Shuttlers hit pay dirt in Singapore International Series

Goh Sze Fei (front) and Izzuddin in action during a local tournament.

KUALA LUMPUR: Cheah Soon Kit seems to have an eye for talent.

Just nine months into his job as Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) men’s doubles back-up coach, he has already produced champions in Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Mohd Rumsani.

The duo pulled off an upset by beating fourth seeds Danny Bawa Chrisnanta-Hendra Wijaya of Singapore 21-13, 21-14 to lift the men’s doubles title at the Singapore International Series on Saturday.

It was their first win in their fourth international satellite tournament this year.

It was a double celebration for Malaysia when R. Satheishtharan defeated ninth seed Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong 21-19, 19-21, 21-13 in the men’s singles final.

World junior runner-up and second seed Lee Ying Ying also reached the women’s singles final, but she went down 21-19, 21-12 to Asty Dwi Widyaningrum of Indonesia.

The 47-year-old Soon Kit was pleased to have found one successful combination.

“It’s a great start for Sze Fei-Izzuddin. They have the dedication and hunger for success. They must continue to work hard ... this is only the first step,” said Soon Kit.

“I hope to find two or three more strong combinations. I have nine players under me right now.”

Besides Sze Fei and Izzuddin, the others are Tan Wee Gieen, Tan Chee Tean, Soh Wooi Yik, Wong Wai Jun, Aaron Chia, Ameer Iskandar Zainuddin and Ooi Zi Heng.

Soon Kit also had a previous coaching stint with BAM. When he was the national women’s doubles coach from 2001-2007, he groomed Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui into the country’s top pair.

RESULTS

(All finals)

Men’s singles: R. Satheishtharan (Mas) bt Lee Cheuk Yiu (Hkg) 21-19, 19-21, 21-13.

Men’s doubles: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Mohd Rumsani (Mas) bt Danny Bawa Chrisnanta-Hendra Wijaya (Sin) 21-13, 21-14.

Women’s singles: Asty Dwi Widyaningrum (Ina) bt Lee Ying Ying (Mas) 21-19, 21-12.

Women’s doubles: Suci Rizki Andini-Yulfira Barkah (Ina) bt Mychelle Crhystine Bandaso-Serena Kani (Ina) 21-14, 21-12.

Mixed doubles: Yantoni Edy Saputra-Marsheilla Gischa Islami (Ina) bt Danny Bawa Chrisnanta-Citra Dewi Sari (Sin) 21-9, 21-18.