Latest news with #SzeFei-Izzuddin
The Star
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Sze Fei-Izzuddin bent on holding world No. 1 spot after RTG inclusion
Malaysia's Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star PETALING JAYA: Men's doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani believe their inclusion in the Road to Gold (RTG) programme is just the boost they need as they seek to maintain their world No. 1 ranking. Sze Fei-Izzuddin face a tough task to hold on to the top spot after a series of disappointing results but are fired up to improve their form after joining RTG which is an elite programme. Under RTG, they will get additional support services and allowances leading towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. "We are honoured to join the Road to Gold programme for the first time," said Sze Fei via social media. "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 this program and to the RTG committee and staff for their help." The independent pair were included in the programme for the first time after their stunning performances last year and beginning of this year which propelled them to world No. 1. Sze Fei-Izzuddin captured the China Open, Japan Open and Arctic Open titles before finishing runners-up in the prestigious World Tour Finals last year. The duo then continued their fine form by winning the Indian Open in January but have not reached the semi-finals in any of their outings since. Sze Fei-Izzuddin have two big tournaments coming up next month - the back-to-back Japan Open from July 15-20 and China Open from July 22-27. The duo need to do well in both the tourneys to protect their ranking points from last year and maintain their No. 1 ranking. Sze Fei-Izzuddin's biggest challengers to the top spot seem to be fellow Malaysians Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who are currently No. 2 in the world. The latter, who have been on fire since April, are keen to overtake the former and become No. 1 themselves for the first time. Aaron-Wooi Yik triumphed in the Asian Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open and finished runners-up to another national pair, world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in the Malaysian Masters. With their fellow countrymen looking to maintain their hot streak, the onus is on Sze Fei-Izzuddin to raise their own game to remain as the No. 1.
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.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Hannah Yeoh: Two pro pairs have agreed to join RTG
KUALA LUMPUR: Their fellow independent Lee Zii Jia said no earlier, but badminton pairs Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai said yes yesterday. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has confirmed that men's doubles world No. 1 Sze Fei-Izzuddin and mixed doubles world No. 6 Soon Huat-Shevon were the latest to join the Road to Gold (RTG) programme. The four shuttlers and their coach Teo Kok Siang met RTG coordinator Datuk Stuart Ramalingam at the National Sports Institute yesterday before signing their commitments. This makes badminton the sport with the largest number of players listed under the elite Olympic programme with 12. "Four professional badminton athletes Sze Fei, Izzuddin, Soon Huat and Shevon had pledged their commitment to the RTG programme on June 18," posted Yeoh on her Facebook today. "Through the RTG, these four will now receive extensive performance-related support as they aim to not only qualify for the 2028 Olympics, but also create history for Malaysia in Los Angeles. "RTG has always supported athletes who fulfil the criteria of the programme and we hope this additional support will spur them in their pursuit of excellence this year." Besides Sze Fei-Izzuddin and Soon Huat-Shevon, eight other shuttlers pledged their commitments last week. They are men's doubles world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, women's doubles world No. 3 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and mixed doubles world No. 4 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei. World No. 28 Zii Jia had turned down the Youth and Sports Ministry's offer to join the RTG programme with his management team saying the support should be given to his peers who are more deserving in the present time.
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.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sze Fei-Izzuddin in danger of losing world No. 1 ranking
KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani must regain their edge quickly ahead of next month's Japan Open (July 15-20) and China Open (July 22-27), or risk losing their top spot. The independent pair captured both titles last year and must now defend their points to stay at the summit. Since lifting the India Open in January, Sze Fei-Izzuddin have struggled to maintain momentum, failing to add another title to their World Tour campaign. They have reached the quarter-finals in each of their last four tournaments. The Japan Open is a Super 750 event offering 11,000 points to the winners, while the China Open is a prestigious Super 1000 tournament, with 13,500 points up for grabs. Former national player Datuk James Selvaraj believes the pair must rediscover the focus that powered their rise following their departure from the BA of Malaysia last year. "They need to recapture the form and focus they showed after leaving BAM," James told Timesport on Sunday. "That's their main problem now. They've got time to fine-tune their game before Japan and China, and they must make it count. "Getting to world No. 1 is tough, but staying there takes even more effort. You don't want to be top one week and drop to No. 2 or 3 the next." Sze Fei-Izzuddin currently hold 91,090 points, but are being chased down by compatriots and former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who moved up to No. 2 this week with 89,870 points — just 1,220 behind. Aaron-Wooi Yik, also the reigning Asian champions, will be gunning to leapfrog their rivals and claim the world No. 1 ranking for the first time along with bragging rights as Malaysia's top men's doubles pair.
