Possibility of Tze Yong pulling out of Thomas Cup a headache for coach

PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong’s possible absence from the Thomas Cup Finals from April 27-May 5 could be a huge blow to the team’s chances. Tze Yong, who is the country’s No. 2 and is currently ranked No. 18 in the world, has been selected along with Lee Zii Jia, Leong Jun Hao,...

Rexy: Zii Jia’s decision to train on his own is understandable

PETALING JAYA: Independent men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia’s (pic) decision not to join centralised training with the national team for the Thomas Cup Finals from April 27-May 5 in Chengdu is not ideal for the team’s preparations but national coaching director Rexy Mainaky is staying positive. Team LZJ released a statement yesterday confirming that the...

Antonsen shaping up well for Chengdu with golden Euro outing

PETALING JAYA: Danish shuttler Anders Antonsen warmed up for the Thomas Cup Finals from April 27-May 5 in Chengdu in style by capturing gold in the European Championships. World No. 4 Antonsen was in smashing form as he beat in form Frenchman Toma Popov 21-18, 21-13 in the final in Saarbrucken, Germany on Sunday. The victory ensured...

Former ace Boon Heong says M’sia have realistic chance in Thomas Cup, unity the key

PETALING JAYA: Former national shuttler Tan Boon Heong believes Malaysia’s strength in the doubles should give the team confidence going into the Thomas Cup Finals from April 27-May 5 in Chengdu. Doubles pairs Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who were both chosen for the prestigious team meet, have shown impressive form...

Zii Jia heads Thomas Cup squad, Haikal surprise inclusion

PETALING JAYA: Professional singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia will get a compensation to play for Malaysia in the Thomas Cup Finals. Zii Jia is one of the five men's singles named for the Finals by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) on Friday. The others for the Finals from April 27-May 5 in Chengdu, China are...

Badminton: Arif-Roy King fly high in Spain

PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles pair Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King continued their march in the Spain Masters badminton tournament as they advanced to the final in Madrid on Saturday (April 6). The unseeded pair, who did not compete in tournaments for the last three months due to a knee injury to Roy King, defeated Christo...

Thinaah to graduate with teaching degree

EXCELLENCE in sports and extracurricular activities is important but so is academic success for a good career growth, says shuttler Thinaah Muralitharan. The 26-year-old, who will be making her maiden appearance in the Olympics in Paris in July alongside her partner Pearly Tan, has been interested in sports from a young age. Despite her jam-packed training...

Rexy may opt for five singles shuttlers for Thomas Cup Finals

PETALING JAYA: National coaching director Rexy Mainaky could select five singles shuttlers for the Thomas Cup Finals from April 27-May 5 in Chengdu to ensure there will be no repeat of the crisis in the Asia Team Championships. In the Asia team meet in Shah Alam in February, Rexy was forced to name doubles player Mohd...

Another stern test awaits Soon Huat-Shevon at Asian Championships after hiccup in Spain

PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttlers Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, fresh off their Swiss Open victory last week, will have to brace for a fiery reception at the Asian Championships from April 9-14 in Ningbo, China, as they will take on world No. 5 pair Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin of China. World No. 13 Soon Huat-Shevon have...

Swiss Open always a sweet outing for Soon Huat-Shevon

PETALING JAYA: The Swiss Open continues to be a happy hunting ground for mixed doubles shuttlers Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie. World No. 14 Soon Huat-Shevon reached their third consecutive final in the tournament after beating world No. 15 Dutch pair Robin Tabeling-Selena Piek 21-18, 21-16 in Basel on Saturday to set up an all-Malaysian title...