Fired up in danger zone
Jin Wei more motivated as C’wealth Games spot under review
PETALING JAYA: Knowing she’s no longer in the safe zone has only fired up Goh Jin Wei.
The 18-year-old’s recent below-par performances have left her spot in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April under review.
The world No. 30 is, however, not moping around. Instead she is eager to do her bit in proving that she deserves her spot in the team.
“I’m aware that my spot is no longer safe. To me, I feel that’s a good thing actually because it means that my teammates have raised their level,” said Jin Wei.
“As a team, I hope to see the women’s singles department raise their level together and it’s good that the gap is actually much closer now.
“It certainly gives me more motivation to train a lot harder and raise my own game.
“I do hope that I eventually get selected in the final list for the Commonwealth Games.
“But it’s important that whoever goes is the one in the best condition. Whoever is chosen certainly needs to do their best to deliver a medal for the country.
“Right now I just try not to think too much about that. It’s better if I focus on training harder in order to deliver results.”
The Penangite certainly doesn’t have much time to impress head coach Datuk Tey Seu Bock.
The closing date for the Commonwealth Games is March 7 and there are seven others – Soniia Cheah, S. Kisona, Lim Yin Fun, Lee Ying Ying, Ho Yen Mei, M. Thinaah and Lee Zii Yii – in the national team vying for the one spot.
For now, Jin Wei gets to enjoy a short Chinese New Year break before turning her focus to the German Open from March 6-11.
Jin Wei, however, faces a tall order as she is up against world No. 13 and seventh seed Sayaka Sato of Japan in the first round.
World No. 27 Soniia is the other Malaysian in the fray. She’s up against world No. 8 and fourth seed Chen Yufei of China in the first round.