Latest news with #RazifSidek
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Razif Sidek discharged from hospital
KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton legend Datuk Razif Sidek, who has just recovered from a serious health condition, has never missed a beat about the sport in the country. His passion for badminton had, in fact, helped him recover faster from pneumonia. Razif has been in high spirits since being discharged from hospital on Monday. "I am getting better each day. I have another check-up in two weeks' time, and in the meantime, I just need to take a good rest," Razif said when contacted by Timesport on Thursday. "Everything should be alright after that, and I am thankful for the moral support that I have received from family, friends, and fans. "Badminton has always kept me going." Razif had also enquired about the progress of the doubles, and was delighted to hear that independent pairs - Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai have joined the Road to Gold (RTG) programme yesterday.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Razif Sidek now out of danger, expected to be discharged soon
KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton legend Datuk Razif Sidek is on the mend after being hospitalised with pneumonia, according to his brother, Datuk Rashid Sidek. Razif, who captained Malaysia to the 1992 Thomas Cup title, was admitted on June 11 after experiencing breathing difficulty and was later diagnosed with pneumonia. "He's still in hospital and under observation," Rashid told Timesport on Sunday. "But he's doing much better than when he was first admitted on Wednesday. He needs to finish his course of antibiotics. If all goes well, he could be discharged soon." The 63-year-old had just returned from a short family holiday in Australia. It's believed the cold winter air Down Under may have triggered his illness. Razif and his brother, Datuk Seri Jalani Sidek, were once ranked world No.1. Their illustrious careers included winning the 1982 All England men's doubles title. The pair also made history as Malaysia's first Olympic medallists, claiming bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Games. They bagged two World Championship medals — silver in 1987 (Beijing) and bronze in 1989 (Jakarta). While no longer coaching full-time, Razif remains an influential figure in the local badminton scene and is known for his outspoken takes on national players' performances. His son, Fazriq Razif, is currently part of the national men's doubles squad, partnering Bryan Goonting.
New Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Razif Sidek hospitalised with breathing difficulty
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Razif Sidek, who captained Malaysia to the 1992 Thomas Cup title, was hospitalised yesterday with breathing issues. Razif, 63, is suspected to be suffering from pneumonia. Datuk Rashid Sidek, a former Olympic bronze medallist, said that his elder brother was in stable condition after visiting him at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur. "He is in stable condition. He had just returned from a short holiday from Australia and since it was winter there, his health possibly got affected," said Rashid. "Razif is under good care and I pray that he recovers and returns to full health." Razif, who used to be world No. 1 with younger brother Jalani, had won numerous honours including the 1982 All England men's doubles crown. Although not coaching actively nowadays, Razif has been keeping in touch with Malaysian badminton and never shies away from airing his critical views on the performances of national shuttlers. His son Fazriq Razif is also part of the national men's doubles squad and he currently partners Bryan Goonting.
New Straits Times
03-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Razif warns Sze Fei-Izzuddin on world No.1 ranking
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Razif Sidek has questioned whether newly crowned world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are struggling to cope with the weight of expectations at the top. The men's doubles pair suffered another blow on Friday, falling in the Singapore Open quarter-finals to Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty of India, extending their run of five consecutive events without a semi-final appearance. "They're not handling the pressure well," said Razif bluntly. "Becoming world No. 1 is easier than staying there. Everyone wants to beat you once you're on top, and they look like they're struggling to deal with that." The Malaysians soared to world No. 1 on May 27 after winning three World Tour titles since turning professional and leaving the BA of Malaysia (BAM) in September last year. But their form has dipped since lifting the Super 750 India Open in January, with recent defeats and early exits raising concerns. Razif, who famously topped the world rankings in 1990 with his brother Datuk Seri Jalani Sidek, believes the pair have lost their spark and need to urgently regroup. "They need to check and balance everything. Re-strategise, and figure out how to maintain their performance," he added. "They used to be sharp and dangerous. Now, they're looking a little lost." Razif pointed out that tough draws in recent tournaments may have contributed, but insisted there's no excuse for the lack of intensity. "They're an attacking pair. That requires power, endurance and consistency, and I don't see that right now," said the former All England champion. "They've clearly dropped off physically. They're not as offensive as they were post-Paris Olympics. Pressure may be one part of it, but they need to meet the physical demands that come with being the best." Sze Fei-Izzuddin will head into the Indonesia Open Super 1000 in Jakarta next week as the top seeds with a target on their backs. They open against Taiwan's world No. 20 Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen, and are expected to face China's Xi Hao Nan-Zheng Wei Han (No. 30) and Indonesia's Sabar Karyaman-Moh Reza Isfahani (No. 8) before reaching the business end.
New Straits Times
31-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sze Fei-Izzuddin warned being world No. 1 is just the beginning
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Razif Sidek has questioned whether newly crowned world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are struggling to cope with the weight of expectations at the top. The men's doubles pair suffered another blow on Friday, falling in the Singapore Open quarter-finals to Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty of India, extending their run of five consecutive events without a semi-final appearance. "They're not handling the pressure well," said Razif bluntly. "Becoming world No. 1 is easier than staying there. Everyone wants to beat you once you're on top, and they look like they're struggling to deal with that." The Malaysians soared to world No. 1 on May 27 after winning three World Tour titles since turning professional and leaving the BA of Malaysia (BAM) in September last year. But their form has dipped since lifting the Super 750 India Open in January, with recent defeats and early exits raising concerns. Razif, who famously topped the world rankings in 1990 with his brother Datuk Seri Jalani Sidek, believes the pair have lost their spark and need to urgently regroup. "They need to check and balance everything. Re-strategise, and figure out how to maintain their performance," he added. "They used to be sharp and dangerous. Now, they're looking a little lost." Razif pointed out that tough draws in recent tournaments may have contributed, but insisted there's no excuse for the lack of intensity. "They're an attacking pair. That requires power, endurance and consistency, and I don't see that right now," said the former All England champion. "They've clearly dropped off physically. They're not as offensive as they were post-Paris Olympics. Pressure may be one part of it, but they need to meet the physical demands that come with being the best." Sze Fei-Izzuddin will head into the Indonesia Open Super 1000 in Jakarta next week as the top seeds with a target on their backs. They open against Taiwan's world No. 20 Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen, and are expected to face China's Xi Hao Nan-Zheng Wei Han (No. 30) and Indonesia's Sabar Karyaman-Moh Reza Isfahani (No. 8) before reaching the business end. For now, Razif's message is clear — being No. 1 is not the finish line, it's just the beginning.
