Latest news with #BadmintonAssociationofMalaysia
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Shock early exit leaves Sze Fei-Izzuddin at a loss for words
PETALING JAYA: Professional men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were left stunned after their China Open campaign came to an abrupt end in the first round in Changzhou. The defending champions, who were riding high after finishing runners-up at the Japan Open last week, were expected to cruise past South Korea's world No. 40 pair Kang Min-hyuk-Ki Dong-ju. But the top seeds suffered a shock 21-15, 15-21, 17-21 defeat in a 56-minute encounter. Clearly disappointed, Sze Fei-Izzuddin struggled to find words after the match and offered only a brief response. They credited the Korean pair for their composure and tactical control that thwarted their hopes of advancing. 'I think we already tried our best, but our opponents were better than us today. In terms of the first three shots, they were able to control the game,' said Sze Fei in a post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF). Mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie also endured a similar disappointment after going down 21-18, 22-24, 15-21 to Indonesia's Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu yesterday. It has been a disappointing week for Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who not only lost their world No. 1 ranking to South Korea's Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae, but also slipped to No. 3 in the world behind compatriots Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. To make matters worse, just two days before their opening match in Changzhou, the pair were also caught in speculation that they might return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). However, Sze Fei was quick to deny the rumours. They now have a month to regroup and get themselves ready for the World Championships, which will be held in Paris starting on Aug 23.
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
With more time under coach Kenneth, Leong says he can turn around his game
A job well done: Leong Jun Hao pulled off an impressive win over world No. 13 Kenta Nishimoto in the China Open first round. PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Leong Jun Hao insisted that he is on the right path under coach Kenneth Jonassen despite a difficult year so far. Jun Hao has suffered early round exits in all his individual tournaments in the men's singles this year except in the Singapore Open last month where he made it to the quarter-finals. Yesterday, the 26-year-old showed signs of positivity when he pulled off an impressive win over world No. 13 Kenta Nishimoto in the China Open first round to set up a mouth-watering match-up against reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand tomorrow. Nishimoto narrowly denied Jun Hao in the Swiss Open second round in March but the latter gained sweet revenge by claiming a 21-15, 21-18 victory in 45 minutes at the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium in Changzhou. The world No. 26 Jun Hao is confident that with more time under Jonassen, he can turn around his form. Jonassen only joined the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in January and has been working on moulding Jun Hao into a more consistent player. 'Kenneth and I are working well together but I guess we still need some time to add some new technique to my game,' said Jun Hao in a post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF). 'Playing against different styles, we need a little bit more time to get our strategies right. 'Kenneth focuses more on technique and mindset and he has helped me so far. We just need to keep going.' The win against Nishimoto was much needed for the 2017 Asian Junior Champion after his tame first-round defeat at the hands of world No. 9 Frenchman Alex Lanier in the Japan Open in Tokyo last week. 'I managed to control the draught in the stadium quite well. The conditions here are quite tricky as the draught is quite strong,' said Jun Hao. 'For sure, this win makes me more confident. I need to prepare well to face Kunlavut next. I will focus on rest and recovery first before trying to come up with a plan against him.' Jun Hao knows he needs to raise his game against Kunlavut after losing to the latter in straight games in the Singapore Open. The world No. 1 Thai also came out on top in his home Open last year while Jun Hao's sole win over Kunlavut in senior tournaments came in the Austrian Open in 2018. Meanwhile, in the men's doubles, Mohd Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian suffered an early exit after going down 11-21, 10-21 to Indonesia's Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri. RESULTS (Malaysians only) First round Men's singles: Leong Jun Hao bt Kenta Nishimoto (Jpn) 21-15, 21-18. Men's doubles: Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri (Ina) bt Mohd Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian 21-11, 21-10. Mixed doubles: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei bt Presley Smith-Jennie Gai (US) 22-20, 21-12; Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien bt Rohan Kapoor-Ruthvika Gadde (Ind) before prevailing 25-27, 21-16, 21-14; Gao Jiaxuan-Wu Mengying (Chn) bt Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin 21-15, 21-16.
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Sze Fei commits to pro career with Izzuddin under Kok Siang
National men's doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in action against compatriot Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in the quarter-final match of Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Friday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star 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. The following month they captured the Indian Open title. 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.
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Sze Fei commits to pro career with Izzuddin under coach Kok Siang
National men's doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani staying put as pros under coach Teo Kok Siang. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star 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.
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
BAM open for pros Sze Fei-Izzuddin to train under Herry
Duo on a mission: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will be defending their China Open title in the tourney starting today in Changzhou. PETALING JAYA: Independent men's doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani can train under coach Herry Iman Pierngadi through a win-win arrangement with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). If both sides are agreeable, pros Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who are currently under the Road to Gold (RTG) Olympic programme, can work with BAM to arrange scheduled joint training sessions under Herry. BAM secretary-general Kenny Goh said that the national body had always been open for professionals to train at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) on a scheduled basis. 'We have no problems to accept them to train with us, perhaps on a scheduled basis. At the moment, there isn't any request from them,' said Kenny. Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who left BAM at the end of August last year to turn independent, seemed interested to return to the national fold a few months ago but they did not follow through. The possibility may have been more attractive for the duo due to the presence of Herry, who replaced Tan Bin Shen as the men's doubles head coach in February. The legendary Indonesian has already made his mark, guiding Aaron-Wooi Yik to the Asian Championships, Singapore Open and Thailand Open titles and helped Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun triumph in the Malaysian Masters. Sze Fei-Izzuddin also had praised Herry's coaching after taking part in joint training sessions in the lead-up to the Sudirman Cup in April. After a dip in form, the pair seem to have regained some of their best performances in the Japan Open where they finished runners-up to South Korea's Seo Seung-jae-Kim Won-ho in Tokyo on Sunday. It was Sze Fei-Izzuddin's first final since capturing the Indian Open in January. The pair are next attempting to defend their China Open title in the tourney starting today in Changzhou. Sze Fei-Izzuddin have a tricky opening match against South Korea's Kang Min-hyuk-Ki Dong-ju. Meanwhile, Aaron-Wooi Yik will face Denmark's Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard in the first round and will be out to make amends after a shock opening round exit at the hands of fellow Malaysians Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi in Japan. The other Malaysians in the fray in the men's doubles are Wei Chong-Kai Wun, Yew Sin-Ee Yi, Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi, Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Mohd Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian.
