KUALA LUMPUR: Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei are confident that mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto can nurture more world-class pairs for Malaysia.
Nova, a two-time mixed doubles world champion and silver medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with partner Liliyana Natsir, joined the BA of Malaysia (BAM) in December 2022.
World No. 6 Tang Jie and Ee Wei were paired up in November 2022, just a month before Nova's arrival, and have since emerged as a formidable top-10 pair under his guidance.
"He is very professional and a good person. We are lucky to have a coach like him," said Ee Wei on Tuesday.
"He not only takes care of us but also other pairs in the national team. I believe he can guide more pairs to the top."
This year has been a rollercoaster for Tang Jie-Ee Wei.
Despite many challenges, they reached five World Tour finals — Thailand Open, Thailand Masters, Swiss Open, Korea Open and the World Tour Finals.
They clinched the Korea Open — their third title as a pair.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei also qualified for their maiden Olympics, advancing to the quarter-finals in Paris before losing to eventual silver medallists Kim Won Ho-Jeong Na Eun of South Korea.
"Our first Olympics and first final at the World Tour Finals were definitely the highlights of our season," said Tang Jie.
Ee Wei added: "Despite the ups and downs this season, we always supported each other.
"Qualifying for the Olympics is my highlight of the year. It was not easy, as we had two senior pairs outside the national set-up chasing after us. But we proved ourselves by securing our spot."
The professional pairs challenging Tang Jie-Ee Wei for Olympic qualification — Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai — fell behind as the qualifying period concluded in late April.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei are now gearing up for the Super 1000 Malaysia Open on Jan 7-12.
"We are on home ground, so of course, we want to be champions. There are still two weeks to go, so we will give our all in training and hope the results will show on the court," Ee Wei added.