KUALA LUMPUR: Academy Badminton Malaysia coaching director Rexy Mainaky has praised women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah for the incredible fighting spirit they showed at the Paris Olympics.
The World No. 12 pair lost to Japan's world No. 4 duo Chiharu Shida-Nami Matsuyama in the bronze medal decider at Porte de La Chapelle Arena yesterday.
Their performances from the group stage until the semi-finals earlier this week, however, won the hearts of fans around the world.
"We saw them fight incredibly hard, they proved that they can carry a huge responsibility (Malaysia's medal hopes) on their shoulders," said Rexy yesterday.
"They pushed China's world No. 1 (Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan) to the limit before losing in the group stage and were still able to finish runners-up in their group.
"They went on to upset South Korea's world No. 10 (Kim So Yeong-Kong Hee Yong) in the quarterfinals which was not easy as they (So Yeong-Hee Yong) were bronze medallists in Tokyo.
"They showed the youngsters how they carried out their responsibilities (as national players) when people had doubted their ability to go far in the competition."
Pearly-Thinaah had been given a tough group draw alongside Qing Chen-Yi Fan, former world champions Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara (Japan) and Apriyani Rahayu-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti (Indonesia) which had many questioning whether they could reach the quarterfinals.
Pearly-Thinaah again met Qing Chen-Yi Fan in the semi-finals and were again edged in a close encounter.
Rexy said their semi-final loss had affected their performance in the bronze medal match against Shida-Matsuyama.
"If they had won their semi-final, they would have already been guaranteed a medal. So having to win the bronze medal match gave them added pressure," said Rexy.
"They may not admit it (pressure) but it was clear for all to see."