Malaysian duo Chen Tang Jie & Toh Ee Wei Aim to Ignite Mixed Doubles Revolution
PETALING JAYA, Malaysia – Fresh off their historic World Championship victory, Malaysian mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei are hoping to spark a new era of success for the discipline within their nation. Their recent triumph in Paris marked the first-ever world title for a Malaysian mixed doubles team, a feat thay believe can inspire a generation of young players.
For years, Malaysian badminton has traditionally found its success in men’s doubles and men’s singles. Tang Jie and Ee Wei are determined to change that narrative.
“Mixed doubles hasn’t always received the attention it deserves, and we hope to change that,” Tang Jie stated on Friday. “We want to show that mixed doubles can achieve glory for Malaysia, and we hope our achievement inspires more players to pursue this discipline.”
Currently ranked No.3 in the world, Tang Jie and Ee Wei lead the Malaysian charge in mixed doubles.They are followed by the independent duo of Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie (No. 8) and Hoo Pang Ron and Cheng Su Yin (No. 14). However, a concerning lack of depth exists, with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) heavily reliant on thes two pairs.
The pair’s rapid ascent is especially remarkable considering they were only partnered at the end of 2022. Their chemistry was immediate, leading to victories at the 2023 Taiwan Open and Orleans Masters. This success propelled them to qualify for the Paris olympics, where they reached the quarter-finals in their debut appearance. They continued their momentum with a Super 500 Korean Open title just a month after the Games.
Their journey wasn’t without hurdles. In December, they reached the final of the World Tour Finals, narrowly losing to China’s reigning champions Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong. The pair even faced a temporary split in March due to personal differences, but quickly resolved their issues and reunited, demonstrating their commitment to their partnership.
Despite the recent success, tang Jie remains grounded. “Ee Wei and I didn’t suddenly become world champions. Every experience, every tournament, helped us reach this point,” he explained. “We’ll face both victories and defeats in the future. We need to stay humble, keep fighting for our country, and be thankful for the opportunity to play the sport we love.”
Tang Jie and Ee Wei will next compete at the China Masters in Shenzhen, starting Tuesday, September 16th, where they will face Americans Chen Zhi Yi and Francesca Corbett in the opening round. Their performance will be closely watched as they aim to build on their World Championship win and solidify Malaysia’s position as a force in the world of mixed doubles.
Keywords: Chen Tang Jie, Toh Ee Wei, Malaysia, Badminton