Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are setting their sights firmly on Asian Games gold as Malaysia looks to end an 18-year wait for the men’s doubles title.
The world No. 6 pair will head to Aichi-Nagoya with confidence after enjoying an impressive season that has already delivered two major titles.
Izzuddin made Malaysia’s ambition clear during a recent visit by deputy chef de mission Azlan Iskandar to the Academy Badminton Malaysia.
“I feel we have a good chance although there will be many strong opponents at the Asian Games, but we are targeting high. Surely going for gold,” Izzuddin said.
The Malaysians have plenty of reasons to believe they can challenge for the top prize. They won the Super 1000 Indonesia Open and Super 500 Indonesia Masters earlier this year, establishing themselves as one of the most consistent pairs on the international circuit.
Their Indonesia Open triumph was particularly significant as they defeated South Korea’s world No. 1 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae in the final in June.
Sze Fei and Izzuddin also reached the quarter-finals of the World Championships, further underlining their ability to compete against the leading pairs.
There had been some concern over Izzuddin’s fitness after the pair withdrew from their China Masters match, but Sze Fei said both players are now in good condition.
“So far, our condition is all good after coming back from the China Masters,” he said.
The challenge in Aichi-Nagoya, however, will be considerable.
India’s defending champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty, currently ranked No. 5, are among the leading contenders after recently winning the China Masters.
Newly crowned world champions Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang of China, ranked No. 3, will also be in the field, while Indonesia’s world No. 2 Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri add another major threat.
Malaysia will also have a second men’s doubles combination in Aaron Chia and Tee Kai Wun, giving the country two pairs capable of challenging for honours.
For Sze Fei and Izzuddin, the tournament is about more than simply adding another title to their growing collection. They are also part of Malaysia’s wider target of winning six gold medals at the Asian Games.
Izzuddin believes the national target is achievable if the Malaysian contingent can perform at its best.
“Every athlete will give their best, and I believe the six-gold target is realistic for the Malaysian athletes,” he said.
Malaysia’s last Asian Games men’s doubles gold came in 2006, when Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong triumphed.
Nearly two decades later, Sze Fei and Izzuddin have the opportunity to end that wait. With their recent form, growing experience and belief that they can beat the world’s best, the Malaysian pair will enter Aichi-Nagoya with nothing less than gold in their sights.
