The weight of a two-decade-long wait for Asian Games badminton gold hangs heavy over Malaysia, but a legendary figure believes the drought is about to end. Former Olympic silver medallist Datuk Cheah Soon Kit has thrown his full backing behind men's doubles duo Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, declaring them the nation's best hope for glory in Aichi-Nagoya.
Malaysia hasn't tasted Asian Games badminton gold since Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong triumphed at the 2006 Doha Games. The pressure is immense, but Sze Fei-Izzuddin seem ready to embrace it.
Key Points:
- Datuk Cheah Soon Kit champions Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to secure Malaysia's first Asian Games badminton gold in 20 years.
- The formidable duo has openly set their sights on the gold medal at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Games, held from Sept 20-29.
- Soon Kit expresses surprise and concern over the decision to split reigning world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.
- Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah are also seen as strong medal contenders, contingent on Pearly's full recovery and renewed confidence.
The Golden Dream: Sze Fei-Izzuddin's High Stakes
World No. 6 Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have boldly declared their intent to bring home the gold from the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium. For Soon Kit, who himself secured Olympic silver in 1996 and Asian Games silver in 1994, setting an ambitious target is the crucial first step to success for the independent pair.
"I see that Sze Fei and Izzuddin are playing quite well now," Soon Kit, a key figure in the 1992 Thomas Cup winning team, remarked. "The Asian Games is a very important event. It's good for them to have a high target, as that's what I always told them: 'You have to set your target high, then you will go in with the intention of winning.'"
Soon Kit even recalled his personal role in discovering Izzuddin, bringing him into the national setup from a local tournament in Johor years ago, recognizing his raw potential.
A Controversial Split: The Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik Puzzle
While Soon Kit is optimistic about Sze Fei-Izzuddin, he voiced significant surprise and concern regarding the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM)'s decision to split the established pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. This move sees Wooi Yik dropped, with Aaron Chia now paired with Tee Kai Wun.
"I was quite surprised when they announced the team without Wooi Yik, especially after their achievement of winning the world championships in 2022 and a recent silver," Soon Kit stated. The Asian Games is a prestigious stage, second only to the Olympics, making such an untested scratch pairing a high-stakes gamble.
Soon Kit emphasized that such a critical tournament isn't the place for mere experimentation. He believes any chosen pairing should have a clear, winning target, not just a 'try-it-out' mentality.
Women's Doubles Hope: Pearly-Thinaah's Path to the Podium
Beyond the men's doubles, Soon Kit also sees potential in women's doubles World No. 5 Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah. Their medal hopes, however, hinge on Pearly's full recovery from a back injury and the duo regaining their formidable confidence.
"Even though they haven't been playing well recently, if Pearly has recovered from her injury, they have a very good chance to win a medal," he asserted. "They need to believe they are among the top pairs in the world. Except for the formidable China pairs, others are not consistently dominant, opening a window for Pearly and Thinaah to shine."
