KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Soniia Cheah will probably go on to play in a couple more Sea Games, but winning a medal on home soil would make a world of difference for her.
The 24-year-year national No. 1 will be making her debut in the individual event, and despite it being tipped to be one of the toughest disciplines, she is still hoping to come through with a medal.
“The last time Malaysia hosted the games was way back in 2001... I don’t know if I would still be playing when we host it again, so yes it would mean the world to me to finish on the podium,” said Soniia, who only fully returned to competitive action last year after battling injuries for two years.
“There is no pressure on me because being able to participate in this year’s games is already a huge achievement, especially when I only made a full comeback last year. My goal is to play each match well, one step at a time.”
Soniia, who is currently ranked No. 24 in the world, will have to face tough challenges from both Thailand and Indonesia, including world No. 12 and top seed Busanan Ongbumrungphan.
Other top players in the fray are Indonesia’s Fitriani Fitriani and Gregoria Mariska, and Thailand’s world No. 22 Pornpawee Chochuwong.
“I may be the fourth seeded player because of my world ranking, but I cannot take it easy because my record against some of these players is not at all convincing. In fact, my record against (fellow Malaysian) Goh Jin Wei is not so good. I must work hard and play really well,” said Soniia.
Former world junior champion Jin Wei is racing against time to recover fully from an injury she picked up last month, as she is the other Malaysian to compete in the individual event which on Aug 26 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
At the previous edition in Singapore two years ago, Jin Wei had to settle for the bronze medal.
Ho Yen Mei and 2015 world junior runner-up Lee Ying Ying are also in the squad for the women’s team event that starts on Tuesday.
The BA of Malaysia (BAM) have set a target of two gold medals, two silver and four bronze for this year’s games.