Fire Dragon Herry stays cool ahead of 'hot' reception in Istora for first time
Coach Herry Iman Pierngadi (third from right) with the players. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: For the first time in three decades, badminton coach Herry Iman Pierngadi will be sitting on the opposing side at his home 'Istora Senayan' in Jakarta during the Indonesian Open.
Herry, as the new and successful doubles coach in Malaysia in just less than five months, may receive 'hot' reception from his home fans when the competition starts on Tuesday (June 3) but he is cool with it.
The 62-year-old Herry, who arrived in Jakarta on June 2 (Monday), said he knows where he stands.
"This is the first time in 30 years that I will be in Istora but not with the Indonesian team...it does feel weird in some way," said Herry.
Herry, who is also known as Fire Dragon in the badminton community, has seen many Indonesian stars winning under his guidance at the home meet in Istora since the 1990s, including Rexy Mainaky-Ricky Subagja, Tony Gunawan-Candra Wijaya, Sigit Budiarto-Candra, Luluk Hadiyanto-Alven Yulianto, Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan, and Hendra-Mohammad Ahsan.
"But this is a professional job, and my allegiance is now with Malaysia as the coach and I've a duty to guide my players in the Indonesian Open," added Herry.
On Sunday, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik won their third title under Herry's leadership when they lifted the Singapore Open. They also had won the Asian Championships and Thailand Open titles.
Last week, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun emerged as the Malaysian Masters champions after beating Aaron-Wooi Yik in a rare all-Malaysian men's doubles final at home.
Malaysia last won the doubles title in Indonesia through Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari in 2008.
Hope will be on Aaron-Wooi Yik, Wei Chong-Kai Wun and professionals Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who had just last week attained the world No. 1 status, to end the 17-year wait for a men's doubles title in Istora.
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