After two years as the sparring partner for world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, national back-up shuttler Chan Kwong Beng feels that it’s time to step out of the shadows.

The 22-year-old hopes to kick start his bid to win a place in the squad for the Thomas Cup Finals in May with strong performances in the National Grand Prix Finals, which begin tomorrow in Johor Baru.

Kwong Beng has set the target to qualify for the semi-finals for the second successive time in the Finals. And he has to win in Group C against Daren Liew, Syawal Ismail and Shahrizal Latip to realise a semi-final showdown against Chong Wei.

It should be a cruise for Chong Wei, who won the back-to-back Super Series tournaments in South Korea and Malaysia last month, to lift the national title for an eighth time.

He plays in Group A against Mohd Arif Abdul Latif, Ho Khek Mong and Syed Akbar Shah Syed Mustakim.

Group B sees Tan Chun Seang along with back-up players Lim Fang Yang, Iskandar Zulkarnain and Soo Kar Seong. And Chun Siang is tipped to play against Kuan Beng Hong in the semi-finals. Beng Hong has Group D matches against veteran Roslin Hashim, Kuan Kam Chung and Goh Soon Huat.

In the 2008 Finals played in Alor Setar last year, Kwong Beng defeated Mohd Hafiz Hashim en route to reaching the semi-finals before losing to Chong Wei Feng.

“Hafiz was not in the best of form as he was not training regularly,” said Kwong Beng.

“It will be more difficult this time as the other back-up players are also hoping to get into the Thomas Cup squad. Daren is also seeking selection but his recent performances has not been that good ... he will surely be out to play better.”

Kwong Beng felt that the regular training sessions with Chong Wei have made him a better player and he is getting the push from coach Misbun Sidek as well.

“Misbun felt that I am capable of becoming a better player than what I was showing and he was serious in not wanting to send me for tournaments if I did not pull my weight in training,” he said.

Kwong Beng started to get the breaks late last year and gradually improved on his world ranking to No. 57 with his best result being a semi-final appearance in the India Open.

Kwong Beng also had the satisfaction of beating Zulfadli Zulkifli and Beng Hong to reach the main draw of the Malaysian Open last month.

His performance in the Malaysian Open later earned him the opportunity to feature in the German Open next month.

“I hope to start producing good results and push my rankings to the top 30 this year as it will give me the chance to play in the Super Series tournaments,” he said.

Courtesy of The Star