Goh Soon Huat and Lai Shevon Jemie Reach First Super 1000 Badminton Final at Victor China Open 2024
Trang Napie
Thu Sep 26 2024
Goh Soon Huat and Lai Shevon Jemie, the Malaysian badminton duo, have overcome disappointments and doubts to make their way to the finals of the Super 1000 event at the prestigious Victor China Open 2024. Their journey from setbacks to success is a testament to resilience and determination.
Having faced setbacks at the past two Olympic Games, Goh and Lai found themselves in a challenging position. However, with mutual support and perhaps some divine intervention, they have turned their fortunes around. Following their acceptance of their fate at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the newlyweds clinched victories at the Swiss Open 2024 and Malaysia Masters 2024. Their latest triumph at the VICTOR China Open 2024 has propelled them to their first-ever Super 1000 final on the World Tour.
Lai, expressing her gratitude and faith, shared, “I follow the Christian faith, and there's a saying that I always remember: 'When one door closes, another opens.' We believe we are witnessing that, as we have never given up, and that has brought us to this point today." Goh added, “Yes, we are playing freely. There's less pressure.”
Overwhelmed with emotions, Lai continued, “It feels surreal. It's a feeling I've never experienced before. Now we have had 3 finals in a year. It's an unbelievable achievement for us, and I want to thank my partner for helping us hold onto this today.” Looking forward to the future, she expressed, “One of my dreams is to reach a Super 1000 final. I almost shed tears. We've been playing together for 6-7 years, and I always told him [Goh] that I wanted this, to have a big final one day. Every match we play is a step towards that dream."
For Goh, success is as simple as mindset. “It's all about the mindset,” he emphasized. “We performed well under pressure today. We were more comfortable, courageous, and stable,” referring to their 21-18, 21-18 victory against the Chinese pair Xing Cheng / Chi Zhang. “This is crucial for us. Because when we lose our mindset, we lose our focus. So, that's the key. A stable mindset.”
The journey of Goh Soon Huat and Lai Shevon Jemie from disappointment to triumph at the Victor China Open 2024 showcases the power of perseverance and belief in the face of adversity. Their resilience and teamwork have led them to their first Super 1000 final, a remarkable achievement in their badminton careers.