KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles shuttler Chan Peng Soon wants his fourth and final appearance at the Commonwealth Games to be a golden affair.
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The 34-year-old, who will partner debutante Cheah Yee See in Birmingham this month, wants to end his wait for the elusive individual crown after settling for a bronze at the previous edition in Gold Coast, Australia, with his former partner Goh Liu Ying.
Speaking to the press yesterday, the 2016 Olympic silver medallist said: “Firstly, I think it’s a huge achievement to be able to play in four Commonwealth Games. I feel very honoured.
“On our target, I definitely want to win the mixed doubles gold.
“This is not just my fourth appearance but definitely my last at the Commonwealth Games.
“It’s a big deal for me because it’s one of the most prestigious competitions in the world.
“I know it won’t be easy because there will be stiff challenges coming from Singapore, England and India, but I believe we are in good shape.”
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While his heart and mind are bent on winning the individual gold, Peng Soon pointed out that it will be tough to wrestle the mixed team title from India after losing to them in the 2018 final.
Peng Soon, who partnered Lai Pei Jing at the 2014 edition, has rallied his teammates to rise to the occasion and achieve the two-gold medal target set by the BA of Malaysia (BAM).
“Of course, it will be very difficult to defeat India in the team event. Overall, they look solid.
“But I am confident that we will achieve the two-gold target if we play to our true ability,” added Peng Soon, who won the mixed team gold medal twice in 2010 and 2014.
The other mixed doubles pair in the squad are world No 9 Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing.
For the team event, Malaysia are in Group Four with South Africa, Jamaica and Zambia.
The individual draw will be announced later.-NST