KUALA LUMPUR – Professional mixed doubles player Shevon Lai Jemie is prioritising the best interests of the team and is prepared for a temporary split with her partner, Goh Soon Huat, if necessary during the 2025 Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China.
Shevon explained that such a situation could offer a new opportunity for her to learn from other players’ styles during the tournament, which will take place at the Xiamen Olympic Sports Centre, Fenghuang Gymnasium, from April 27 to May 4.
“Of course, in any situation, when the team needs us to split, we are ready to do what is best for the team. Actually, it’s a good experience if we can play split partnership. We can learn something from the new partner and refresh ourselves,” she said after a central training session today, Bernama reported.
Despite being one of the senior members of the squad, Shevon expressed her readiness to assist junior players who may seek her guidance. She also remains open to receiving feedback from the younger players during the tournament.
At 31, Shevon shared that she and Soon Huat are currently in their best form ahead of the 2025 Sudirman Cup. Although ranked third in the world and as the top pair in the country, she acknowledged the pressure they still face in Xiamen.
“I think for me and Soon Huat, we’ve been through quite a lot, but recently, we’ve been handling it much much better. I won’t say it’s perfect, but it’s much better compared to previously and we know how to balance that emotion,” she explained.
Shevon is also proud to represent Malaysia for the third time at the Sudirman Cup and hopes to deliver their best performance in Xiamen.
Meanwhile, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has confirmed that men’s singles player Leong Jun Hao and national number one women’s doubles player Pearly Tan will jointly lead the national squad at the 2025 Sudirman Cup.
According to Bernama, BAM’s doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky highlighted that this leadership role would positively impact their growth both on and off the court.
He also mentioned that the presence of professional representatives Soon Huat and Shevon, as well as Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Goh Jin Wei, has been beneficial during the team’s central training.
The Malaysian squad will also feature players such as Justin Hoh (men’s singles), K. Letshanaa (women’s singles), and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles), among others.
Malaysia, drawn in Group C, will open their campaign against France (April 28), followed by Australia (April 29) and third-seed Japan (May 1). Only the top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals.
Malaysia’s best achievement in the Sudirman Cup is reaching the semi-finals three times, namely in 2009, 2021, and 2023. – April 22, 2025