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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.
The Star
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Goh-Izzuddin's world No. 1 spot could soon be under threat if they don't lift their game
Malaysia's Goh Sze Fei - Nur Izzuddin in action for mens double match during the Malaysia Open 2025 at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star PETALING JAYA: Reaching world No. 1 is hard but maintaining the top position seems even tougher. Men's doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who surged to the coveted spot last month, are struggling for consistency and are in danger of relinquishing their position if they don't find a way to improve fast. Sze Fei-Izzuddin's run in the Indonesian Open ended in the quarter-finals after they narrowly went down 19-21, 21-9, 19-21 to world No. 8 homesters Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza at a packed Istora Senayan in Jakarta on Friday. The independent pair were looking good to make the semis when they led 17-14 and 19-17 in the deciding game but could not hold on and ended up losing in 57 minutes. It was Sze Fei-Izzuddin's third quarter-final exit in a row after they also suffered the same fate in the Malaysian Masters and Singapore Open. The duo have failed to progress to the last four in any of their competitions since capturing the Indian Open title in January. Sze Fei-Izzuddin will remain as the world No. 1 for now after their closest challengers for the top spot, Denmark's world No. 2 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rassmussen and world No. 3 teammates Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik suffered early exits in the Indonesian tourney but could be overtaken next month if they don't rediscover their best form. Sze Fei-Izzuddin have two important back-to-back tournaments coming up next month – the Japan Open from July 15-20 and China Open from July 22-27. The pair won both the competitions last year and will be under pressure to reach the finals again in both to protect their ranking points and maintain their No. 1 position. Sze Fei-Izzuddin admitted that after losing to Sabar-Moh they needed to get used to the pressure of being at the top. "Our opponents controlled their emotions well during the last few points while we were quite nervous," said Izzuddin in a post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF). Sze Fei said: "These are the things we need to improve on and we hope to do better next time. "The pressure is always there. It depends on how we handle the expectations." Going through ups and downs is normal and the onus is now on Sze Fei-Izzuddin to fight back and prove that they deserve to remain as the world's best pair.
The Star
06-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Man-Tee make coach Herry proud in Istora by knocking out Indian pair for first time
Malaysia'ss Tee Kai Wun, left, and Man Wei Chong celebrate after winning. - AP PETALING JAYA: National men's doubles players Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun were jumping for joy at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta after reaching the semi-finals of the Indonesian Open on Friday (June 6). World No. 10 Wei Chong-Kai Wun, who trains under coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, pulled off an incredible 21-19, 21-16 win against India's Satwik Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty in 43 minutes in the quarter-finals. It was their first win five meeting against the fast-attacking Indian players. Their most recent encounter against Satwik-Chirag at the Indian Open in January ended in a disappointing defeat but today they turned their fortunes in sensational form. They will play the winners of the match between professionals and world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Sabar Karyaman-Moh Reza of Indonesia next.
The Star
05-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Man-Tee gear up for grudge tie against Indian pair in Istora
Giving a good fight: Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun overcame Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi in the second round. PETALING JAYA: It's personal this time. Malaysia's top men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun are out to finally crack the code against their nemesis – India's top pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty – in a high-stakes Indonesian Open quarter-final showdown today. Despite holding a higher world ranking at No. 7 compared to the Indian duo's 22nd, Wei Chong-Kai Wun are still chasing their first win in five meetings since 2022 – a losing streak they are desperate to end. Their most recent encounter at the Indian Open in January ended in a disappointing defeat but they are hoping to turn their fortunes. The clash is expected to be an even tougher challenge than their all-Malaysian battle yesterday, where they overcame Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi in the second round. Wei Chong-Kai Wun looked on the verge of defeat after dropping the first game, but they rallied to secure a hard-fought 14-21, 21-11, 21-15 victory against their teammates. Satwiksairaj-Chirag also showed fire in their belly by advancing to the quarter-finals after edging past Denmark's Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard 16-21, 21-18, 22-20 in a thrilling game. Wei Chong is ready to face the huge battle ahead. 'It was a tough match against our teammates (Roy King-Wan Arif), because we knew each other's game very well. The match depended on our condition really,' said Wei Chong. 'I think we really did well in our game plan and our shots. I think it's getting better, and we managed to pull a strong comeback.' Wei Chong-Kai Wun were the finalists at last year's edition and hopes are high on them to get into the same stage again. Meanwhile, women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah breathed a sigh of relief after battling through a tough encounter against the home favourites Lanny Tria Mayasari-Siti Fadia Ramadhanti to reach the quarter-finals. Playing at the Istora Senayan in front of thousands of passionate home fans can be daunting for any player but Pearly-Thinaah managed to overcome the challenge, especially after falling behind significantly in the first game. They booked their quarter-final spot after a hard-fought 18-21, 21-16, 21-17 victory. 'Definitely not easy to play with them (Lanny-Siti). We've played against them a few times already but I think what really helped both of us today (yesterday) was the support from each other and also the coaches who didn't give up on us. 'They kept motivating us even though we were going deep into the match, but we didn't want to let that affect us or bring our motivation and spirit down. 'We just kept fighting for one point at a time. I think that really helped us,' said Thinaah. The duo will play the winners of the match between teammates Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee and Japan's Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi. RESULTS (Malaysians only) SECOND ROUND Men's doubles: Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun bt Yap Roy King-Wang Arif Wan Junaidi 14-21, 21-11, 21-15. Women's doubles: Pearly bt Lanny Tria Mayasari-Siti Fadia Ramadhanti (Ina) 18-21, 21-16, 21-17. Mixed doubles: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei bt Mads Vestergaard-Christine Busch (Den) 21-9, 21-12; Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie bt Amri Syahnawi-Nita Violina Marwah (Ina) 21-12, 21-17. FIRST ROUND Men's singles: Leong Jun Hao bt Chico Dwi Wardoyo (Ina) 21-13, 21-12. Men's doubles: Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard (Den) bt Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik 21-13, 19-21, 21-18. Women's singles: Kirsty Gilmour (Sco) bt Goh Jin Wei 22-20, 21-16.
The Star
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
New status boon or bane?
PETALING JAYA: Professional men's doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have a chance to live up to their new world No. 1 status at the Indonesian Open starting today in Jakarta. The top seeds, however, knows that it will not be an easy job but it is not an impossible task to pull off either. Sze Fei-Izzuddin are the first pros to rise to the summit of world ranking and the fifth Malaysian pair to stand tall at that position after Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng (2002), Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah (2004), Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (2007) and Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (2016). They moved up one rung to the historic top spot last week but days later, they were sent packing in the quarter-finals of the Singapore Open. Chong Ming hailed their rise in the ranking as exceptional but acknowledged that the status comes with huge expectations and attention. 'All eyes will be on them now. They will be the target,' said Chong Ming during the ongoing Daikin International Championships that had attracted over 5,000 entries at Sunsuria Pioneer Badminton Centre in Kota Damansara yesterday. 'While it is a great accomplishment to reach to the top as not many get to do this, but it also comes with lots of pressure. 'We saw that when they played in the Singapore Open. First hurdle: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will face the Lee twin brothers – Fang-chih-Fang-jen of Taiwan in the first round of the Indonesian Open today. 'Now, everyone will expect them to live up to that favourite tag as the top seeds but that can adversely affect their match temperament if they don't know how to deal with it. Being in the same precarious position before, Chong Ming said the trick was to stay composed but admitted that it would take time to master it. 'Most of the times, those who ascend to the summit will find it hard to remain there. It's a challenge to maintain it as we tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves but if we don't over think it, it is possible to reign for long. 'Sze Fei-Izzuddin have to work doubly hard to maintain it too. It's not impossible to be consistent at that level as some of the players have done it before,' he said. Chong Ming hoped to see a better performance from Sze Fei-Izzuddin in Jakarta, as the pair had slowed down for almost three months since enjoying a stretch of back-to-back victories. 'You can see a drop in their game but hopefully, they will pick up from where they left last year when they were on fiery form,' said Chong Ming. Sze Fei-Izzuddin started brilliantly this year when they emerged as the Indian Open winners in January, following up on the back of a sensational second half in 2024. Then, they had won the Japan Open (Aug), China Open (Oct), Arctic Open (Oct) and finished as the runners-up at the World Tour Finals (Dec). In the Indonesian Open, Sze Fei-Izzuddin will face the Lee twin brothers – Fang-chih-Fang-jen of Taiwan in the first round and should they win, they will face the winners of the match between Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Ayob and China's Xie Haonan-Zeng Weihan. Also in their half are also three other Malaysian pairs – reigning Singapore Open winners Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Wan Junaidi Wan Arif-Yap Roy King. Malaysia have not won the men's doubles title in the Super 1000 since Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif won in 2008. Wei Chong-Kai Wun, however, pulled off a surprise by winning the lower-tier Indonesian Masters in January.
