Gutsy Lydia out to defy the odds in individual and team events

LANKY Malaysian shuttler Lydia Cheah knows it’s a tall order for her to come good in her first Asian Games outing.

But, then again, this gutsy shuttler is made of sterner stuff and she is ready to defy the odds – in both the team and individual events – at the Asian Games in Guangzhou.

The three-day team event will begin on Saturday, followed by the individual event from Nov 16-21.

Lydia, who will be playing as the second singles, said she would consider it a success for the Malaysian women shuttlers if they could get the better of Hong Kong in the opening round.

“We do not have a good draw. It will tough from the first round onwards. If we get past Hong Kong, it will be South Korea in the quarter-finals,” said Lydia.

“For now, our mission is to pull the rug from under Hong Kong. They are the favourites but we are not ready to throw in the towel.”

Besides Lydia and Wong Mew Choo, the others – Tee Jing Yi, Sannatasah Saniru, Woon Khe Wei-Marylen Ng Paou Leng, Vivian Hoo-Lim Yin Loo and Goh Liu Ying – are all Asiad debutants.

Lydia will face an even more challenging task in the individual event as she in the same quarter as second seed Saina Nehwal of India and Hong Kong’s Yip Pui Yin.

“I will be up against Thi Thang Vu of Vietnam in the first round. If I clear that hurdle, I will face Saina. I have never beaten the Indian shuttler. Hopefully, I will be able to give her a tougher fight this time,” said Lydia.
“Overall, I hope this Asiad will be a good experience for me. I just want to go out there and enjoy the game.


Star