Nova’s another mixed pair shaping up well for LA2028

PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttlers Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin have the potential to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Pang Ron-Su Yin, who were combined last year, have started to find their feet after initially struggling in World Tour competitions.

The duo recently reached a career high No. 24 in the world and mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto believes they could become a strong pair in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) behind national No. 1 and world No. 9 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.

“Since making a breakthrough in the World Tour by reaching the Hong Kong Open quarter-finals last month, I can see that Su Yin, especially has become more confident,” said Nova.

“She is still 21 and has a long way to go to become a top player but she is slowly gaining in experience. Hopefully, they can become a strong second pair for us.

“This pair have a chance to make the cut for the 2028 Olympics. It will be easier if we have two pairs fighting to qualify.”

BAM have lacked depth in the mixed doubles since the departure of 2016 Olympic Games silver medal winners Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing with Tang Jie-Ee Wei themselves only formed at the end of 2022.

Nova played an important role in developing Tang Jie-Ee Wei into a top 10 pair after he joined BAM at the same time that they were combined.

Now, the Indonesian is looking to do the same with Pang Ron-Su Yin.

Currently, the pair are the fourth ranked Malaysians in the mixed doubles behind Tang Jie-Ee Wei and independent pairs, world No. 10 Soon Huat-Shevon and world No. 14 Kian Meng-Pei Jing.

Pang Ron is happy with his progress so far with Su Yin and is out to continue his good work with the latter.

“We are happy to see our ranking going up slowly as we did not give up after every defeat,” said Pang Ron.

“As I always say, good things takes time and hard work. We will continue to work hard to achieve better results.”

Pang Ron-Su Yin will compete next in the back-to-back Japan Masters (Nov 12-17) and China Masters (Nov 19-24) which will be their last tournaments this year.