Hon Jian ready to get down to business with new partner Sze Fei

Ahead of their debut next month, Choong Hon Jian vowed to do whatever it takes to ensure his new partnership with Goh Sze Fei will be a successful one.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) recently decided to partner Choong, who played most of his career in mixed doubles, with Goh after the latter’s split with long-term partner Nur Izzuddin after a series of early exits in the past year.

“I am a backcourt player, who usually does most of the attacking or sets up the attack. It’s been awhile since I last played in the men’s doubles, but I am excited to play again. I hope we can achieve stability together and form a good combination,” he told Stadium Astro.

The scratch pair will begin their journey at the Thailand International Challenge (March 7-12), China Masters (March 14-19), Vietnam International Challenge (March 21-26) and the Osaka International Challenge (March 29-April 2).

Choong had built a name for himself in the mixed doubles, where he won three titles with Toh Ee Wei in 2021 at the Polish Open, the Australian Open and the Slovenian International.

The 22-year-old, who is still playing mixed doubles badminton albeit with Go Pei Kee, also said he would be ready to play in both categories at the same time if required.

The Bukit Mertajam-born also wished to feature at the upcoming SEA Games in Cambodia this May.

“I have never played in the SEA Games before. But I am ready to play if I am chosen,” he said.

Besides Choong-Goh, the other new men's doubles partnerships are Izzuddin-Haikal Nazri and Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King.