KUALA LUMPUR: Women's squash player Chan Yiwen is getting help from some men for her World Championships debut in Cairo from May 9-18.
The Kedahan, who qualified for the world meet by winning last month's Asian Qualifier in Kuala Lumpur, has been sparring with national back-up players Harith Danial, Hafiz Zhafri, Amir Amirul Azhar and M. Nickleshwar in the past 10 days.
Yiwen, 23, who turned professional in 2014, said: "I have been sparring with male players to improve my game. I'm pushing myself to the limit as I want to be physically and mentally in top form for the world meet.
"I also get help from a psychologist from the National Sports Institute to prepare my mental strength," said world No. 77 Yiwen who won the Hong Kong Challenger Cup in February.
Yiwen will face England's world No. 38 Katie Maliff in the first round of the World Championships.
"I have never played Katie (who won the Ipswich Challenger Cup in February) before in a tournament. I expect a strong challenge from her. My goal is to go beyond the first round," said Yiwen.
If Yiwen gets past Maliff, she is likely to face world No. 7 and eighth seed Olivia Weaver of the United States in the second round.