after the heartbreaks and misses in several major international tournaments.
The Ipoh-born Kien Keat said he was working on a few ‘weak’ areas in his game in a bid to become a more complete player.
He also acknowledged that it was not enough to just rely on speed and power.
“Boon Heong and I are disappointed to have let slip a few major titles in the last couple of months,” lamented Kien Keat.
Last month, Kien Keat-Boon Heong squandered a five-point lead in the decider of the All-England final to relinquish the crown to Denmark’s Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen at Birmingham. They went through the same painful experience at last year’s World Championships in Paris, Japan Open and Asian Games in Guangzhou – running out of steam after brilliant starts.
“Boon Heong and I are physically fit. We are probably in our best physical condition now. What we need to do now is to be more focused.
“In training, we are learning to be more steady and committed,” said Kien Keat.
“We are also learning to play consistently well. Sometimes, Boon Heong is exceptional and I go through a rough patch and vice-versa.
“It is important for both of us to hit the right cord at the same time.”
Kien Keat, who looked more muscular, said there were many positives they could take after achieving several breakthroughs at the All-England last month, especially in ending their two-year winless streak against China’s Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng and Indonesians Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan.
“Our confidence is back. Our ultimate goal is the World Championships in London (in August). This time, we are determined to hit the jackpot,” said Kien Keat.
After the Kuala Lumpur Open, Kien Keat-Boon Heong will take part in the fifth leg of the Super Series in India from April 26-May 1 and the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold in Alor Setar, Kedah, from May 3-8.
Today in the KL Open, Kien Keat-Boon Heong will take on Chooi Kah Ming-Ow Yao Han, who survived a strong challenge from Nelson Heg Wei Kiat-Teo Ee Yi for a 18-21, 21-18, 28-26 win.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 9:26 AM.
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