# Little dynamite Jin Wei could spring surprises in Uber Cup
# World junior champion has shown maturity in her game
By Rizal Abdullah
The Uber Cup Finals in Kunshan, China could yet see Malaysia’s young badminton talent display her skills in the game at a higher level against experienced opponents when the 26th edition gets underway on Sunday.
The 16-year-old Penangite has dislodged several seniors to be Malaysia’s No 2 women’s singles player. Her meteoric rise to No 55 in the latest world ranking list issued by the Badminton World Federation.
Tee Jing Yi remains as Malaysia’s number one women shuttler and is ranked No 29. Jing Yi is one of the Malaysian shuttlers who will feature in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August.
The third singles in Kunshan will be a toss between Ho Yen Mei and Sonia Cheah while world No 21 Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei are Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pair who have also sneaked into the Olympics.
Described as “fearless” by women’s singles coach Wong Tat Meng, Jin Wei has featured in two senior tournaments for the country. The first was the Sea Games in Singapore last year and she returned with a silver in the team event.
Her second senior outing was the Asian Team Championships in New Delhi and again did not disappoint the coaches for their faith in her and was the only player to secure a point in Malaysia’s 4-1 defeat to China – defeating China’s Sun Yu in the third singles.
For the record Jin Wei ended the Asian Team Championships with an unbeaten record by winning all her matches.
Malaysia have been drawn in a tough Group A with top seeds and defending champions China. The others in the group are European champions Denmark and Spain – powered by current world number one Carolina Marin.
Denmark are ranked No 8 in the world while Malaysia are at No 10 and Spain are No 11.
Malaysia have an even chance of achieving their quarter-final target in Kunshan and kick-start their campaign against the all-powerful China. Their second group match is against Denmark on May 17 and complete their preliminary round fixtures against Spain a day later.
Mixed doubles start Goh Liu Ying, who will also featured in the Rio Olympics with Chan Peng Soon, is the skipper of the team.
The Malaysian Uber Cup squad
Singles
Tee Jing Yi
Goh Jin Wei
Sonia Cheah
Ho Yen Mei
Doubles
Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei
Lee Meng Yean-Chow Mei Kuan
Amelia Alicia Anscelly-Goh Liu Ying
