KUALA LUMPUR — Apart from winning, it is equally crucial for the national mixed doubles pair, Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, to pay attention to — their health during competitions.
The duo is set to compete in the Kumamoto Masters in Japan starting tomorrow, marking their first tournament after a seven-week recovery period.
Tang Jie has been dealing with a recurring knee injury, while Ee Wei sustained a back injury and a deep arm cut that required 16 stitches.
Following Kumamoto, they will head to Shenzhen for the China Masters next week.
Tang Jie and Ee Wei cannot afford to be injured again as the World Tour Finals draw near, a crucial tournament for them before 2024 ends.
Therefore, their focus now is not just on chasing victories or ranking points, but also on staying in optimal condition for the season’s finale.
“We’ve fully recovered from our injuries and have been cleared by the doctors. Our focus now is on completing these two tournaments before turning our attention to the World Tour Finals.
“For me, once you’re in a tournament, you have to push and give your best performance. But we’ll see how things unfold on the actual competition day.
“The World Tour Finals is very important to us, as it’s a major event. I’m thrilled that we’ve qualified for two consecutive editions, which shows our progress.
“Performing well will reward us with prize money and ranking points, but what matters most is managing our health to compete at our best, considering our injury history,” said Tang Jie.
Tang Jie also said that his knee injury began before the Paris Olympics but is improving.
“When we’re injured, we need time to rest and recover, which disrupts our momentum,” he added.
Last year, Tang Jie and Ee Wei qualified for the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China, but were eliminated in the group stage.
Seeded second at the Kumamoto Masters, they remain cautious, knowing they will face the former world number one mixed doubles pair from Thailand, Dechapol Puavaranukroh and his new partner Supissara Paewsampran, in the first round.
“The feeling during training and competition is different, so for me, it’s about regaining that tournament edge.
“The Kumamoto draw is also very tough and challenging for us.
“Although this is only their second tournament, this pair is experienced and has shown great gameplay. So we need to approach it as a serious test and prepare accordingly,” he said. — November 11, 2024
