Sze Fei commits to pro career with Izzuddin under coach Kok Siang
PETALING JAYA: Former world No. 1 men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have swiftly dismissed speculation that they intend to return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who will begin their campaign in Changzhou this week as the reigning China Open champions, stressed that they remain fully committed to their status as professional players.
The rumours had suggested that the duo were planning a return to the national team to train under experienced Indonesian coach Herry Iman Pierngadi. However, Sze Fei hit back, stating that they are still loyal to their current coach, Teo Kok Siang.
"We wish to clarify that we are happy with our status as a professional pair and reaching the Japan Open final has further strengthened our confidence and drive to continue improve under the guidance of our coach, Teo Kok Siang.
"Our relationship with BAM remains great, and we always appreciate BAM for the support shown to us throughout our stint with them.
"Hope this can stop the untrue rumours out there," said Sze Fei, who posted the statement on his social media.
Rejoining the national team won't be a simple move for Sze Fei-Izzuddin, given their existing sponsorship deal with Victor.
Nevertheless, BAM remain open to allowing them to train alongside other players at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM), although it is understood that no official request has been made by the pair so far.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin officially left BAM in September last year, when they were ranked world No. 12.
Since turning professional, the duo have impressed with their performances, making history by winning the China Open last year.
They went on to add the Arctic Open title to their collection before finishing as runners-up at the BWF World Tour Finals in December.
Just last week in Tokyo, Sze Fei-Izzuddin finished as runners-up at the Japan Open, and they will be looking to build on that momentum when they open their China Open campaign today against South Korea's Kang Min-hyuk-Ki Dong-ju in the first round.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Badminton - Shi, Wang triumph in all-Chinese China Open finals as host dominates home tournament with four titles
China's Shi Yuqi celebrates after defeating compatriot Wang Zhengxing in the men's singles final at the China Open badminton tournament in Changzhou, in China's eastern Jiangsu province on July 27, 2025. -- Photo by AFP BEIJING (Reuters): Shi Yuqi and Wang Zhiyi lifted the men's and women's titles at the China Open on Sunday (July 27), prevailing in the all-Chinese finals to cap a golden week in Changzhou. It was another strong showing for world number three Shi following his Japan Open title last week. The 29-year-old came back from a game down to beat Wang Zhengxing 14-21 21-14 21-15 in little more than an hour. Wang had a narrow 7-5 lead early in the second game, but Shi took over from there, dominating the rallies and never trailing again. It was Shi's third Super 1000 title of the year after winning the Malaysia Open and the All England Open. In the women's final, defending champion Wang Zhiyi secured a dominant 21-8 21-13 win over Han Yue, who had advanced after South Korea's reigning Olympic champion An Se-young retired injured in the semi-finals. The 24-year-old world number two ended a frustrating run of three straight Super 1000 final defeats this year, all to world number one An. It was Wang's second title of the year, adding to her Malaysia Masters win, where she also beat Han in the final. Wang surged to a 13-4 lead in the opener and though Han tried to claw back in the second game, narrowing the gap to 17-13, Wang's sharp movement and relentless aggression helped her close out the match in just over half an hour. China's supremacy on home soil could not be questioned as foreign players fell at the semi-final stage in all formats except for the men's doubles, which was won by Indonesians Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri. The pair beat Malaysian second seeded duo Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi-Yik 21-15 21-14 and performed the viral "aura farming" Indonesian boat race dance in front of the Chinese crowd, much to their delight. It was the first time in a decade that an unseeded men's pair has won the China Open. In women's doubles, top seeds Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning overcame Zhang Shuxian and Jia Yifan 24-22 17-21 21-14. Top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping defeated second-seeded Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin 23-21 21-17 to clinch the mixed doubles title. (Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru Editing by Christian Radnedge) - Reuters
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Aaron-Wooi Yik eye Paris redemption
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik want to win something bigger to make up for the China Open heartbreak today. What could be bigger than the China Open which is already a Super 1000 tournament? There is one, and Aaron-Wooi Yik did not hide their intentions. Win the Paris World Championships next month. World No 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik believe they can do it again, having won the world crown in 2022. Till today, they are the only Malaysian shuttlers to have won a world title. Aaron-Wooi Yik failed again to win their first Super 1000 title — in six attempts — after a 21-15, 21-14 loss to Indonesia's new pair Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri in Changzhou today. "We want to focus on our preparation for the World Championships. The gold in Paris is the ultimate goal for any pair," said Aaron. "We'll head home, recover, and get back on court to prepare well for the event." Perhaps, it should come as a relief to Aaron-Wooi Yik that Fajar-Shohibul will not compete as a pair in Paris despite their blistering performance in the China Open. Fajar will resume his partnership with his regular partner, Rian Ardianto. Wooi Yik acknowledged that while there will be high expectations for a podium finish in Paris, he believes they can deliver under top notch coach Herry IP.
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Herry's magic couldn't break jinx
KUALA LUMPUR: Though the "Magician" Herry IP was at courtside, he couldn't end men's doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik's Super 1000 jinx. In the end, it was the Indonesian coach's former disciples, Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri, who made off with the China Open title in Changzhou today. World No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik were a pale shadow of themselves as their China Open dream shattered into a 1,000 pieces. World No. 210 Fajar-Shohibul, a scratch pair, smashed their way to a one-sided 21-15, 21-14 win in just 35 minutes. Though Herry had led Aaron-Wooi Yik to three titles this year, he couldn't do much today, as his former players, Fajar and Shohibul — who were partnering each other for only the second time — outplay Aaron-Wooi Yik with their dynamic teamwork. Fajar-Shohibul took home US$148,000 (RM624,757) while Aaron-Wooi Yik had to settle for US$70,000. Aaron-Wooi Yik have now lost all six Super 1000 finals they contested since 2019. Fajar-Shohibul celebrated wildly, as the win marked Indonesia's first World Tour men's doubles title of the year. "We couldn't handle their speed and their quality shots. A scratch pair is always tricky and we need a bit more time to analyse their game," said Aaron. Wooi Yik said: "We did struggle against them and we were surprised with their array of shots. "We tried to come back into the match, but today they played very well. They controlled the front court effectively."
