THE honour of winning Malaysia’s 50th gold went to Nicol David but the star performer for the country at the Commonwealth Games has always been badminton.
Of the 49 previous gold medals, including the one won by weightlifter Mohd Hafifi Mansor on Friday, 24 were won by national shuttlers and the present generation are looking to add even more after winning the mixed team title on Monday.
They came into the Games with what looked like a stretched target of two but after beating England 3-1 at the Emirates Arena, coach Jeremy Gan believes four — the same number of gold won in New Delhi four years ago — is now within reach in Glasgow.
“We have a very good chance in the men’s singles and doubles and I believe we shouldn't rule ourselves out of the women’s doubles,” said Jeremy.
Chong Wei Feng, despite stuttering in the team final, looks good to keep the singles gold in Malaysian hands.
So do men’s doubles Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong while the women’s pair who Jeremy is looking at for the fourth gold are Woon Khe Wei-Vivian Kah.
“The team event gold is a massive boost and having seen our form and that of the opposition, I believe we can win two or even three more gold medals.
“The players were nervous coming into the Games but produced their best in the team event and I am sure they are now fired up for the individual events.”
Only Chan Peng Soon and Vivian are survivors from the 2010 cast but the result could well be the same after the team exploits.
Victory on Monday was achieved when woman singles Tee Jing Yi delivered the winning point but it was a team effort that got Malaysia past England 3-1 in the final.
Jing Yi, coaxed back into the BA of Malaysia fold after having quit the team last year, beat Sara Walker 21-16, 21-17.
Malaysia got off to a losing start though as mixed doubles Peng Soon-Lai Pei Jing — the match-winners in the semi-final against Singapore — lost 21-14, 26-28 to Chris Adcock-Gabrielle Adcock,
Then came Wei Feng and he had to go the full distance before securing a 21-17, 19-21, 21-19 win over Rajiv Ouseph, silver medalist behind Lee Chong Wei in the singles four years ago.
V Shem-Wee Kiong put Malaysia into the lead with a 21-19, 21-17 win over Adcock-Andrew Ellis in the men’s doubles and Jing Yi then wrapped things up and the shuttlers can now look forward to the individual events which began yesterday.