Razeeq stands tall for Selangor as he seeks to defend U-18 title
High flyer: Razeeq Danial Roslie in action during the National Under-18 Badminton Championship in Ipoh. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
IPOH: Shuttler Razeeq Danial Roslie has his height to thank for his rise to become one of the most promising young men's singles players in the country.
Right after he was born, doctors predicted that Razeeq would become tall and upon hearing this, his father Roslie Rustam encouraged him to play badminton.
Fast forward to the present and the 18-year-old Razeeq, standing at 185cm, is using his height to his advantage to develop into one of the top juniors in the country.
The teen captured the National Under-18 Championships last year and finished runner-up in the Under-21 meet in January.
Razeeq, who hails from Selangor, caught the eye of the national selectors and joined the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in February last year.
'My father told me that when I was born, the doctor said there was a strong possibility that I will become tall when I grew up,' said Razeeq.
'So, he encouraged me to play badminton. I'm not very strong yet but my height gives me an advantage as it helps with my attacking game.
'I'm happy with my progress so far in my badminton career but I hope to win an international title next.'
For now, Razeeq is out to defend his Under-18 crown and got off to a good start in the tourney when he brushed past Johor's Hon Jia Heng 15-2, 15-3 in the first round at the Akademi Badminton Perak in Ipoh yesterday.
Razeeq should have no problems overcoming Kuala Lumpur's Kyros Gan next in the second round today.
Although seen as one of the favourites for the title, the former is taking a cautious approach.
'I don't want to put undue pressure on myself as this might affect my game.
'There are many strong players in the tournament this time and I just want to perform my best.'
Razeeq is hoping that a good showing in the tourney will earn him a spot in the Asian Junior Championships from July 18-27 in Solo, Indonesia.
'I was selected for the Asian Junior meet last year but I lost in the first round,' said Razeeq.
'I hope to be picked again and I want to make amends this time.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
12,000 expected at highway marathon in Klang Valley
(Back row, from fifth left) Lee, Wan Salwani and Wang with representatives of sponsors for the IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge 2025. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star THE IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge, touted as Malaysia's only full highway marathon, will return for its seventh edition on Aug 3. The marathon will take place on parts of the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) and Sungai Besi Highway (Besraya). Over 12,000 participants are expected to join the event with four running categories, ranging from 5km to 42km. This year's 'Highway Legend' theme aims to celebrate everyday athletes who train without seeking recognition. Allianz Malaysia chief executive officer Sean Wang, representing the event's co-title sponsor, said the event was gaining more global recognition. 'Our partnership with IJM reflects a shared commitment to health and sustainability, mirroring our global support for the Olympics and Paralympics through 2032. 'The IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge has earned two Malaysia Book of Records titles. It is the first full marathon held on a highway and the longest marathon course on a closed highway. 'The 2025 edition has secured certification from World Athletics, an international governing body for athletics. 'It is also recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races,' said Wang during a press conference on the event at IJM Land Centre of Excellence Gallery in Pantai Sentral Park, Kuala Lumpur. IJM Corp Group chief executive officer Datuk Lee Chun Fai said the recognitions affirm that the marathon meets international standards for distance accuracy and race organisation. 'IJM's objectives go beyond constructing roads. That is why we build platforms to bring people together, to connect and challenge themselves. 'More importantly, the fully closed highway marathon experience remains uniquely ours. This is not just about speed but about community, perseverance and leaving a positive legacy.' The Works Ministry besides the police, and Malaysian Highway Authority will oversee road closures and traffic diversions to ensure public safety. IJM toll division chief executive officer Wan Salwani Wan Yusoff said a lot of behind-the-scenes efforts were required to execute the event. 'We need a lot of people and resources even for a one-day marathon. But we have gained sufficient experience after having this event for several years,' she said. Event organiser EC Pixels Asia managing director Eugene Chan, said new features this year included public recruitment for pacers and entertainment zones with live music to encourage participants along the route. 'We have launched a pacer search and the public can register with us. 'Every station along the run will offer isotonic drinks. 'The highway run can be quite tough, so we have added entertainment stations to help runners enjoy the journey. 'There will be a live DJ station at one of the stations,' said Chan. Registration for the run closes on June 30. For details, visit
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Herry's different approach as coach bearing fruit for men's doubles
That's the way: Herry Iman Pierngadi (second from left) hugging Man Wei Chong after he and Tee Kai Wun (right) beat Japan's Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi in the Malaysian Masters semi-finals last month. PETALING JAYA: A coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life. It is a famous saying by American basketball trainer John Wooden and one that is greatly followed by national doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi. In fact, the 62-year-old Herry displays Wooden's slogan instead of his photo on his WhatsApp's profile. With such a profound belief in his calling as a coach, no wonder Herry has been able to transform the image of the Malaysian men's doubles department in just six months. From a washout at the All-England in March, the men's doubles under the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have now contributed five titles in the first half of the year through former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun. Aaron lifted the Asian championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open titles while Wei Chong-Kai Wun bagged the Malaysian Masters and entered the Indonesian Open final under the guidance of Herry since early February. It was such a turnaround especially after men's doubles wilted at the All-England in March when none made it past the first round. Wei Chong-Kai Wun also won the Indonesian Masters this year and reached the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open but that was before the arrival of Herry. 'The role of coach is more than just coaching,' said Herry, who has a four-year contract with BAM. 'It's about making a difference in the life of the players. I want them to be successful on and off the court. 'It's about trusting each other – the players and coach; also having a good communication, and being like a father to these players,' said Herry. Herry's calm manner and years of experience as Indonesia's long-serving doubles coach for almost three decades is rubbing off on the Malaysians, and the challenge now is to keep the momentum going in the second half of the year. 'It's a joy for a coach to see his players doing well. I'm so happy to see Man-Tee reaching the final of the Indonesian Open. Earlier, Aaron-Wooi Yik stayed solid for three weeks in a row,' said Herry. 'I think, the greater sense of accomplishment is seeing the change in the players' mindset ... they are now playing with more confidence,' he added. With a strong showing so far, naturally all eyes will be at the World Championships in Paris in August. Since Aaron-Wooi Yik ended the country's wait by winning the world title for the first time at the 2022 edition in Japan, Malaysia's men's doubles campaign has been rather quiet and it's time to make some noise again. In leading to the worlds, Herry's boys will firstly be out make their marks at the back-to-back Japan Open from July 15-20 and China Open from July 22-27. Last year, professional shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani captured both the men's doubles title in Japan and China.
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Pearly-Thinaah rely on hard work and heart to turn uncertainty into positive energy
Giving it their all: Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah waving to fans following their women's doubles final match against China's Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning at the Indonesian Open. — AFP PETALING JAYA: Women's doubles shuttler Pearly Tan has responded to critics after her maiden podium finish with M. Thinaah at the Indonesian Open. World No. 4 Pearly-Thinaah had come under scrutiny due to an ongoing unresolved contract with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) but instead of reacting to it, they had allowed the results to do the talking. Pearly finally opened up on the challenges she and Thinaah had gone through via a heartfelt social media post. 'This month, we walked into this journey with the weight of expectations and noise of criticism during our tournaments,' said Pearly. 'Not everything that was said about us was true but we chose not to respond with words. Instead, we responded with hard work, resilience and unity.' The duo's contract with BAM had expired last December but they have not signed new deals and there had been rumours too that they could leave BAM to turn independent. Despite the uncertainty surrounding their futures in BAM and the constant speculation, Pearly-Thinaah had remained focused on court and as they navigated the gruelling four weeks of non-stop tournaments. They reached the final in the Indonesian tourney before narrowly going down 25-23, 12-21, 19-21 to China's world No. 1 Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta on Sunday. The pair also captured the Thailand Open last month and did not let their intensity drop, reaching the last four in the Malaysian Masters and the quarter-finals in the Singapore Open after that before their stunning run in Indonesia. 'It wasn't easy but we stood our ground, held on to each other and gave it everything we had. We didn't win the title but we found something even more powerful - strength, belief and heart. 'Thank you to those who stood by us. We will keep this spirit going and see you guys in the next tour.' Pearly also went on to thank the support team behind her and Thinaah. 'It's been a crazy roller coaster month for both of us, testing our minds, staying calm through the chaos and pushing through even when we were tired,' said Pearly. 'Honestly, we couldn't have done it without our amazing support team behind us who were there for us every step of the way. 'They helped us recover, stay strong and keep going on the court. Truly, we couldn't have come this far without all of you.'
