Lighter but tougher
Ee Yi gives up favourite food to shape up for battle
DOUBLES shuttler Teo Ee Yi gave up nasi lemak and sweet drinks in a bid to lose weight before the Thomas Cup Finals.
And he was successful as he lost 10 kilograms and he’s praying that his sacrifices will pay off.
A tougher looking Ee Yi may form a scratch partnership with Aaron Chia when Malaysia clash with Russia in the opening Group D match today.
Malaysia are expected to field Goh V ShemTan Wee Kiong as the first doubles. The top three singles players to play today are Lee ChongWei, Lee Zii Jia and Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin.
Ee Yi is excited to play after playing the reserve role with Ong Yew Sin at the last edition in Kunshan, China, two years ago. They did not get a chance to play in any ties.
“It’s my own initiative to lose weight. No, the National Sports Institute (NSI) did not ask me to do so,” said Ee Yi, who weighs 73kg now.
“I followed a diet programme from You– tube. It took me three months to lose 10 kilos. I feel good now.
“I had to give up my favourite food – nasi lemak. I also had to remove the skin from the McDonald’s chicken and give up sweet drinks, it was tough.”
“I’m focused on building my strength and I went to the gymnasium very often. Now, I’m ready for the Finals.
Malaysia’s second doubles are seen as the weak link but Ee Yi will be out to defy the odds.
“I don’t have my regular partner (Yew Sin) here. I’ll form a scratch partnership but I’m ready to play with anyone.
“I’ve been training quite frequently with Aaron,” said Ee Yi, who may also be fielded with Mohd Arif Abdul Arif, depending on the coaches’ plan.
Russia’s top two doubles pairs are world No. 10 Ivan Sozonov-Vladimir Ivanov and world No. 45 Konstantin Anramov-Alexandr Zinchenko.