KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 — Malaysian pair Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah put up an impressive performance to emerge champions in the men's doubles final of the 2014 Malaysia Open Badminton Super Series Championship, here, today.
Their success was all the more sweeter as it was witnessed by local supporters who gave their enthusiastic and unwavering support to enable the duo humble the Chinese pair of Chai Biao-Hong Wei.
In the nerve-wracking match at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil, V Shem-Khim Wah demolished their challengers in straight sets of 21-19 and 21-18 in 45 minutes.
As champions, V Shem-Khim Wah received US$39,500 (about RM130,231) while runners-up Chai Biao-Hong Wei took home US$19,000 (about RM62,643).
A clearly satisfied Khim Wah said the hard work with his partner V Shem had paid off and regarded the success as having fired their enthusiasm to seek more victories in several major championships this year.
“We are definitely happy. This is our first success in front of the home crowd. We did face psychological attacks from the China pair. We also did the same to them, assisted by the supporters, which seemed to have impacted them more,” Khim Wah told reporters.
Admitting they did not want to be too comfortable with today's win, V Shem said they would rectify several weaknesses to face two major championships, namely the 2014 German Open Grand Prix Gold (Feb 25 - March 2) and the All England (March 4-9).
“We want to focus on one championship at a time and do not want to think too far as boosting performance is more important,” said V Shem.
V Shem said they also did not want to be lauded as the nation's number one men's doubles pair.
But, on the other hand, they hoped their triumph today could revive the spirit of the other two national men's doubles pairs of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong.
“To us, (the men's doubles) are a team. I hope that after this we (the three national men's doubles pairs) will be more consistent,” said V Shem.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong and Thien How-Wee Kiong were ousted early in the first round of the Malaysian Open this time.
For the record, the pair of V Shem-Khim Wah were broken up three times, the last time three months ago.
They got together for the Korean Open from Jan 7 to 12 but only made it to the quarter-finals. — Bernama
