Gavin finds his rhythm for strong finish in Italy Open
Gavin notched his second best performance of the season after finishing joint 21st position in the Italy Open.
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The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
What price glory?
Firdaus came to prominence when he won a bronze medal at the World Junior Track Cycling Championships. IN a small corner of the Youth and Sports Ministry, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee from the Bike And Bean cafe greets visitors, yet behind the pleasant scent lies the story of former cycling hero Mohd Firdaus Mohd Zonis, once hailed as a great hope in Malaysia's track cycling arena. His name began to make waves among local sports fans in 2014 when he delivered a bronze medal at the World Junior Track Cycling Championships, an achievement that established him as one of the nation's most promising prospects. That triumph at a young age made him the first Malaysian since Adiq Husainie (2008) to step onto the podium in the men's 1km time trial, earning him a place among the successors to Datuk Azizulhasni Awang. The achievement was further cemented by the national junior record in the 200m sprint, which still stands to this day, a silent testament to his prowess on the track. However, behind the cheers and podium finishes lay a story seldom told – the physical exhaustion, mental pressure, and injuries that gradually eroded his fighting spirit. Firdaus with his gold medal after winning the junior keirin event while Azizulhasni Awang took silver in the elite category at the 2014 Asian Cycling Championships in Kazakhstan. 'Moving up to the senior level, the training got heavier. I felt I wasn't good enough even though I gave my best. Small recurring injuries eventually became a big burden,' said Firdaus, recalling the period when his passion began to fade. Everything came to a head when he was diagnosed with L4 and L5 slip disc injuries, forcing him to make the painful decision to end a career he had dreamed of since childhood far earlier than expected. Although he once sank into disappointment, Firdaus found his own way to rise again after hanging up his bike – by shifting his path to bicycle repairs. For Firdaus, success does not necessarily come in the form of medals hanging around the neck, but in the ability to get back up, find life's meaning after sport, and most importantly, heal oneself. 'I hope there will be more awareness about burnout among young athletes, so they know they are not alone and that there is support if they need it,' he said. Firdaus' experience is not an isolated case, as former national junior tennis player Wan Abdul Muiz Wan Aziz went through a similar phase. Mohd Firdaus Mohd Zonis said physical exhaustion, mental pressure and injuries gradually eroded his fighting spirit. — Cycle Eighty Eight Sdn Bhd Facebook Once ranked sixth in Malaysia at the age of 16, Wan Abdul Muiz admitted that early success came with extraordinary pressure. The Kelantan-born athlete, who started playing tennis at the age of 10, was once considered one of the country's brightest talents, but the glitter came at a heavy price. 'People think kids just enjoy playing. But the pressure from coaches, parents, or even oneself is very heavy. 'At one point I felt lazy to train and started to question what all this meant,' he said. Training for eight to 10 hours a day while juggling academic responsibilities and high expectations caused Muiz to lose interest in the sport he once loved. What made it worse was that requests for help were often met with stigma. Wan Abdul Muiz Wan Abdul Aziz was once ranked sixth in Malaysia at the age of 16. 'Our culture sometimes assumes that if you can't take it, you're weak. Mental health support for young athletes is very limited. Many don't understand the emotional burden we carry,' he said. The stories of Firdaus and Muiz are a reminder that behind the roaring cheers lies the silent side of sports – a challenge that demands more than just physical strength, but also resilience of the heart and mental well-being. — Bernama
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Bittersweet farewell for Jan Jireh after surprise final run
PETALING JAYA: Independent men's singles shuttler Lee Jan Jireh (pic) is taking the tough decision to retire from the sport due to lack of funding. Jan Jireh proved his potential when he unexpectedly finished runner-up to fellow Malaysian Eogene Ewe in the Malaysian International Challenge in Ipoh yesterday, but it turned out to be a bittersweet outing for the 20-year-old, who has been forced to call it quits right after the tournament. The youngster, who was dropped from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) last year and currently ranked No. 354 in the world, stunned several higher ranked players like fellow Malaysian Ong Zhen Yi (No. 109), India's Manraj Singh (No. 66) and Mithun Manjunath (No. 130) en route to the final. Jan Jireh nearly pulled off another upset in the title match before going down fighting 15-8, 7-15, 13-15 to world No. 80 Eogene at the Arena Badminton Perak. 'I really like to continue playing badminton but I am forced to retire due to lack of funding,' said Jan Jireh. 'Currently, I hardly have any time to train as I have to coach 10 hours a day to make money to travel and compete in tournaments. 'I can only train three days in a month. I am coaching freelance state players in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. 'Travelling for competitions is very expensive and I just cannot continue like this,' added Jan Jireh. However, the Penang-born Jan Jireh would consider continuing his playing career if he manages to get sponsors. 'I will definitely continue playing if I can get sponsors. If not, I will just continue coaching,' said Jan Jireh. 'I will be inconsistent if I cannot train regularly and if I were to play, I want to become better.' Meanwhile, for Eogene, it was his second senior title after his maiden win in the Slovenian Open in May.
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Chong Wei bowled over by Tengku Zafrul's detailed five-year badminton development plan
Convinced: Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei finally agreed to return to BAM as an independent council member after seeing the comprehensive five-year plan called 'Tangkis 2030'. PETALING JAYA: It was never easy trying to lure Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei back into the fold of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). For years since his 2019 retirement, the nation's greatest shuttler kept a respectful distance, politely turning down repeated offers to rejoin the body, preferring instead to contribute on his own terms. But on Saturday, BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz finally achieved what no one else could. So what made him have a change of heart? It was the detailed blueprint called 'Tangkis 2030' that was unveiled by Tengku Zafrul during the council meeting on Saturday. The five-year-plan details BAM's ambitions, covering not just the elite squad but the entire badminton ecosystem. And it convinced him to return as an independent council member. 'To be honest, I was surprised at how detailed his long-term plan is,' said Chong Wei when contacted. 'This is the first time I've seen a BAM president with such a roadmap. In less than 100 days, he's presented a clear vision, and I can see he is sincere about lifting Malaysian badminton. 'Even while still serving as MITI (Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry) Minister until the end of the year, he has worked hard to put this plan together and engaged with all stakeholders to ensure his vision can be carried out 'That is why I've agreed to use my knowledge and experience to help him and Malaysian badminton,' said the 41-year-old legend. 'In the past, many people had asked me to come back to BAM, but I feel that the plan drawn up by Tengku Zafrul is one that covers many aspects,' said Chong Wei. 'Tangkis 2030' is built around five key missions: reclaiming the Thomas Cup by 2026, winning Olympic gold at Los Angeles 2028, producing world No. 1s in at least three events, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of champions, and driving badminton as a pillar of a healthier Malaysia. A flagship programme, 'Road to Thomas Cup', targets ending Malaysia's 34-year drought in Horsens, Denmark, next year. To strengthen BAM's foundations, Tengku Zafrul has also roped in three other heavyweights: former NTV7 and Celcom CEO Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly (branding and marketing), Tan Sri Gooi Hoe Soon (finance), and Datuk Sunil Abraham (legal).
