SEA Games 2021: Malaysia end 23-year wait for gold in mixed-doubles

BAC GIANG – Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei finally ended Malaysia's 23-year wait for the SEA Games mixed doubles gold.

The duo, ranked 29 in the world, bagged the title after bouncing back from a set down to upset compatriots Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See 15-21, 19-21, 21-13 in a highly entertaining and energetic final at the Bac Giang Gymnasium here. 

Second seeds Pang Ron-Yee See, had started the match in an aggressive form to lead 11-5 in the first set, before going on to win it in 21-15 in 15 minutes.

After a close fight in the second set, Tang Jie-Yen Wei, aged 24 and 26 respectively, levelled the score with a narrow victory of 19-21 against the world number 23. 

With the winners to be decided in the rubber set, Tang Jie-Yen Wei rose to the occasion, winning in 21-13 to the cheers of the 2,000-odd spectators at the indoor arena. 

Tan Jie-Yen Wei advanced to the final after ousting Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Mentari of Indonesia 20-22, 21-13, 21-18, while Pang Ron-Yee See completed the double win for Malaysia by beating another Indonesian pair, Adnan Maulana-Mychelle Crhystine Bandaso, 18-21, 21-16, 21-17 in the semi-finals, yesterday. 

The losing semi-finalists take the bronze. 

The last time Malaysia clinched the mixed doubles gold in the SEA Games was in the 1999 edition in Brunei via Chew Choon Eng-Chor Hooi Yee.

Meanwhile, in the women’s doubles, Yee See's partnership with Cheng Su Hui had to settle with a bronze medal after losing to Thailand’s Benyapa Aimsaard-Nuntakarn Aimsaard, 16-21, 6-21 in the semi-finals yesterday, while the men’s team bagged silver on Wednesday. 

With today's win, Malaysia ended their 31st SEA Games badminton campaign here with a gold, two silver and a bronze.

However, the young Malaysians shuttlers this time, failed to defend the men’s singles title won by Lee Zii Jia, the women’s singles title (S. Kisona) and men’s doubles title (Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik) in the 2019 Philippines edition.

The 3-2-5 haul in 2019 was the country’s best achievement in decades, which also ensured Malaysia emerged as the best nation in the SEA Games badminton competition for first time since the 1975 Bangkok edition. – Bernama, May 22, 2022