BANGKOK: Losing 10 kilogrammes in three months has benefited national men's doubles shuttler Teo Ee Yi, especially on the court.
Apart from looking sharp, the 25-year-old says he is moving faster and having more energy due to his light weight.
This will certainly add more firepower to the national men's team as Ee Yi becomes a lethal weapon for Malaysia who start their Thomas Cup campaign at the IMPACT Arena in Bangkok against Russia on Monday.
"I have lost a total of 10kg in the last three months, as I have been following a strict diet plan," said Ee Yi, when met at the national team's final training session at the Hippocampus Badminton Hall on Sunday.
"I feel lighter, so that allows me to move faster. I also feel like I have more energy on court.
"It's not easy though, as I have to sacrifice some of my favourite food like nasi lemak and McDonald’s, but it's a choice I made to feel and look better."
Ee Yi, however, is without his regular partner Ong Yew Sin, who did not make the cut for the Thomas Cup.
Instead, he has been training with various partners to form a solid scratch pair for the tournament.
"I have been training a lot with Aaron (Chia), but also with others like Arif (Latif) and Soh Wooi Yik," added Ee Yi.
The other men's doubles pair in the team are national No 1 and 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medallists Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong.
Malaysia, out to end their Thomas Cup drought since winning the title in 1992, will play Russia in their opening tie. The other teams in the group are Denmark and Algeria.