Malaysia’s Koo Kien Keat, who forms one half of a deadly partnership with Tan Boon Heong, said he is ready to defend his PROTON Malaysia Open title which starts at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, on Wednesday. The PROTON Malaysia Open is the season opening tournament of the 2011 OSIM BWF World Superseries.
Kien Keat injured his elbow while playing in the VICTOR BWF Super Series Finals 2010 in Chinese Taipei last week and there was speculation he may have to pull out of his home event which he and Boon Heong have won twice.
However, the 2006 Asian Games gold medallist said that while he is still undergoing therapy for his injured elbow, there is nothing to stop him from defending his title.
“There is still a week to go before the start of the tournament and I will be fine by then,” said Kien Keat , who on Thursday, received the Olympic Council of Malaysia-100PLUS Outdo Yourself Award for winning three badminton gold medals – team, men’s doubles and mixed doubles – at last year’s Commonwealth Games.
Kien Keat helped Malaysia win the team event by beating hosts India. He then partnered Chin Eei Hui in the mixed doubles and the Malaysian pair defeated England’s Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork 22-20, 21-12 in the final.
Later, Kien Keat would once again deny Robertson the chance of a gold medal when he and Boon Heong defeated Robertson-Anthony Clark 21-19, 21-14 to take home the men’s doubles crown.
“This award is a good start to the new year and is the perfect motivation for the Malaysia Open,” said Kien Keat.
Asked about the opening round clash with China’s Hong Wei-Shen Ye, the former All-England winner said he is confident of a good start.
The Malaysians are the top seeds in the absence of world No. 1s Carsten Mogensen-Mathias Boe, who captured their first ever VICTOR BWF Super Series Finals title last weekend.
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