Kuala lumpur: National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky believes that Malaysia can win at least two badminton gold medals at the Dec 9-20 SEA Games in Thailand. Rexy is confident that these victories will be delivered by the 2025 World Championships mixed doubles champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and the 2025 World Championships women’s doubles runners-up Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Rexy noted that Malaysia has strong prospects in mixed doubles and women’s doubles. He identified Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran as significant competitors in mixed doubles, especially since they will be playing on their home ground. Rexy expressed optimism in Pearly and Thinaah’s potential to secure gold in women’s doubles, provided they are in peak condition, although he emphasized the importance of not putting pressure on them as this will be their first SEA Games outing.

Rexy also indicated the possibility of a gold medal in men’s doubles. He acknowledged the formidable competition from Indonesia and Thailand, who are equally eager to excel in the tournament. Rexy remarked that Indonesia, in particular, is likely to view the Thailand SEA Games as a prime opportunity to secure titles, given their recent performances against Malaysia’s top pairs.

In addition to Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, BAM is banking on former men’s doubles world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik. The national team for the Thailand SEA Games also includes Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh in men’s singles, and K. Letshanaa and Wong Ling Ching in women’s singles.

BAM is hopeful that Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in men’s doubles, Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing in women’s doubles, and Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin in mixed doubles will deliver impressive performances. At the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Malaysia’s backup shuttlers returned with two silver and four bronze medals, finishing behind Indonesia and Thailand.