22/05/2025

SPORTS THURSDAY | MAY 22, 2025

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Malaysian Paper

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New game, same passion

TWO iconic names who once brought glory to Malaysia on the Olympic stage are making their mark in sports once again, this time on a smaller but no less competitive court: pickleball. Former national badminton player and Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist Chan Peng Soon, along with Malaysian hockey legend Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi, are now active participants in the fast-growing sport gaining popularity across the country. Pickleball, a hybrid of badminton, tennis and table tennis, has become a compelling alternative for retired athletes who still possess the competitive spirit. Since announcing his retirement from professional badminton last year, Peng Soon admitted that his passion for racquet sports has never waned. Encouraged by friends, he took up pickleball in June last year and has since embraced it as a

RESULTS & STANDINGS

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Crystal Palace 4 (Nketiah 27, 32, Chilwell 50, Eze 86) Wolves 2 (Agbadou 24, Strand Larsen 62) , Manchester City 3 (Marmoush 14, Silva 38, Gonzalez 89) Bournemouth 1 (Jebbison 90+6) . P W D L F A Pts Liverpool 37 25 8 4 85 40 83 Arsenal 37 19 14 4 67 33 71 Man City 37 20 8 9 70 44 68 Newcastle 37 20 6 11 68 46 66 Chelsea 37 19 9 9 63 43 66 Aston Villa 37 19 9 9 58 49 66 Nottm Forest 37 19 8 10 58 45 65 Brighton 37 15 13 9 62 58 58 Brentford 37 16 7 14 65 56 55 Fulham 37 15 9 13 54 52 54 Bournemouth 37 14 11 12 56 46 53 Crystal Palace 37 13 13 11 50 50 52 Everton 37 10 15 12 41 44 45 Wolves 37 12 5 20 53 68 41 West Ham 37 10 10 17 43 61 40 Man Utd 37 10 9 18 42 54 39 Tottenham 37 11 5 21 63 61 38 Leicester 37 6 7 2433 78 25 Ipswich 37 4 10 23 35 79 22 Southampton 37 2 6 29 25 84 12 CHAMPIONS RELEGATED Note: Top five qualify for the 2025/26 Champions League; bottom three rele gated to Championship. Malaysia more than a stop for Tien Chen FOR Taiwan’s top men’s singles shuttler Chou Tien Chen, competing in Malaysia means more than just chasing titles, it’s about building lasting friendships and finding what he describes as a “second home” on court. Every time Tien Chen arrives in Malaysia for tournaments, the world No. 7 makes it a point to train with local players, cherishing both the camaraderie and competitive spirit he finds here. Among those he regularly hits the court with are two-time Paralympic gold medallist Cheah Liek Hou and professional shuttler Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, all under the guidance of experienced coach Nova Armada. The 34-year-old said he values the warm welcome and high-quality sparring he receives in Malaysia, a country that continues to play a key role in his preparations. “My teammates from Taiwan also join me in training here. Liek Hou and coach Nova are good friends of mine. They always welcome me to train here,”he told reporters during the Malaysia Masters 2025 at Axiata Arena. Tien Chen also shared that he plans to remain in Malaysia for training before heading to his next assignment, the Singapore Open 2025, scheduled from May 27 to June 1. He will open his campaign in Singapore with an all-Taiwan clash against compatriot Chi Yu Jen. Earlier, Tien Chen suffered a surprise straight-sets defeat at the hands of India’s Sathish Kumar Karunakaran, going down 13-21, 14-21 in the opening round of the Malaysia Masters. The third seed admitted he struggled to handle Sathish’s dominance at the net, which forced him into a series of uncharacteristic errors. So far, 2025 has been a challenging year for Tien Chen. Out of nine tournaments, his best showing came at the Taiwan Open, where he finished as runner-up. Despite the setbacks, Tien Chen remains determined to fight his way back to top form, staying committed to his training and long-term goals. – Bernama

Mokhsin, who regularly plays with friends. Since picking up the sport in May last year, the former national hockey captain has become an avid player, training four to five times a week. “Pickleball offers a fresh, enjoyable experience. What makes it even more special is how it brings people together, regardless of background,” he said. The former national team hockey captain who represented Malaysia in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, Mirnawan is no stranger to competition, having already won several local pickleball tournaments with his team. The 53-year-old sports icon also revealed plans to open a pickleball centre in Selangor soon to meet the growing demand for facilities. – Bernama

new hobby. To test his skills, Peng Soon has competed in several local tournaments and quickly recognised the sport’s growth potential in Malaysia. In response, he opened a pickleball centre in Subang Jaya last year under his badminton academy. “I saw pickleball becoming a trend – that’s why I grabbed the opportunity to open a dedicated pickleball facility. “I believe the sport has huge potential, so I’m doing my part to support its development in Malaysia,”he said, adding that the centre houses 18 courts with rental starting at RM50 per hour. Meanwhile, Mirnawan shared that he was introduced to pickleball by his wife, Datin Noorah

Soon Huat-Shevon crash out early … as young guns shine at the Malaysia Masters

206/25

21/05/2025

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RM15,724,403.34

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0982 + 8675 8675 + 0982 1191 + 0982

RM468,695.63

M ALAYSIA’S professional mixed dou bles pair, Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie, were handed a shock early exit in the first round of the Malaysia Masters 2025 after going down to Denmark’s Mads Vestergaard-Christine Busch at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil yesterday. The world No. 3 pair and defending champions failed to assert their dominance, losing 18-21, 19-21 in straight sets in 38 minutes to the Danish world No. 20 duo, a disappointing result for 31-year-old Shevon, who admitted that inconsistency plagued their performance. “Overall, I take this as a valuable lesson. We’re still in the process of regaining rhythm and momentum, and currently experimenting with new tactical approaches that will take time to adapt to on court. “We tried today, but it didn’t work. Still, I believe this is just the beginning as we aim to showcase a more versatile playing style in future tournaments,” she told reporters after the match. Shevon said Soon Huat’s recent injury had disrupted their preparations, with the pair undergoing only two weeks of challenging training ahead of the tournament. “Soon Huat’s condition is improving but we will be more cautious in tournament selection moving forward and limit our schedule to a maximum of three consecutive events,” she said. Malaysia’s Aaron Tai (left) and Kang Khai Xing in action against Denmark’s William Kryger Boe and Christian Faust Kjaer at the Perodua Malaysia Masters. – BERNAMAPIC

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Soon Huat, meanwhile, shared that his foot injury has healed significantly, and he is now able to jump and move more freely during matches. “In mixed doubles, the male player plays a crucial role, so I have to ensure I’m in top physical condition,” he said. In other mixed doubles action, national pair Too Ming Yap-Lee Yu Shan were also sent packing after losing to Thailand’s Ratchapol Makkasasithorn-Nattamon Laisuan, 9-21, 13-21 in just 23 minutes. However, Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien booked their place in the second round after overcoming another Thai pair, Supak Jomkoh Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn, 22-20, 21-19. Tien Ci and Chiew Sien will next face sixth seeds from Thailand, Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran, who earlier defeated Taiwan’s Chang Ko Chi-Lin Jhih Yun 21-12, 21-13. Meanwhile, in the men’s doubles, rising Malaysian pair Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing stunned 2025 Thailand Open runners-up William Kryger Boe-Christian Faust Kjaer of Denmark, winning 12-21, 21-11, 21-17 to advance to the second round. The young pair will face a tough test in the next round against seventh seeds from Denmark, Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard, who eased past Taiwan’s Ming Che Lu-Tang Kai Wei 21-10, 21-14. – Bernama

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