
Umar believes a little progress every day adds up to something big
PETALING JAYA: Umar Osman isn't just running races – he's running a mission of one percent progress every single day.
As the countdown begins for the Asian Track and Field Championships in Gumi, South Korea, which starts tomorrow, the 21-year-old national 400m record holder is locked in and ready for the challenge - not just against anyone else, but also against himself.

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The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
Rexy, Herry thank RTG for appreciating coaches' role with pay rise
PETALING JAYA: Thank you, Road to Gold (RTG). National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky and men's doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi expressed their gratitude to the elite athletes programme committee after they were rewarded with salary increases following the good performances of several doubles shuttlers. Mixed doubles and women's doubles coaches Nova Widianto and Rosman Razak were also given a pay rise. "I'm really happy to see the coaches get appreciated for their achievements and hard work. Thanks to RTG," said Rexy, who was redesignated from the national coaching director to managing the doubles in March. Herry, who was only appointed by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in February echoed Rexy's sentiments. "Of course I feel happy and I want to thank RTG for rewarding the coaches," said Herry. Herry has made a stunning impact in a short time since taking over from Tan Bin Shen, guiding world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to the Asian Championships gold in April, Thailand Open and Singapore Open titles last month. The experienced Indonesian also helped world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun win the Malaysian Masters last month. Wei Chong-Kai Wun beat Aaron-Wooi Yik in an all-Malaysian final in the home tourney. Meanwhile, under Rosman, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah won the Thailand Open, finished runners-up in the Indonesian Open and reached a career-high No. 3 in the world recently. Nova has also done well to produce two mixed pairs - Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (No. 4) and Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin (No. 13) - in the world's top 20 since joining BAM at the end of 2022.


Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Zii Jia turns down Road to Gold offer again
Men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia was among 16 athletes shortlisted for the Road To Gold programme in April. (EPA Images pic) PETALING JAYA : Professional men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia has once again declined an offer to join the Road To Gold (RTG) programme aimed at preparing athletes for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh confirmed Zii Jia's decision at a press conference today, Bernama reported. 'Zii Jia is not joining the programme for his own reasons. So we respect his decision,' she said, adding that the door remained open should he change his mind. Zii Jia, currently ranked World No 15, was one of 16 athletes shortlisted for the RTG programme in April. This marks the second time he has turned down the invitation, following a similar move last year ahead of the Paris Olympics, where he eventually won a bronze medal. In a statement issued today, Team LZJ thanked the RTG committee, particularly Yeoh, for the opportunity. 'RTG is a programme reserved for the best of the best in the country, and since Zii Jia is still recovering from his injury, we feel that the appropriate assistance from the programme should be given to his fellow peers who are more deserving at this moment,' it said.

The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Zii Jia turns down RTG offer, citing recovery from injury
PETALING JAYA: Men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia has decided not to accept the offer to be included in the Road to Gold (RTG) programme. Zii Jia decided not to be part of RTG leading up to the 2024 Paris Olympics and has stuck to his initial stance ahead of the next edition in 2028 in Los Angeles. ALSO READ: Zii Jia keeps 'em waiting over decision to join RTG or not The 27-year-old independent player, who won bronze in the Paris Games, said this in a statement on social media through Team LZJ on Tuesday (June 10). "After much consideration, we have decided not to take up the offer to be included in the Road to Gold programme," it read. "RTG is a programme reserved for the best of the best in the country and since Zii Jia is still recovering from his injury, we feel that the appropriate assistance from the programme should be given to his peers who are more deserving at this moment in time. ALSO READ: Time to restore order in singles with Zii Jia's return "Although Zii Jia will not be a part of the RTG programme, we deeply value the opportunity... and we would like to express our sincerest appreciation and gratitude to the RTG committee especially to outh and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh as well as RTG coordinator Datuk Stuart Ramalingam for taking the time to meet Zii Jia personally." Zii Jia is recovering from a right ankle ligament injury sustained during the World Tour Finals in December and is targeting a comeback in the Japan Open from July 15-20 in Tokyo.