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New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
World No 1 Sze Fei-Izzuddin ready to smash goals with RTG backing
KUALA LUMPUR: World No 1 pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are confident that joining the Road to Gold (RTG) programme will help them maintain their top ranking and achieve more on the international stage. The independent pair accepted the government's offer to join RTG on Wednesday. "We are honoured to join RTG for the first time," Sze Fei posted on Instagram. "The additional support will help us greatly as we aim to maintain our ranking and achieve big things this year. "A big thanks to Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh for offering us a chance to be part of the initiative." Sze Fei-Izzuddin were previously not part of RTG, as they had yet to break into the top 10 of the world rankings. However, a stellar run in 2024, including titles at the Japan Open, China Open and Arctic Open, saw them finish the year as world No 3, and they have since climbed to the summit. With their inclusion in RTG, the pair will now receive added backing — from sports science support to monthly allowances — to help them prepare for major tournaments, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Still, staying in the programme won't be easy. From 2025, RTG will implement stricter benchmarks, requiring athletes to finish in the top eight of the World Championships and the world rankings. In 2027 and 2028, the bar will be raised even higher, with athletes needing to be in the top four of both to retain their RTG benefits. Sze Fei-Izzuddin also face another immediate test: holding on to the No 1 spot. Their fiercest challengers are none other than compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, the Olympic bronze medallists who are currently ranked world No 2 and also part of the RTG programme.
The Star
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
It's harder to stay at summit but world No. 1 Goh-Izzuddin can if they learn to enjoy
Words of wisdom: Coach Teo Kok Siang giving pointers to Goh Sze Fei as Nur Izzuddin Rumsani listens to Ameer Amri Zainuddin. PETALING JAYA: The goal of becoming world No.1 in badminton is something every player aspires, but a few achieve it. And that's why coach Teo Kok Siang wants Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to enjoy it while it lasts. Kok Siang knows it would not be easy to reign at the top as they become the target of the rest of the pack. Sze Fei-Izzuddin have been holding on to the top spot for three consecutive weeks. In fact, they have maintained at the top three spot in the world for six months since jumping to the No. 3 in December last year. The progression of Sze Fei-Izzuddin to the top has been quite surreal really, considering they had gone separate ways briefly in 2023 and only started showing their true colours as world beaters in the middle of 2024. And through sheer diligence and hard work, they have made it to the top under a local coach and as professionals. En route to the No. 1 spot in the world, they had captured titles at the Japan Open, China Open, Arctic Open (2024) and Indian Open this year. They also emerged as the runners-up at the 2024 World Tour Finals. Kok Siang is proud of the boys but he knows it's harder to stay at the top. 'I just want to congratulate the boys for reaching the No. 1 spot in the world and staying there for now. I do hope they can stay focused and continue to enjoy in every game,' said Kok Siang. 'The rise to the top should serve as a good motivation and they should not treat it as a pressure. 'I do wish they can maintain it for long time and consistently produce the results, but I'm sure they will try it. 'Sze Fei-Izzuddin knows, no matter what (whether up or down), they have my team and I to support them all the way,' said Kok Siang. Being the defending champions, all eyes will be on Sze Fei-Izzuddin at the Japan Open from July 15-20 in Tokyo and the China Open from July 22-27 in Changzhou. Said Kok Siang: 'The challenge will be tougher in these two tournaments for sure but our players will be ready for it.' It has not been that rosy for Sze Fei-Izzuddin in the last few tournaments after losing in the quarter-finals in their last four stints at the Indonesian Open, Singapore Open, Malaysian Masters and Asian Badminton Championships. On their status in the Road to Gold, Kok Siang said a decision had not been reached. 'The players had been busy with tournaments but with a short break now, we will be able to sit down and discuss,' he said. 'It will be good to get the help but it's all up to the players,' added Kok Siang.
India Today
18-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Lakshya Sen: What has gone wrong with the promising badminton star?
There's no hiding from the fact that the metallic wand which once worked like a charm for Lakshya Sen is no longer producing the same magic. In recent months, Sen has experienced more setbacks than successes. From coming agonisingly close to Olympic glory to faltering in the early rounds of tournaments, the shuttler has seen a significant dip in the Paris Games, where he finished fourth, Sen struggled to string together wins. Back-to-back early exits at the Kumamoto Masters, Denmark Open, and Arctic Open raised concerns. A striking pattern in his defeats was his tendency to lose from advantageous positions—he let two matches slip away despite being a game Sen briefly redeemed himself by clinching his first Syed Modi International title. The comeback was short-lived, as he delivered underwhelming performances in the All England Open, Asia Championships, and Thailand Open. His rough patch has lasted longer than anyone anticipated. When an athlete endures a prolonged slump, the conversation typically centres around two possibilities: is it a technical flaw or a mental block? In Sen's case, it appears to be more of a mental challenge—at least according to his coach, Vimal Kumar. Vimal believes that Sen needs to change his mindset on court, which could be the key to unlocking the consistent results that have eluded him of late."He needs to overcome how to deal with a particular situation. I have talked to him enough on that. He also knows but has to apply himself and get that thing done. Nobody else can. It's only his hands, how the thought process happens and how he deals with it,' Vimal told Hindustan Padukone had earlier stated that it was in fact on the players to introspect, and find a way to win.'The players need to introspect, and not just keep asking for more from the federations. They need to ask themselves whether they are working hard enough. Ultimately the responsibility is on the players to go and deliver when it matters the most," Padukone had expressed after Sen's loss in the bronze medal match at the Paris the Paris Olympics, Sen emerged as India's best-performing badminton player, defeating several higher-ranked opponents during an impressive run. Hailed as a future champion by none other than Viktor Axelsen, Sen now faces a formidable challenge—not just to overcome his mental block, but to do what champions are known for: win by Sidharth GulatiMust Watch
The Star
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Mixed doubles shuttler grateful for chance to play again after knee injury
Back in action: Yap Roy King-Valeree Siow tried their best but fell in the opening round of the Thailand Open to South Korea's Ki Dong-ju-Jeong Na-eun. PETALING JAYA: Injuries are every athlete's worst nightmare, and for some, it can mark the end of a promising career. That is why mixed doubles shuttler Valeree Siow feels nothing but relief after overcoming a serious knee injury that she described as one of the lowest points of her career. The 23-year-old sustained the injury during the Arctic Open in October last year, forcing her and partner Yap Roy King to withdraw midway through their first round match against England's Ethan Leeuwen-Chloe Coney. Looking back, Valeree is grateful to have made a successful return and even more thankful that her story didn't end the way it did for some of her seniors who were forced to retire due to long-term injuries. After a six-month layoff, the Perak-born shuttler made a surprise return to international competition when she received a last-minute invitation from Badminton Asia to compete in the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China, in early April. Valeree-Roy King managed to reach the second round of the tournament, but this week, their campaign at the ongoing Thailand Open in Bangkok was cut short after they fell in the opening round to South Korea's Ki Dong-ju-Jeong Na-eun. 'I only found out I'd be playing in the Asian Championships two weeks before the tournament through my coach, and I just tried to prepare as best as I could,' said Valeree. 'To be honest, I wouldn't say I'm happy, but I'm very thankful because it was a very serious injury. 'I'm proud of myself for doing everything I could to get back on court within this time. It was the worst injury I've ever had.' As for the Malaysian Masters starting on Tuesday, Valeree is keeping her expectations in check despite facing India's Sathish Karunakaran-Aadya Variyath in the opening round. She is also leaving all planning in the hands of coach Nova Widianto, who had previously expressed his intention to reshuffle the current mixed doubles pairings in the national squad. 'I didn't think too much about it (referring to seniors who had to retire due to injuries). I just focused on what I needed to do. I'm just glad that I didn't let the injury defeat me. 'For now, my only hope is to regain my rhythm and momentum, and most importantly, to stay injury-free,' she added.
New Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Betting on doubles power
KUALA LUMPUR: The singles may prove tricky for Malaysia but the team should seal a win purely on their doubles firepower against an under-strength France in the opening Group C match at the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China, today. Malaysia must beat the emerging European power at the Xiamen Olympic Sports Centre as another victory against Australia on April 29 will confirm their quarter-final berth. The absences of France's elite — men's singles Alex Lanier (world No. 10), men's doubles Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov (No. 18) and mixed doubles Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue (No. 10) — have made the mission easier for joint-fifth seed Malaysia. However, the men's singles could still be tricky as the experienced world No. 62 Arnaud Merkle could make things difficult for world No. 26 Leong Jun Hao who had to battle for three games against the Frenchman at the Arctic Open in Finland in October. National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen is unlikely to deploy Justin Hoh as the world No. 43 was beaten in straight games by Merkle at the Orleans Masters last month. Women's singles world No. 43 Goh Jin Wei should have the upper hand against world No. 81 Leonice Huet but the Malaysian must not take her unheralded opponent lightly in their first meeting. However, Malaysia should not face any problems in the doubles. The Popov brothers, who won the European title two weeks ago, may pose a strong resistance, but their compatriots Mael Cattoen-Lucas Renoir don't seem capable of withstanding any of the power-packed Malaysian men's pairs. Any of the three pairs — world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, newly crowned Asian champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (No. 4) and world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun — should outclass Cattoen-Renoir. In the women's doubles, world No. 5 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are a class above Margot Lambert-Camille Pognante while mixed doubles world No. 3 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai are also unlikely to be tested by Gregoire Deschamps-Margot Lambert (No. 120). Malaysia will most likely field their best line-up against France in order to allow the main players to gain momentum. Jun Hao, who is the co-captain of the team with Pearly, will be hoping to have a winning start in order to settle his nerves and prove that he is a worthy foil in the absence of the injured world No. 9 Lee Zii Jia in Xiamen.
