Weary Wee Kiong and V Shem gunning for a first at Japan Open

PETALING JAYA: The show must go on for Olympic silver medallists Tan Wee Kiong-Goh V Shem.

The pair who have been feted since returning from Rio de Janeiro are beginning to feel the strain.

“We’re still a bit tired after attending so many functions and we really haven’t trained that much.

“But we’re hoping to get our groove back soon and hopefully nail our first Superseries title,” added Wee Kiong.

And they are hoping to kick start their return with a good performance at the Japan Open which starts on Tuesday.

The pair, who are now ranked No. 9 in the world, are seeded fifth and will meet Thailand’s Bodin Issara-Nipitphon Puangpuapech in the first round.

They are expected to cruise into the quarter-finals where they should face second seeds Mohd Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia.

Wee Kiong added that it was bittersweet news when South Korea’s world No. 1 pair Lee Yong-dae-Yoo Yeon-seong decided to quit international competitions.The Koreans called time on their international career after failing to win the Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro last month. They were beaten in the quarter-finals by Wee Kiong-Goh V Shem.

“It’s definitely a big loss when the top pair in the world quits,” said Wee Kiong.“It may be good for us but still there are other pairs who are very good and will provide a strong challenge.”

In men’s singles, the Malaysian challenge is led by world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Zulfadli Zulkiffli and Goh Soon Huat.