KUALA LUMPUR: The word "relax" is not in Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei's dictionary despite the badminton pair having secured a ticket to the Paris Olympics in July.
Instead, the Malaysian world No. 9 mixed doubles just want to be fully focused on intense training in preparation for their debut at the world's greatest sporting event.
"We have qualified for the Olympics but we are yet Olympic champions. So, we cannot relax," said Tang Jie.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei are the only Malaysian mixed doubles pair to qualify for the Paris Games after the conclusion of the one-year Olympic qualifying period last month.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei are scheduled to compete in the Malaysia Masters on May 21-26 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
In the absence of several top pairs in the world, Tang Jie-Ee Wei will start as second seeds behind Thailand's former world champions, Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattnachai.
Tang Jie said he and Ee Wei have not set specific targets for the tournament, but will probably do so closer to the tournament.
"Every tournament is important to us, but we want to focus on training first. When we edge closer to the tournament, we'll think of other matters," he said.
In last year's Malaysia Masters, Tang Jie-Ee Wei were sent packing in the first round after losing in three games to Indonesia's Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas Mentari.
Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing were the last Malaysian mixed doubles pair to be crowned Malaysia Masters champions, a feat they achieved in 2017. - FABIAN PETER