No disgrace as Tang Jie-Ee Wei falter at last hurdle

PETALING JAYA: The fairy tale run of national mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei came to an end when they lost to home pair Zheng Si Wei-Huang Y a Qiong in the final of the BWF World Tour Finals today.

Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who put up a sterling performance, fell to the defending champions and world No 3 pair in three games – 18-21, 21-14, 17-21 – in a 74-minute match at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre.

Despite playing against the experienced Olympic gold medallists and three-time winners of the BWF World Tour Finals in front of the vociferous home crowd, the young Malaysians showed composure and resilience throughout the match.

Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who had created history by reaching the final, had hoped for a win in their clash today.

They will take home the runners-up prize of US$100,000 (RM445,000), while Si Wei-Ya Qiong pocket US$210,000 (RM934,600).

Tang Jie, 26, and Ee Wei, 24, can hold their heads high with their performance today, with many fans taking to social media to express their praise and support.

Some said entering the final of such a major championship where only the top eight ranked pairs were eligible was in itself a victory.

“Entering the final with many other more experienced and top-level players in the category is an amazing feat. And winning a set against the Olympic champions is great,” said one netizen.

Besides winning the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Chinese pair also won the Indonesian Open and Singapore Open this year.

Tang Jie-Ee Wei, currently world No 8, will rise to No 5 after amassing 10,000 points in the championship.