KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s men’s doubles duo, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin Rumsani, stole the show at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium in China by defeating the reigning 2023 world champions, Seo Seung-jae and Kang Min-hyuk, in the opening round of the Badminton Asia Championships earlier today.
Despite previous unsuccessful attempts against the South Korean pair, who entered the tournament as the second seeds, Sze Fei and Izzudin displayed unwavering determination to counter every onslaught from Seung-jae and Min-hyuk.
After a gruelling 44-minute battle, victory finally favoured Sze Fei and Izzudin with a scoreline of 21-13, 21-18, securing them a spot in the second round, where they will face the formidable Chinese duo, He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu, tomorrow.
Also shining brightly were Malaysia’s emerging talents, Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, who cruised to a comfortable victory over China’s Chen Boyang and Yi Liu with a convincing score of 21-15, 21-12.
Wei Chong and Kai Wun will next challenge the 14th-ranked pair from Chinese Taipei, Yang Po Hsuan and Lee Jhe Huei.
Meanwhile, the tournament’s fourth-seeded pair, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, advanced to the second round after defeating India’s Hariharan Amsakarunan and Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi with a solid score of 21-15, 21-14.
They are set to face Japan’s Hiroki Okamura and Kenya Mitsuhashi in tomorrow’s match. – April 10, 2024