KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 10 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai remain resolute despite a challenging start to their Paris Olympics qualification campaign.
Soon Huat-Shevon suffered another disappointment when they were eliminated in the mixed doubles second round of the Australian Open on Thursday, losing 21-17, 18-21, 21-17 to Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito.
Their journey to Sydney this week marked their eighth tournament since the one-year Race to Paris qualifying period commenced in May.However, Soon Huat-Shevon's performance has not improved beyond the second round in competitions, placing them 20th in the Race to Paris rankings.
The only Malaysian pair currently within the top 16 are Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, in seventh position.A country can only qualify a maximum of two pairs, provided both are ranked in the top eight of the Race to Paris rankings at the end of April next year.
"It has been challenging since the start of the qualification period. Despite our dedicated efforts, we are struggling to find form," said Shevon."But I don't think it's the time to have any doubts about our journey. We need to work with what we have and keep pushing forward.
"I believe the results will follow. Although it's easier said than done, we have been putting in a lot of effort but have yet to see desired results. "But that's the essence of this journey; it won't always be smooth sailing, and the challenges will keep coming. As we face and train to overcome them, that is where we will improve and learn."
Soon Huat-Shevon will now take a short break before returning for the World Championships in Copenhagen from August 21-27.Meanwhile, Taiwan Open champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei crashed out, losing 21-16, 17-21, 21-19 to Indonesia's Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas Mentari.
Malaysia's challenge in the mixed doubles saw a complete sweep with Hoo Pang Ron-Teoh Mei Xing's campaign also ending in the last 16. They put up a fight but ultimately fell 22-20, 11-21, 21-12 to South Korea's Seo Seung Jae-Chae Yu Jung.