Despite not being able to end the year with a bang, national mixed doubles shuttler Shevon Jemie Lai believes the challenges she and partner Goh Soon Huat faced this year will be a motivator for them to achieve greatness in 2020.
The pair can be considered one of the better performers in the national team this year after qualifying for the All England, Fuzhou China Open and Hong Kong Open semi-finals, as well as reaching the Korea Masters and SEA Games finals.
In the SEA Games final in the Philippines, they took on fancied Indonesian pair Praveen Jordan-Melati Daeva Oktavianti that ultimately swung in favour of their opponents, who won 19-21, 21-19, 23-21.
Contributing a fourth badminton gold medal to the national contingent and picking up their first title of the year would have been great, but Lai believes the best is yet to come.
"I believe this year has helped us build our trust for one another and for the challenges ahead. It’s not going to be easy but we are ready.
"More importantly, we learnt to appreciate every opportunity. The results will come," she told NST Sports.
Not making it easier this year was Goh's series of injuries, which meant they had to forgo a few tournaments and were unable to rank higher than current ranking eighth in the world.
As a result, they also missed out on the recently concluded BWF World Tour Finals.
"That period [of Goh's injuries] was challenging for us, mentally, emotionally, and it tested our faith and trust for each other.
"It got to a point where we both lost hope because it wasn’t just injury after injury, but the doctor’s diagnosis was also serious.
"Treatment for Soon Huat was going to take more time. Thankfully, things got better," she added.
The pair will begin the 2020 season on home turf, with the Malaysia Masters set to become the curtain raiser on the BWF calendar when it begins on January 7.
Nicolas Anil
Tue Dec 17 2019
Bagai merpati dua sejoli, Soon Huat-Shevon kongsi gambar praperkahwinan
Pasangan beregu campuran negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, hari ini berkongsi gambar praperkahwinan mereka, yang dijangka akan dilangsungkan tidak lama lagi.
Soon Huat-Shevon, Kian Meng-Pei Jing mara di Jerman
Beregu campuran negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie mara ke pusingan kedua Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Jerman 2024 yang berlangsung di Dewan Sukan Westenergie, Mulheim pada Rabu.
Badminton Terbuka Malaysia: Pilihan keenam sekat kemaraan Soon Huat-Shevon
Beregu campuran profesional negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, terkandas dalam pusingan kedua Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Malaysia BWF apabila tewas secara set langsung kepada pasangan pilihan keenam dari Thailand, Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai, di Arena Axiata sebentar tadi.
Terbuka Hong Kong BWF: Soon Huat-Shevon tepati ramalan ke separuh akhir
Beregu campuran profesional negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, menepati ramalan apabila layak ke separuh akhir Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Hong Kong BWF dengan menewaskan pasangan Indonesia, Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Hanintyas Mentari, secara set langsung di Kowloon sebentar tadi.
Badminton Dunia BWF: Tang Jie-Ee Wei penuh bergaya lolos ke pusingan ketiga
Pasangan beregu campuran negara naungan Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Cheng Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, tiada masalah menundukkan wakil Hong Kong, Reginald Lee Chun Hei-Ng Tsz Yau dalam pusingan pertama Kejohanan Badminton Dunia di Copenhagen, sebentar tadi.
Badminton Dunia BWF: Soon Huat-Shevon mudah ke pusingan ketiga
Beregu campuran profesional negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, menepati ramalan apabila mudah melayakkan diri ke pusingan ketiga Kejohanan Badminton Dunia Bwf di Copenhagen, Denmark awal pagi tadi.
Terbuka Indonesia: Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai gagal tepati status pilihan ketujuh
Beregu campuran negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, tersungkur awal dalam Terbuka Indonesia selepas tidak mampu mengekang kebangitan Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto-Lisa Ayu Kusumawati, hari ini.
BAC: Soon Huat-Shevon mara bergaya ke separuh akhir
Beregu campuran profesional negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, meneruskan perjuangan dalam Kejohanan Badminton Asia (BAC) apabila menewaskan pasangan Indonesia, Rinoy Rivaldi-Pitha Haningtyas Mentari, di Dubai, Emiriah Arab Bersatu (UAE) sebentar tadi.
Terbuka Switzerland BWF: Soon Huat-Shevon peroleh pengajaran berguna
Beregu campuran profesional negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai mengakui mereka agak terburu-buru pada penghujung set ketiga yang menjadi punca tewas kepada pasangan China, Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin di perlawanan akhir Terbuka Switzerland.
Terbuka Switzerland: Soon Huat-Shevon bergelar naib juara
Beregu campuran profesional negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, bergelar naib juara Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Switzerland selepas tewas kepada gandingan China, Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin di Basel sebentar tadi.
Portland Timbers v Seattle Sounders: Neville calls on hosts to put foot down in derby
The Cascadia Derby takes centre-stage in MLS this weekend as the Portland Timbers face the Seattle Sounders.
Los Angeles FC v Vancouver Whitecaps: All eyes on Western Conference summit after cup exploits
Preview: LAFC v Vancouver Whitecaps
Al-Ittihad 0-5 Al-Ettifaq: Ekambi scores hat-trick in five-star display
Al-Ettifaq ended their three-game winless run in style against a toothless Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.
Home advantage big help for Newcastle - Howe
Newcastle United prepare for the final home game of the season against Brighton, with Eddie Howe hoping to use that to their advantage.
Stuttgart set club record with victory over Augsburg
Stuttgart set new club record
Alaves 2-2 Girona: Wasteful Blanquivermells held to dramatic 2-2 draw
Girona's last-minute defensive lapse to draw leaves them looking over their shoulders as they open the door for Barcelona to leapfrog them.
Ireland shock Pakistan in T20I opener
Ireland beat Pakistan in opener
Frosinone 0-5 Inter: Nerazzurri thrash Canaries 5-0 for season's best win
Report: Frosinone 0-5 Inter
Moyes: Leaving is 'right decision' for me and West Ham
David Moyes will take charge of his final game at the London Stadium for West Ham against relegation-threatened Luton Town.
Djokovic makes winning return in Italian Open
Djokovic through in Italian Open