Dream come true for Guinness World Records holder Pearly

Pearly Tan described becoming a Guinness World Records holder a “dream come true” after the Malaysia women’s doubles shuttler received her official certificate award on Sunday.

Tan wrote herself into the acclaimed records book after she smashed 438 km/h at a gymnasium at Yonex Co.Ltd Tokyo Factory in Soka, Saitama, Japan on April 14 to create a first record of this category.

“I’m happy to receive this award, it is a dream to become a Guinness World Records holder. My record was not only just about focusing on power, but also speed. To achieve this, I’m constantly working on my physical training to improve stamina and build muscle,” she said.

The 23-year-old also confirmed she fully recovered from an elbow injury as she prepares to compete with partner M. Thinaah at the Australian Open which begins this week.

The world number 11 pair are up against China's Zhang Su Xian-Zheng Yu in the opening round, and they will be out to turn in a much improved showing in Sydney after crashing out early in South Korea and Japan.

The Malaysian contingent as a whole will need a big lift in this Super 500 event after disappointing outings in these previous two events, where no shuttlers made it past the quarter-finals.

Among those desperate to make amends is Lee Zii Jia, who faces a qualifier in the men’s singles.

Should he win, the independent shuttler is due a potential second-round clash against Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew.

Ng Tze Yong, meanwhile, is up against Japan’s Kanta Tsuneyama.

Goh Jin Wei is the only representative in the main draw of the women’s singles, while there are five men’s doubles pairs including Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi.

Similarly, there are also five mixed doubles pairs including Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei who won twice on the World Tour this year.