Latest news with #Nhat
![Irish job suits Iskandar, but BAM offer could tempt a homecoming [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Irish job suits Iskandar, but BAM offer could tempt a homecoming [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Former national shuttler Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin has made an impressive transition into coaching in Ireland. And the 33-year-old now finds himself at the centre of speculation about a possible return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). Iskandar, who is back in town for the Malaysia Masters with the Ireland national team as their singles coach, masterminded Irish No. 1 Nhat Nguyen comeback victory over Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao in the first round on Wednesday. BAM is currently on the lookout for a new women's singles coach, and Iskandar's name has emerged among the possibilities. Speaking to the media, he confirmed receiving an informal inquiry from BAM but was non-committal about his next move. "Yes, a representative from BAM has reached out," said Iskandar, who himself was a runner-up to Lee Chong Wei during the 2016 Malaysia Masters in Penang. "I'm still under contract with Badminton Ireland until the end of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic cycle. My family is also based there, and with young kids, I need to consider everything carefully and discuss it with my family." When asked if BAM had approached him specifically for the women's singles or junior squad roles, Iskandar replied with a laugh, "I'm not too sure which department it was for, honestly." Despite his passion for returning home, Iskandar said he is focused on building his coaching resume abroad. "As a young coach, I'm still in the learning phase," said the 2016 Thomas Cup bronze medallist. "I'm constantly drawing from what I learned under my former national coaches like Hendrawan and Misbun Sidek, and combining their philosophies with my own ideas. My goal is to prove myself through results." Since joining Badminton Ireland in 2021 – first as a sparring partner before being promoted to singles coach – Iskandar has been instrumental in helping Nhat and women's singles shuttler Rachel Darragh make inroads, including qualifying for the Paris Olympics last year. "I'm grateful for the trust given to me in Ireland, and I want to repay it with results," he said. "I've even brought in fellow Malaysians like Yeoh Seng Zoe to support me here." Iskandar is also taking a long-term approach with Irish badminton, having introduced a youth development framework and implemented a sports school-like model. His aim is to help Ireland break into the European elite traditionally dominated by Denmark, France, and Germany. "Our main goal is to win a medal at the European Championships," said Iskandar. "Nhat reached the quarter-finals this year, we were close. But overall, I'm happy with the progress. Our women's singles players used to struggle, but now we have one going to the Olympics. That's a big step forward." Still, Iskandar remains realistic about the time needed to build world-class talent. "To produce top players, it takes time," he said.
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Irish job suits Iskandar, but BAM offer could tempt a homecoming
KUALA LUMPUR: Former national shuttler Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin has made an impressive transition into coaching in Ireland. And the 33-year-old now finds himself at the centre of speculation about a possible return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). Iskandar, who is back in town for the Malaysia Masters with the Ireland national team as their singles coach, masterminded Irish No. 1 Nhat Nguyen comeback victory over Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao in the first round on Wednesday. BAM is currently on the lookout for a new women's singles coach, and Iskandar's name has emerged among the possibilities. Speaking to the media, he confirmed receiving an informal inquiry from BAM but was non-committal about his next move. "Yes, a representative from BAM has reached out," said Iskandar, who himself was a runner-up to Lee Chong Wei during the 2016 Malaysia Masters in Penang. "I'm still under contract with Badminton Ireland until the end of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic cycle. My family is also based there, and with young kids, I need to consider everything carefully and discuss it with my family." When asked if BAM had approached him specifically for the women's singles or junior squad roles, Iskandar replied with a laugh, "I'm not too sure which department it was for, honestly." Despite his passion for returning home, Iskandar said he is focused on building his coaching resume abroad. "As a young coach, I'm still in the learning phase," said the 2016 Thomas Cup bronze medallist. "I'm constantly drawing from what I learned under my former national coaches like Hendrawan and Misbun Sidek, and combining their philosophies with my own ideas. My goal is to prove myself through results." Since joining Badminton Ireland in 2021 – first as a sparring partner before being promoted to singles coach – Iskandar has been instrumental in helping Nhat and women's singles shuttler Rachel Darragh make inroads, including qualifying for the Paris Olympics last year. "I'm grateful for the trust given to me in Ireland, and I want to repay it with results," he said. "I've even brought in fellow Malaysians like Yeoh Seng Zoe to support me here." Iskandar is also taking a long-term approach with Irish badminton, having introduced a youth development framework and implemented a sports school-like model. His aim is to help Ireland break into the European elite traditionally dominated by Denmark, France, and Germany. "Our main goal is to win a medal at the European Championships," said Iskandar. "Nhat reached the quarter-finals this year, we were close. But overall, I'm happy with the progress. Our women's singles players used to struggle, but now we have one going to the Olympics. That's a big step forward." Still, Iskandar remains realistic about the time needed to build world-class talent. "To produce top players, it takes time," he said.
![Jun Hao outfoxed by Nhat and his Malaysian coach [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F21xxisak_1747825059.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Jun Hao outfoxed by Nhat and his Malaysian coach [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Another home tournament, another letdown for singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao, who suffered a first-round exit at the Malaysia Masters on Wednesday. The world No. 25 was shown the door after a 10-21, 21-18, 21-9 defeat to Ireland's Nhat Nguyen — currently ranked No. 33 and coached by former Malaysian international Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin. It was a bitter pill for Jun Hao, who had also bowed out in the opening round of the Malaysia Open in January. Jun Hao, who had just recovered from an elbow injury that forced him out of the Thailand Open last week, chose not to pin the blame on his fitness and instead tried to take the positives. "Nhat changed his strategy after losing the first game and made it really difficult for me," said Jun Hao. "A defeat is a defeat, but I'm okay with how I managed to play through the entire match. That's already a big step forward compared to not being able to compete at all. "There wasn't any pain, but mentally, it still affected me in some way — although that's not an excuse. "Nhat is now a much more aggressive and consistent player. That's great for the competitiveness in men's singles." Jun Hao will be eager to stop the slide and recapture the momentum he built last season. The 2025 campaign hasn't been kind — Wednesday's early exit was his fifth first-round defeat in seven tournaments, with his best showing so far being a solitary last-16 appearance. He did, however, offer glimpses of his potential during Malaysia's quarter-final run at the Sudirman Cup, where he upset world No. 8 Kodai Naraoka. In the women's singles, Goh Jin Wei and K. Letshanaa also bowed out early. Jin Wei was outplayed by two-time champion Ratchanok Intanon, losing 21-7, 21-15. Letshanaa, meanwhile, let a golden opportunity slip after squandering an 18-14 lead in the second game before falling 10-21, 21-19, 21-12 to China's Han Qian Xi. It was Letshanaa's fourth straight defeat to the world No. 48 Qian Xi.
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Jun Hao outfoxed by Nhat and his Malaysian coach
KUALA LUMPUR: Another home tournament, another letdown for singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao, who suffered a first-round exit at the Malaysia Masters on Wednesday. The world No. 25 was shown the door after a 10-21, 21-18, 21-9 defeat to Ireland's Nhat Nguyen — currently ranked No. 33 and coached by former Malaysian international Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin. It was a bitter pill for Jun Hao, who had also bowed out in the opening round of the Malaysia Open in January. Jun Hao, who had just recovered from an elbow injury that forced him out of the Thailand Open last week, chose not to pin the blame on his fitness and instead tried to take the positives. "Nhat changed his strategy after losing the first game and made it really difficult for me," said Jun Hao. "A defeat is a defeat, but I'm okay with how I managed to play through the entire match. That's already a big step forward compared to not being able to compete at all. "There wasn't any pain, but mentally, it still affected me in some way — although that's not an excuse. "Nhat is now a much more aggressive and consistent player. That's great for the competitiveness in men's singles." Jun Hao will be eager to stop the slide and recapture the momentum he built last season. The 2025 campaign hasn't been kind — Wednesday's early exit was his fifth first-round defeat in seven tournaments, with his best showing so far being a solitary last-16 appearance. He did, however, offer glimpses of his potential during Malaysia's quarter-final run at the Sudirman Cup, where he upset world No. 8 Kodai Naraoka. In the women's singles, Goh Jin Wei and K. Letshanaa also bowed out early. Jin Wei was outplayed by two-time champion Ratchanok Intanon, losing 21-7, 21-15. Letshanaa, meanwhile, let a golden opportunity slip after squandering an 18-14 lead in the second game before falling 10-21, 21-19, 21-12 to China's Han Qian Xi. It was Letshanaa's fourth straight defeat to the world No. 48 Qian Xi.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Timothy Linh Bui's Vietnamese Vampire Thriller ‘Daydreamers', Starring Chi Pu, Getting U.S. Release
EXCLUSIVE: Vietnamese vampire thriller Daydreamers is getting a U.S. release via Dark Star Pictures, which has set a limited theatrical run from May 2nd and a digital launch from June 3rd. From producer-director Timothy Linh Bui (Three Seasons), the film is set 400 years ago, reimagining vampire lore in Southeast Asia. As European vampires faced extinction, they fled to Vietnam – then known as Annam – bringing with them the dark curse. The film introduces a dark supernatural world set in modern-day Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. More from Deadline Producer Scott Rudin, Once Banished, Now Contrite, Plans A Big Broadway Comeback 'Mid-Century Modern' Team Talks Linda Lavin's "Devastating" Death, 'Golden Girls' Comparisons & 'Will & Grace' Crossover Potential Landmark Elevates Kevin Holloway To CEO, Will Upgrade Three Theaters In First News Since Foreclosure Auction Cast includes Vietnamese superstar Chi Pu, the singer and actress with more than 20 million followers who became a local sensation after her performance in the hit Chinese reality series Sisters Who Make Waves. She's joined by rising actors Trinh Thao, Thuan Nguyen, and Tran Ngoc Vang. The movie was nominated for six awards at the Vietnamese 2025 Ngoi Sao Xanh (New Face of the Year) Awards and won Best Director, Best New Talent and Best Production Design. The expanded synopsis reads: 'Daydreamers follows Nhat, a young vampire raised in a secluded river community that suppresses its thirst for human blood in hopes of regaining lost humanity. When his long-lost brother Marco returns with stories of vampires thriving in the big city amongst humans, Nhat is drawn into a dangerous world that tests his loyalty, beliefs, and survival. His fate takes a turn when he meets Ha, a rebellious schoolgirl who uncovers his secret—forcing Nhat to break vampire law in an act of forbidden protection. As Trieu, a ruthless vampire queen, orders their execution, the city erupts into chaos, setting the stage for a final battle between brothers—one embracing the monster within, the other fighting to hold onto his last shred of humanity.' The film is one of the first vampire films to emerge from Vietnam, and the U.S. theatrical release will be targeted at cities with large Vietnamese diaspora audiences. Vietnamese-born American filmmaker Timothy Linh Bui produced The Housemaid in 2016 which was released by IFC Films and distributed in 25 countries, and has a remake in the works written by Oscar winner Geoffery Fletcher. He and his brother Tony previously made Three Seasons which won the Grand Jury and Audience Awards at Sundance, and Patrick Swayze film Green Dragon, winner of the Humanitas Prize. In 2013, he co-founded the movie production company Happy Canvas Film in the U.S. In 2016, he moved Happy Canvas Film to Vietnam to develop the film industry in the country, and it went on to make projects including The Bachelor: Vietnam. 'I wanted to tell a story about people who live within the shadows of a modern city,' stated director Bui. 'I was inspired by the Vietnamese riverboat communities, who have been there for decades and are overlooked by those around them. As the ultimate outsiders, vampires are the perfect vehicle to explore that world. They exist in secrecy, live on the margins, and are defined by their need to remain hidden.' Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery '1923' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
