Paris: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei gave Malaysia the perfect 68th National Day gift - producing a stunning performance of power and finesse to emerge as the mixed doubles world champions at the Adidas Arena in Paris tonight. The Malaysian world number three were on fire as they overcame second seeds Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin 21-15, 21-14 in 40 devastating minutes to hand Malaysia its first gold medal in the event at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Championships.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Malaysians were buoyed by shouts of 'Merdeka!' and were in an inspired mood, mixing power, precision, and patience to send the mighty Chinese pair packing, with Ee Wei masterful at the net and Tang Jie at his leaping best at the back court. What made the victory all the more satisfying is that Tang Jie-Ee Wei never once flinched despite going into the match with a 1-3 record against the Chinese pair, including a loss at the Japan Open last month.
Tonight's victory ends a nearly two-decade wait for the world title, with Malaysia's previous best-ever achievement in mixed doubles being a semi-final appearance by Koo Kien Keat-Wong Pei Tty at the 2006 edition in Madrid, Spain. Ee Wei admitted later that their 'thirst' for victory came from the significance of the occasion. She explained that the pressure was immense, especially during the last 16, but they stuck to their game plan and persevered.
Ee Wei also highlighted the importance of staying focused and learning from past mistakes. She mentioned that whenever they made mistakes, instead of getting frustrated, they re-focused on their strategy. The coaches played a significant role by reminding them to take deep breaths to maintain a clear mind during the match.
Meanwhile, Tang Jie expressed his indescribable joy and emphasized their mental and physical preparation. He felt thrilled that they could now be referred to as world champions. Tang Jie noted that their primary focus was to enjoy the match and not worry about the outcome, which contributed to their success.