END GAME FOR PENG SOON-LIU YING
Duo announce their retirement after 13 years
AFTER 13 years of ups and downs, mixed doubles Chan Peng SoonGoh Liu Ying finally called time on their careers. Following several cryptic postings on social media, Peng Soon announced yesterday that the semi-final match at the recent BWF World Tour Finals in Bali was his last with Liu Ying.
Earlier, Liu Ying had shared on her social media platforms that they would not be competing in the World Championships in Huelva, Spain next week and have decided to go on break for the rest of the year.
When contacted by Timesport, Liu Ying declined to comment further on their future but hinted that an announcement will be made soon.
“Last week's World Tour Finals was my last match with Liu Ying.
“Seriously, it was not easy to make this decision. After all, we’ve been playing together for so many years.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout our 13 years together,” Peng Soon posted on his social media.
Earlier, Liu Ying had indicated that the decision was a long time coming and that age had caught up with the duo.
Last week, the 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medallists
capped their year by reaching the semi-finals of the BWF World Tour before succumbing to a 21-8, 21-18 defeat to eventual champions Dechapol PuavaranukrohSapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand.
The world No 8 had earlier competed in the Indonesia Masters and Indonesia Open, which were part of the three-tournament Indonesian leg of the World
Tour in Bali.
“We’re tired, and our bodies can’t take it anymore.
“In fact, Peng Soon and I were already carrying minor injuries. We decided to hang on just to try and compete in the World Tour Finals.
“However, we decided that there is no point in forcing ourselves to go to Spain, if we cannot meet our targets.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors who have stood by us, especially Li Ning.”
Among Peng Soon-Liu Ying’s biggest career highlights were winning the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medal, emerging runnersup at the 2017 All England, winning the 2010 Commonwealth Games, 2010 Asian Championships and the 2012 Japan Open.