Don't get comfortable, Rexy warns high-flying doubles pairs
KUALA LUMPUR: Coaching director Rexy Mainaky has warned the country's top doubles shuttlers not to rest on their laurels despite a string of promising results.
Rexy, a former Olympic champion, stressed that the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Games is still long and full of hurdles and urged his players to remain hungry, disciplined and focused.
"I'm pleased with their performances so far, but we cannot afford to get comfortable," said Rexy.
"There are still many tournaments ahead, and Olympic qualification is far from settled. If we allow ourselves to be easily content, that will be our downfall.
"But if we stay driven and work hard, I believe — with the right support — we truly have a shot at our first Olympic gold in 2028."
Malaysia currently boast four men's doubles pairs ranked inside the world's top 25, a healthy sign for their hopes of sending two pairs to LA28.
Under Badminton World Federation (BWF) rules, each nation may field a maximum of two pairs per doubles event at the Olympics, provided both are inside the top eight at the end of the qualification period.
At present, professional duo Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani top the world rankings, followed by Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik at No. 2. Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun sit seventh, while Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi are 24th.
Rexy believes the depth in the men's doubles ranks bodes well for the national team's long-term Olympic ambitions.
"Right now, we have two pairs in the top two. Behind them, Wei Chong-Kai Wun and Roy King-Arif are closing in," he said.
"This is very encouraging. It boosts our players' confidence and adds pressure on our rivals.
"Our target is to have all four pairs inside the top four when the 2028 Games come around. That will create healthy internal competition for the two Olympic slots."
It's been a stellar season so far for the Malaysian men's doubles.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin clinched the India Open in January en route to becoming world No. 1.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, meanwhile, lifted three titles — the Badminton Asia Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun have also impressed, picking up the Indonesia Masters and Malaysia Masters crowns, while Roy King-Arif continue to improve since forming their partnership last year.
Two pairs — Aaron-Wooi Yik and Wei Chong-Kai Wun — are currently part of the Road to Gold (RTG) programme, an elite initiative designed to help Malaysia finally capture its first Olympic gold in 2028.
Also in the RTG setup are women's world No. 3 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and mixed doubles world No. 4 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.
Professional pairs, Sze Fei-Izzuddin and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai may also be included, subject to agreement on terms.
"The RTG began earlier than similar initiatives in other countries, so we've got a head start," added Rexy.
"But ultimately, it all comes down to the players' commitment. If they stay disciplined and don't get easily satisfied, I truly believe we can finally bring home that elusive gold."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Olympic champ Ingebrigtsen's father acquitted of abusing son
OSLO: A Norway court on Monday acquitted Gjert Ingebrigtsen of abusing his son, Olympic champion runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen, but convicted him and handed him a 15-day suspended sentence for assaulting his daughter on one occasion. Gjert Ingebrigtsen, 59, acted as trainer until 2022 to Jakob, 24, who won Olympic golds in the 5,000m in Paris in 2024 and the 1,500m in Tokyo in 2021. He was accused of physical and psychological violence against Jakob and his sister Ingrid, 19, between 2008 and 2022, but denied the charges. At the conclusion of the lengthy trial that lasted from March 24 to May 15 at the Sandnes court, he was acquitted of the abuse alleged by Jakob. The court however found him guilty of one violent incident involving his daughter Ingrid. In her testimony, Ingrid told the court her father hit her in the face with a wet towel in January 2022 – a picture taken that day showed her with a red cheek. He said he was aiming for her finger, which she was pointing at him during a row. In addition to a 15-day suspended prison sentence, Ingebrigtsen Sr was ordered to pay Ingrid 10,000 kroner ($1,000) in damages. Prosecutors had called for him to be jailed for two and a half years, "They didn't say they were disappointed. They said they were surprised," Mette Yvonne Larsen, Jakob's and Ingrid's lawyer, told reporters when describing her clients' reactions to the verdict. Meanwhile, the accused's lawyers noted that "what was decisive for the court's conclusion was the lack of evidence proving that Gjert Ingebrigtsen had instilled constant fear in his children." "The court specifically highlighted that several close family members as well as external witnesses had neither observed nor witnessed mistreatment," they said in a statement. The parties have 14 days to appeal the verdict. Throughout the trial, Jakob referred to his father as "the accused" and told the court he stopped calling him "dad" at the age of 11 or 12. "My upbringing was very much characterised by fear," he told the court. "I felt like I had no free choice and I wasn't allowed to speak my mind. Everything was controlled and decided for me. An enormous amount of manipulation," he said. He recounted several episodes of physical violence, including slaps and kicks to the stomach, some of which occurred when he was seven years old. Ingebrigtsen Sr has called the trial a "textbook case of character assassination." He told the court he had been an "overly protective" father who had given his seven children a "traditional and patriarchal" upbringing. He was keen to contribute to their success but received only ingratitude in return, he said. Jakob and two of his brothers, Henrik and Filip, who are also athletes, shocked Norway in October 2023 when they used a newspaper article to accuse their father of using physical violence during their upbringing. The police investigated claims about all seven Ingebrigtsen siblings but retained only those relating to Jakob and Ingrid. Jakob – who claimed the 1,500m and 3,000m world indoor titles right before the opening of the trial in March – along with Henrik and Filip cut ties with their father in 2022. On the final day of the trial, Jakob told the court the proceedings had "profound and heartbreaking consequences" for the siblings regardless of the verdict.
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Norza chairs BWF's finance, audit and risk committee
PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Mohd Norza Zakaria is set to draw on his expertise to help strengthen governance within the Badminton World Federation (BWF), with a focus on improving its corporate governance and financial performance. Norza, who was elected as a BWF council member in May, has since been appointed as the chair of the federation's finance, audit and risk committee. His seven-year stint as Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president has equipped him with the necessary experience to contribute effectively to BWF's administration. 'When you talk about governance, it is based on my experience in BAM. It is about strengthening governance, bringing in more commercialisation, and all those aspects. I am a CPA (certified public accountant), a chartered accountant, so that is another area where I can contribute by providing input to strengthen BWF's finance and administration,' said Norza. He also believes the time is right for Asia, which is home to the majority of the sport's powerhouse nations, to have a stronger voice at the global level. BWF are currently led by Thai president Patama Leeswadtrakul. Out of the 20 council members in the new term, eight are from Asia, including Norza. Norza sees this as a timely opportunity for Asian expertise to be shared with countries that are still developing in the sport. "I think it is a good time for Asia to put forward a stronger voice. The president is also from Asia, and we have strong representation in the council. BWF currently has 202 member associations across five continents, Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and Pan America.
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Speedy Karim - new MA president, acts fast by starting B10 project to produce sprinters
Malaysia's (from left) Khairul Hafiz Jantan, Mohd Arsyad Md Saat, Jonathan Nyepa and Mohd Azeem Fahmi after the 4x100m men's relays final during the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. PETALING JAYA: A specialised sprint programme, dubbed B10 (below 10), will be one of the projects that will start under the newly elected Malaysian Athletics (MA) president Datuk Karim Ibrahim. The project will be aimed at producing two sprinters capable of clocking sub-10 seconds in the 100m. "If we can get two such athletes, we can push the 4x100m relay team towards the Olympic Games final," said Karim. "We haven't done that since Dr. Mani Jegathesan reached the semi-finals in the 1968 Mexico Olympics. It's time we changed that narrative." But Karim, who was elected for the post that he had helmed before from 2015 to 2019 on Sunday, was quick to note that goals must be backed by the right processes. Reflecting on Malaysia's solitary bronze medal at the recent Asian Track and Field Championships, Karim stressed the need to overhaul the current approach to athlete preparation. "We must study the data from Southeast Asia and plan long-term. Other countries in the region are progressing, we must catch up,' he said. "For the Thailand SEA Games in December, we will give our target 45 days before the Games." Karim also addressed the lingering discontent stemming from the heated campaign that preceded the elections. He acknowledged the concerns raised by athletes and assured that proper channels would be created to ensure their voices are heard and acted upon. "I prioritise the athletes. Their well-being, safety, and trust must come first. When they feel secure, they will perform. We need every stakeholder on the same page to make this happen." Karim also addressed the lingering discontent stemming from the heated campaign that preceded the elections. "I prioritise the athletes. Their well-being, safety, and trust must come first. When they feel secure, they will perform." Backing Karim is his deputy, Datuk Wan Hashim Wan Abdullah, who promised swift action to mend broken relationships and address long-standing issues without delay. "Yes, we have problems. But we won't wait four years to solve them. We'll do the firefighting now and move forward. "If we can solve things amicably, including the issue with the Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Athletics Association (FTKLAA), I believe all parties will come to the table." FTKLAA did not participate in Sunday's MA elections after the High Court dismissed their injunction to halt the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The legal action stemmed from a recent constitutional amendment by MA, which mandates FTKLAA to merge with the Federal Territories of Putrajaya and Labuan. However, the consolidation process could not be finalised in time for the AGM, leading to FTKLAA's exclusion from the voting process. Wan Hashim also reaffirmed that distractions and petty issues will not derail their focus. "I will assist the president in fulfilling our agenda. The athletes must come first. That's non-negotiable." In a dignified transition, former MA president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim offered his full support to Karim and urged all affiliates to come together once more. "There are always winners and losers in any election. But what matters now is the athletes. That must be our priority. I'll continue helping through my role with Perlis Athletics and will support Karim in his leadership."
