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Pearly & Thinaah: Into the Olympic Semifinals

In a brutal demolition of their Korean opponents Pearly Tan & Thinaah Muralitharan made history as the first Malaysian WD pair to reach an Olympic final. Wow, did they deserve this win.

There was a focus and intensity about the pair of them right from the start. This was a death or glory tie, and they made the choice to go for glory. The first set went by in a flash. The attack was slick and the defence held steady. There was a quiet confidence about them as they went toe-to-toe with the Tokyo bronze medalists. One up 21-12. How would the Koreans respond? This was an unbelievable start.

Korea began the second set in a more composed way. The serve alternated as no-one was able to build momentum. 4-4. 5-5. 8-8. Then something flicked the attack switch inside Pearly and Thinaah’s game brains – the semifinals were calling, and they could not ignore the temptation to go for it.

Pearly in particular was adept at moving her opponents around to gain space to attack. She was always searching for angles to exploit. Thinaah was her reliable back-up. Nothing got past her. The Koreans started to run out of ideas as Malaysia edged ahead into the interval just ahead 11-8.

They were unrelenting as they played for a semi-final place. The score kept ticking up and they were so smooth in their partnership. The understanding between them and their faith in their strategy was incredibly resilient. Kim/Kong were still fighting hard and managed to claw back some points.

At 12-13 I was a little concerned as Pearly seemed to be having a minor hamstring twinge; suddenly the Koreans were level 13-13. Was this the anticipated fight-back?

Fearless and brave the Malaysian pair took deep breaths, refocused, and found a higher level. Their rivals were pressured into unforced errors; they were misjudging the drift, and their challenge was starting to fade. Pearly and Thinaah were hungry for points. They had not stepped on court to indulge the Korean’s love of long rallies. They were direct and determined. Still the score kept advancing in their favour.

There was nothing that Kim/Kong could do to counter this persistent attack. As the set progressed, they faded. As they faded, Pearly and Thinaah grew. 18-13, 19-13, 20-13 match point. Surely nothing could stop them now. Never in doubt! 21-13. What a performance.

If you enjoyed this then take a look at the article written by my friend Rene Biaoli http://badmintoniacs.wordpress.com

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LEE Zii Jia: Reasons to be Cheerful

LEE Zii Jia’s run of good results at the Australian Open came to an end in a three set SF with WENG Hong Yang. What are the top takeaways from this tournament for him and his fans?

2J6ETN3 (220501) — MANILA, May 1, 2022 (Xinhua) — Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia poses for photos during the awarding ceremony for the men’s singles at the Badminton Asia Championships 2022 in Manila, the Philippines, May 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

As Team LZJ embarked on their flight to Sydney last week it was crucial that Coach WONG and Darren Liew supported their player. Amidst the gale of media criticism that often swirls around him, they had to embody the eye of the storm, giving tactical analysis and unwavering confidence in his ability to overcome his challenges.

Before the competition began – after a dismal sequence of early exits – plus a hiatus to recharge and recalibrate, I think that the prospect of making the semi-final of a S500 tournament would have been a tantalizing glimpse of a brighter horizon.

As he took to the court to face fellow Malaysian LEONG Jun Hao in R32 the main worry was his recent habit of early exits stemming from a mix of impatience, good opponents, and bad luck. However, plot twist! This time he changed the script. The match did not begin particularly well: his play was marred by errors: his range was out, and he was misjudging the arena’s conditions. LJH took the first set, and an upset was on the cards. However, set two and a small improvement in his touch and some deceptive shots surfaced. He was tenacious and levelled to one set all. His momentum continued and with an impressive display of mental grit he got the victory in just over an hour.

R16 was another long three set match, this time against Indian national champion Mithun Manjunath. Zii Jia was more comfortable with the conditions, and noticeably better in the front court. While it was not a dazzling performance he rose to the challenge and was into his first Quarter Final for months. It was encouraging to see him find an extra gear at 16-16 in the final set. MM resisted and fought back hard but he could not break LZJ’s resolve.

And so, to another compatriot clash, this time against the ever-improving NG Tze Yong. Malaysian badminton fans are lucky to have two outstanding MS. NTY’s performances at the Commonwealth Games and at the All England this year showcased his tenacity and undemonstrative self-confidence. He is such a dogged, never-say-die competitor that it was imperative for LZJ to win in two if he had any hope of progression. Ominously he lost the first set and the second was balanced on a knife edge but Zii Jia would not yield, eventually taking it to extra points 26-24. It was heartening to see his surge of determination to get the match to a third set. The advantage was with him, and he took it 21-19.

Four early exits in a row before this tournament but this time he broke the pattern and reached the SF. After his defeat he revealed in an interview with the BWF that playing as an underdog had helped him. He can take so many positives from this week. Against WENG Hong Yang he showed a willingness to use his aggression to dominate the net; his movement was fluid, and his shots were sharp. Notably, he hasn’t journeyed deep into a tournament for so long and this will be great to improve his match stamina.

What can we expect in Copenhagen at the World Championships? Realistically the challenge continues to be consistency. However, with his team, he is working on the toolkit to transform himself into a better player. The journey is just beginning.

if you enjoyed this take a look at my article about LZJ and Coach Wong https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/07/29/lee-zii-jia-and-plan-b/

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LEE Zii Jia and Plan B

Now the challenge for Lee Zii Jia and his coaching team is to tap into his incredible talents and help him find his groove again.

2PFH65M Utilita Arena, Birmingham, UK. 17th Mar, 2023. 2023 YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships, Quarter Finals Day 4; Kodai NARAOKA versus LEE Zii Jia in the Mens Singles competition, LEE Zii Jia celebrates winning the match Credit: Action Plus Sports/Alamy Live News

It is essential to keep a frustrating situation in perspective. Remember, not too long ago he was a top 3 seeded player -a testament to his talent and skill – it is crucial to acknowledge that he has not regressed into a sub-par player overnight. Like any athlete there are difficulties and the journey to peak performance can be arduous.

Bringing WONG Tat Meng on board as his coaching director is a statement of ambition. He has a great cv and a broad experience of nurturing players to reach their full potential all over the world. He has come home to Malaysia to use this expertise to strengthen LZJ for the challenges ahead.

And so – for now – we must regard LZJ as dynamic work in progress. He is desperate to show that his sweat on the practice court equals trophies on the show court, but it is a transformational process that has to evolve. He needs more routes to victory when he cannot blast his way past an opponent; so, by reworking his game to incorporate different options depending on the challenges of the match he will become a more resilient player.

WTM must unpick and analyse the elements of LZJ’s game that are not working. They have to refine and enhance. All this against the whirlwind of endless tournaments, unrelenting press pressure and his player’s self-criticism. So, he has identified his first priorities as: consistency, improving ranking and securing qualification for the Paris Olympics next year.

The World Championships are looming, and it is probable that he will be arriving in Copenhagen as an unseeded player. The important thing is not only how far he can advance through the rounds but also the trajectory of his metamorphosis. Will he prolong rallies? What is going to happen to his unorthodox smash? Does he have the physical stamina to go deep into the draw after his recent early exits?

Sun Tzu said that victory comes from finding opportunities in problems. As I reflect on Lee Zii Jia, I firmly believe that he does have the mental agility to innovate and the grit to persevere through difficult times. Champions are not solely defined by victory but by their courage in defeat and determination to overcome any obstacle placed in their path. Triumph over adversity is the ultimate measure of greatness.

If you enjoyed this then take a look at my recent article about WS and the Fab Four https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/05/06/badmintons-fab-four-the-womens-singles-players-who-dominate-the-sport/

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GOH Jin Wei

Three years after winning gold at the World Junior Championships for the second time GOH Jin Wei hung up her racket in Sept 2021 aged just 21. One of Malaysia’s most promising young players had cut her career short leaving fans and coaches wondering what might have been.

She embarked on a professional career in 2013 and was soon acknowledged as a potential superstar. Just like Akane Yamaguchi – another World Junior Champion – she was unhampered by her diminutive height. Her speed and agility formed a great platform for a dynamic style that forced mistakes and made her into a difficult opponent.

It turned out that her biggest challenge was not a rival she had faced across the net, instead she was having to confront serious health issues which forced her to step away from the courts. The effect on her body of a total colectomy was huge and despite her efforts to minimise the impact of the surgery and the side effects of her medication eventually she had to accept that she was too unwell to handle the demanding training regime at the National centre.

Although GJW had quit the national set up she hadn’t completely walked away from badminton . In fact, by giving herself space she was beginning to see a way forward to manage her health and resume competition. Going at her own pace was effective. She signed a professional contract with Kuala Lumpur Racket Club at the beginning of January 2022.

In a shocking turn of events, she was then issued with a back-dated two-year ban from competing in BWF tournaments. This paralleled the sanctions on LEE Zii Jia following his request to become an independent professional player. Observers were dismayed at the severity of the punishment for actions that in other walks of life would be completely legitimate. On appeal and after high level arbitration, by the end of January the ban was overturned.

After the disruption and emotional roller coaster of her ban she was finally able to focus on playing. She had an encouraging 2022, playing in tournaments from Wales to Bangladesh, gradually accruing points and thus higher ranking. She has fought her way into the top 32 which means that she can enter higher ranking tournaments and most importantly be more selective about what she enters. We see a similar approach from TAI Tzu Ying and Viktor Axelsen; the simple fact is that getting to a QF in these tournaments gets good points.

Following her recent European games concerns have been raised by commentators about her susceptibility to injury, highlighting the need for her to continue to work on her physical resilience. However, it is crucial to look at her performances considering her surgery and the meagre diet she subsists on. In fact, if games are scheduled at an unfavourable time of day, it’s likely that she will be competing on an empty stomach with only fluids for sustenance. I think she is still searching for ways to mitigate the impact this has on her training and recovery.

The Olympic qualifying period begins in May 2023 and she is eyeing the possibility of competing in Paris with optimism bolstered by a renewed sponsorship from Li-Ning. Her journey has been full of obstacles but her determination to overcome these challenges is remarkable. Undoubtedly she is an exceptional athlete with an unwavering dedication to badminton.

GJW has a great YOUTube channel. If you are interested in finding out more about her life then check it out.

If you enjoyed reading this then you may like this article abbout LEE Zii Jia https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/03/25/lee-zii-jias-european-tour-2023/

LEE Zii Jia’s European Tour 2023

Two semifinals on two Saturdays in a row – including at the All England – means that LZJ can review the past few weeks work with satisfaction. Before he arrived in Europe, fans were eager to see him bounce back from January’s trend of early exits from tournaments; he has emerged from a gloomy slump to continue his journey to more success.

At his best there is nothing that compares to watching LZJ in full flow. His formidable power and athleticism generate excitement and the highest expectations. Measuring up to – and managing – these expectations has been a huge challenge for him and his team.

The German Open began brightly with an assured victory in R1 but the optimism was punctured by a shock elimination in the next round to CHIA Hao Lee. Judging by LZJ’s distressed reaction on his infamous Instagram post this defeat stung. It highlighted how lonely his path has become.

On to the All England and it was carnage for the MS seeds in the early rounds this year, but Zii Jia swerved danger and managed to build momentum. Two consecutive two-set victories finally earned him the right to a quarter final against Kodai Naraoka. KN had dumped LZJ out of the Malaysia Open in the opening round back in January so this was a potentially tricky match, but he remained composed and took his revenge. It was a hard-fought win over 3 sets and gave him his first semifinal for a while. Facing the resurgent SHI Yu Qui for a place in the final he couldn’t quite equal his opponent’s attack and was beaten in straight sets. Reflecting on his campaign LEE said he was at 70% of his best and had learned to believe in himself again

“I think I have proven myself in this tournament. Yes, it may be just a semi-final, but I’ll take it step by step, and I can only get better”.
LZJ speaking at the All England 2023

Another week, another tournament and onto Basel for the Swiss Open. An opening game against LI Shi Feng – newly crowned as All England champion – and the player who had despatched LZJ from the second round of the India Open in January. This time it was the Malaysian who came out on top in three sets. R2 followed by another win, this time against Nhat Nguyen to set up a QF against LEE Chia Hao. Remember that shock early exit from the German Open? Not this time. Although both men looked a bit fatigued Zii Jia battled through to his second semifinal in a week. Unfortunately, this proved to be one match too many for his tired legs and he was defeated quite swiftly by Watanabe.

Team LZJ have said on many occasions that their ultimate goal is to reach the 2024 Paris Olympics. Sometimes it seems that this big picture can be diluted by the frustration of losing a match. No-one wins anything by winning everything; there has to be an acknowledgment by some fans and commentators that losing is part of the process of becoming a better, more resilient athlete.

Full disclosure – I’m a huge fan. I love his raw intimidating intensity; the power and precision he can bring to his shots is top quality. It’s clear though that his self-belief can falter in the face of a poor result and the sometimes brutal (unjustified) criticism that that can attract. He’s an athlete who needs a strong support network who can keep his focus on positives and not let him get bogged down in negativity.

Europe has had a liberating effect. Zii Jia has a chance now to return home and recharge his batteries ready for the challenges to come.

If you enjoyed this take a look at my article about Ng Tze Yong at the All England this year https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/03/16/ng-tze-yong-player-of-the-day/

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LEE Zii Jia

Fans have been banging the drum about Zii Jia’s potential for years and in 2021 with his triumph at the All England there was a feeling that he had truly cemented his place as one of the best MS in the world. During 2022 the maverick talent that is LEE Zii Jia has been on an intense roller coaster. Supporters have relished sweet victories against a background of severe challenges and ferocious criticism.

LZJ is a thrilling athlete to watch on court. His attack-minded approach is electrifying as he has the raw power to overwhelm all but the best defences. His great racket skills allow him to execute the orthodox strokes but also liberate him to use his distinctive shots too. Best known of course is his backhand smash with pirouette. Backhand with added ballet is a showstopper; the velocity that the shuttle attains as it flies cross-court is sensational. It could be risky: he has his back to his opponent, he must regain balance quickly and it goes cross-court, but its effectiveness is obvious. He loves to get angles and pace working to undo adversaries.

His more unorthodox shots are at the heart of his authentic badminton self. His jumping net kill seems an unnecessary use of energy – why jump? But his control at the net can often open up his opportunities to hit hard. His unique style of jump smash really does seem to give him something extra. I spotted he was not fully following through with his racket arm but there is more to his action than that. Some commentators liken it to a volleyball-style spike and there does seem to be similarities in the way that body weight is used to generate power. The bottom line is that the menace and strength he can summon up are fearsome.

He faced a huge risk to his career when he chose to become an independent player. He offered his resignation to BAM in mid-January and sparked a furore that ran out of control and threatened his future in the game. His decision to sever ties with his country’s badminton association initially led to a two-year ban and the prospect of a dazzling career destroyed became real for a time.

Thankfully, after an uncomfortable stalemate, they brokered a compromise, and he continued on his path. It was a bold step that mirrored Viktor Axelsen’s split from Badminton Denmark a few months earlier. Axelsen observed that players must do what is best for themselves. Everyone knows that these two players have been nurtured by their home associations from an early age and it is notable that they are world #1 and #3 with an identical goal of Olympic Gold in Paris 2024.

Fan’s opinions of his best matches invariably highlight Malaysia’s 2022 Thomas Cup campaign. Zii Jia was dynamite in his games. He demolished Momota in ¾ of an hour to lay the foundation for his team to top their group. In the QF against India, Lakshya Sen could not contain him after losing a tight first set and was dispatched in the second. May 2022 saw him hit a purple patch with the Gold medal at the Badminton Asia Championships, and the title at the Thailand Open.

His rivalry with Axelsen often inspires his best performances. At the Indonesia Open this year, his battle with Viktor in the SF is regarded as the game of the tournament. The All England SF in 2020 was a heavy-duty clash over 3 sets in which the Dane eventually won; the return fixture the following year in the 2021 All-England Final was a different story and proved Zii Jia’s progress. An extraordinary first set was secured 30-29, set two lost 20-22 but LZJ won his first Super 1000 title in the third. Attack, stamina, and mental strength got him to the top of the podium. This dual has a way to unfold yet.

He wasn’t at his best at the recent World Championships – citing injury and stress – but there’s no doubt that he will arrive in Europe refreshed and refocused ready to claim more points towards his goal of being World #2 by the end of the year. Planning training sessions with Viktor and Anders Antonsen is a declaration of intent from an ambitious competitor. Provided he is not overburdened by expectations there are no limits to the results his maverick brilliance could achieve. This is a player who can hear history calling.

If you enjoyed this, then take a look at my article about PearThin https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2021/11/21/pearly-tan-thinaah-muralitharan/

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