KUALA LUMPUR: Independent shuttler Lim Chiew Sien continues to play badminton because of her love for the game.
On Saturday, the 30-year-old was rewarded for her perseverance when she won her maiden mixed doubles title with Wong Tien Chi at the Kazakhstan International Challenge in Uralks.
The Malaysians, who have been playing on and off together for the past few years, defeated India's Sanjai Srivatsa Dhanraj-K. Maneesha 9-21, 21-7, 21-12.
While the title isn't a big one to show for, Chiew Sien is inspired to keep on playing for as long as her body permits.
The former BA of Malaysia (BAM) shuttler has packed up and left for Ningbo, China, where she will reunite with her regular women's doubles partner, Vivian Hoo, for the Asian Championships this week.
Chiew Sien plans to continue playing women's doubles with Vivian until the end of the season. And once Vivian hangs up her racquet, she will commit fully to playing mixed doubles with Tien Ci.
"The reason I continue playing is because of the love of this sport. To be honest, I never knew I would play this long.
"I used to tell myself, I would retire once I'm out of the national team, but when the time came, something was lacking, I didn't feel that satisfaction.
"On top of that, my body condition is still fine. My biggest weakness has always been my confidence and nerves.
"I decided to become an independent player and started to look for sponsorships to continue. Obviously, I'm a very lucky girl because I have a lot of good souls helping me in my journey. I want to show them my appreciation," said Chiew Sien, who turned pro in 2020 just before the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Another former national shuttler, Soong Joo Ven, also reached the Kazakhstan IC final but lost 21-10, 21-19 to India's Tharun Mannepalli.
Meanwhile, for the Asian meet this week, Vivian-Chiew Sien will take on South Korea's Jeong Na Eun-Kim Hye Jeong in the first round.
Should they clear the first round, Vivian-Chiew Sien will likely face seventh seeds Zhang Shu Xian-Zheng Yu of China in the second.
"The Asian Championships are a completely different tournament, but playing on the back of winning a title is definitely a confidence boost.
"I know it won't be easy, but I want to try and give my best for this partnership with Vivian. I don't want to leave with any regrets.
"I'm really lucky to be her partner because if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have gotten the chance to play in higher-tier tournaments, including the All England and World Championships. I'm really grateful to Vivian.
"I also want to thank Tan Wee Kiong, Chan Peng Soon, and Goh Liu Ying for guiding me and teaching me so much," added Chiew Sien.
Former French Open champions Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are the other pair in the women's doubles event at the Asian Championships.
The national No. 1 pair, who have already secured their place in the Paris Olympics, will play Japan's Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara in the opening round.
The Asian meet is the final tournament on the one-year Olympic qualifying roster, which started in May last year.
