SEA GAMES: KAREN-AI XIN EYE GOLD TO END 30-YEAR WAIT 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The historic achievement of becoming the first Malaysian pair to clinch a World Tour title at the World Table Tennis Feeder Vientiane 2025 in Laos last August has fired up the spirit of national women’s doubles pair Karen Lyne-Tee Ai Xin to pursue gold at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.  

Karen is optimistic that the long-awaited gold medal, which has eluded Malaysia for more than 30 years in the event, is now within reach, given that the gap between them and other regional challengers has narrowed in recent times.  

“I feel our performance is getting better. Of course, the challenge will be tough, but we will try our best. 

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“So far, this year we have also taken part in many overseas tournaments and that has helped improve our performance,” she told reporters after receiving a visit from the Chef de Mission (CDM) to the 2025 SEA Games, Nurul Huda Abdullah, at the national table tennis squad’s training venue here today.  

Meanwhile, Ai Xin admitted she was thrilled to present the nation with its first-ever World Tour title, which has certainly boosted their motivation to chase more proud achievements in the future.  

Meanwhile, national coach Beh Lee Wei has set her charges the target of bringing home gold at the 2025 SEA Games.  

She said apart from the women’s doubles, both the men’s and women’s team events also have the potential to contribute gold medals for Malaysia in Thailand, which would improve on their haul of three silvers and two bronzes at the previous edition in Cambodia.  

The women’s doubles pair of Phua Bee Sim-Chong Choi Thing were the last Malaysians to win gold in the event at the 1991 SEA Games in Manila.  

The 2025 Thailand SEA Games are scheduled to be held from Dec 9 to 20 in three provinces – Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla.

-- BERNAMA