Badminton is a funny game.

A relentless and unforgiving world tour. The pressure valve extreme. Finding the exact science to unlocking that freedom, a nuance that escapes most.

Yet, all of a sudden, one single life event, a change of mindset, or a new hope, can put you back on track. This can be almost as unexpected as the events that took you off course in the first place.

Just ask Goh Soon Huat and Lai Shevon Jemie. Two Olympic cycles where dreams were not fulfilled – bitter disappointment, doubts and a slide in rankings.

Many would have given up, without the belief nor fortitude to search for answers. But somehow, some way, with the help of each other, and as Lai says, perhaps some divine intervention, the Malaysian mixed doubles pair have forged a path of resurgence not many saw coming.

Since accepting their Paris 2024 Olympics fate, the recently wedded couple has won the YONEX Swiss Open 2024 and the PERODUA Malaysia Masters 2024, and today, with one of the most important wins of their careers at the VICTOR China Open 2024, progressed through to their first Super 1000 final on the HSBC BWF World Tour.

It was clearly emotional, and highly satisfying, for their words spoke truer than most.

“I am Christian, and there is one phrase that I always keep in mind. When one door closes another door opens. And I think we’re seeing that, we have never given up and that has kept us going until today,” said Lai.

“Yes, we are playing free. There is less pressure. We are enjoying it more than ever,” added Goh.

Their new-found lease on tour life has seen them move into the top three of the HSBC Race to Finals rankings, and with today’s result, are now well poised for further riches this season. They were also quick to assure media that they had no intention of stopping anytime soon.

“It’s surreal. It’s a feeling I’ve never experienced before. Now three finals in a year. It’s an unbelievable achievement for us. And I want to thank my partner for helping us keep it together today,” said Lai.

“It’s been one of my dreams to be in a Super 1000 final. I’m almost in tears. We’ve been playing together for six, seven years now, and I’ve always told him [Goh] I’ve wanted this, to make a big final one day.

“Every match we play is one less match in the future, so we just want to appreciate every chance we get on court now, so long as we come out safely without injuries or illness.

“But I think you guys will be seeing us for quite some time still.”

For Goh, it’s quite simple. “It’s all down to mindset.”

“We played well in the pressure points today. We were more comfortable, brave and stable,” he said of the 21-18 21-18 result.

“This is very important for us. Because when we lose our mindset we lose our focus. So that’s been the main key. A stable mindset.”

They will face world No.3 pair Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping in Sunday’s final.

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