Jayce
BWF World Badminton Federation News: At the 2023 Malaysia Open, Goh Liu Ying chose to bid farewell to her professional career in front of her hometown audience. At 33 years old, she partnered once again with Chan Peng Soon, engaging in a fierce three-game battle that ended in a 21-18, 15-21, 7-21 loss to the young Indonesian pair of Kusharyanto/Kusumawati.
Every return, every attack, and every point they played received enthusiastic cheers from the audience. Despite the inevitable defeat, Goh Liu Ying smiled as she bid farewell to the court, and the fans sent their best wishes to her.
“My final match in Malaysia was truly special. Hearing the audience chant my name made me proud. I’m happy to be here, happy to represent Malaysia one last time,” Goh Liu Ying said emotionally.
“Everything I’ve experienced has been worthwhile. I’ve achieved things I never imagined. Before the match, I wanted to at least win a game to give back to the fans here. We’ve been fortunate; they’ve supported us from our very first match here. I’m deeply moved. It’s a small regret that we never won this tournament,” she added.
Goh Liu Ying and Chan Peng Soon first participated in the Malaysia Open in 2008 and have competed in 12 editions since then, finishing as runners-up in 2013 and 2016.
When asked about their partnership, Chan Peng Soon smiled and said, “It’s been great, just like we’ve never been apart.”
Goh Liu Ying replied, “I miss playing with him. We’ve achieved a lot together, memories I will always cherish.”
Including the mixed doubles gold at the 2010 New Delhi Asian Games, Goh Liu Ying and Chan Peng Soon have won a total of 12 championships.
But they consider the pinnacle of their careers to be winning the silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“That was the peak of our careers,” Goh Liu Ying recalled, currently the only Malaysian female player to have won a badminton medal at the Summer Olympics.
22-year-old Kusharyanto also paid tribute to Goh Liu Ying, saying, “I’m glad to be part of this match. We’ve grown up watching her games. I hope we can be as successful as they were.”
As the final ball dropped, Goh Liu Ying realized, “This is the end of my professional career.”
Best wishes to Goh Liu Ying for a smooth post-retirement life!
