China Open victories a boost for Malaysian badminton

This is not the way we wanted to win a Super 1000 title. When Xiangyu got injured, we feel sorry for him but we had to stay focused on the game too.

In the just-concluded China Open 2024 BWF (Badminton World Federation) tournament, two Malaysian pairs were in the final. They emerged champions and runners-up in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles respectively.

For our national men’s doubles pair of Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, the China Open was their biggest title so far and their first World Tour Super 1000 title.

They had also ended a 35-year wait for a men’s doubles title on China’s soil, which was last won by the legendary Sidek brothers Jalani-Razif in 1989, when they captured their biggest career title in Changzhou last Sunday.

They also became the first Malaysians to emerge champions since Datuk Lee Chong Wei captured the men’s singles crown in 2015.

Sze Fei-Izzuddin also ended Malaysia’s two-year wait for a Super 1000 title after Lee Zii Jia last won the Asian Championships in 2022.

Our Malaysian pair defeated world No 7 homesters He Jiting and an injured Ren Xiangyu 13-21, 21-12, 21-17 in the final at the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium.

The Malaysians did not celebrate following their victory as Ren Xiangyu had hurt his lower back at the end of the first game and received treatment.

“This is not the way we wanted to win a Super 1000 title. When Xiangyu got injured, we feel sorry for him but we had to stay focused on the game too”, Sze Fei posted on his Facebook page after the match.

I watched the final live and was very happy with the great sportsmanship display by Sze Fei-Izzuddin by not celebrating after the win. They also crossed over to their opponents’ court to shake hands and whispered encouraging words to Xiangyu.

I am elated at this historic victory for the pair and I think they truly deserve the RM622,000 prize money. The sum will surely come in handy for Sze Fei-Izzuddin as they have just turned professional on Sept 1.

The many years of hard work have finally paid off for the pair as their achievements these past two months have proven that they were on the right track in their careers.

On Aug 26, Sze Fei-Izzuddin also showed that they were fast becoming a formidable pair after capturing their biggest title so far then, the Japan Open. It was their first ever World Tour Super 750 title.

The world No 12 pair were on fire as they toppled South Korea’s reigning world champions Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae 21-19, 21-15 in 45 minutes in the final in Kanagawa.

It was Sze Fei-Izzuddin’s third win in five meetings over the Korean world No 4 duo and their most important success.

Sze Fei, 27 and Izzuddin, 26, have had a career full of ups and downs and as they left the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) on Sept 1 to turn independent, we wish them all the best as they embark on a new chapter in their careers.

Their victory in a top tier tournament like the China Open is definitely a big boost for Malaysian badminton. Our players and badminton fans need such morale-boosting wins too. 

Our mixed-doubles pair of Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie who came in second place in the China Open also brought much cheers to Malaysian badminton, especially when the pair had never expected to come this far in a World Tour Super 1000 Tournament.

World No 12 Soon Huat-Shevon went down 21-16, 14-21, 17-21 to world No 3 Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping on Sunday.

Despite the defeat, Soon Huat-Shevon were proud of their efforts after not giving up until the end despite trailing 11-20 in the third game.

“It’s mixed feelings for us. For me, I’m quite satisfied with our match,” said Shevon.

“Even in the decider, we were trailing very far. One thing that we did very well is that we never gave up. We still supported each other through it all,” added Shevon.

The pair pocketed RM300,000 prize money from the China Open. 

This year, Soon Huat-Shevon have reached three finals, having previously won the Super 300 Swiss Open in March and the Super 500 Malaysian Masters in May.

Soon Huat-Shevon is also Malaysia’s first husband-and-wife pair who are married while still playing for the national team. They tied the knot four months ago in May.

This week, Malaysians should give the two doubles pairs of Sze Fei-Izzuddin and Soon Huat-Shevon a big shout-out for their exceptional performances in the China Open.

Let us remember that when our sportsmen and women achieve success on the international stage, they not only lift the spirits of a nation but also inspire future generations.

As a society, it is only appropriate that we continue to support and celebrate them, acknowledging that their success is not only their own but belongs to the entire nation. Their dedication deserves our applause, admiration and gratitude.

The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune.