Players focus on physical training to tackle ‘slow shuttle’ setback

KUALA LUMPUR: Slow-speed shuttles are set to become a setback to Malaysian men’s shuttlers’ hopes at the World Championships in Guangzhou from Aug 5-11.

Yesterday, national doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her said that efforts have been made to ensure that men’s doubles players will be ready to deal with the slow shuttle – by improving their physical condition.

Kim Her said that strong and powerful players from China relished playing with a slow shuttle and as the hosts, they may just use it during the world meet.

“There are effects of playing with a slow shuttle. The simple task of hitting the shuttle to the back becomes more difficult. Only the strong, powerful and consistently good players can do it frequently,” said Kim Her.

“Most of the men’s doubles players from China bank on their power and speed and they can last the pace under this playing condition. In fact, players from South Korea and Japan also enjoy slow-shuttle play as it suits their game.

Kim Her, however, said that slow shuttles do not suit Malaysians.

The Malaysian pairs for the world meet from the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) stable are Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem and Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong.

The other qualifiers are Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari from professional outfit KLRC.

“I would group Malaysia and Indonesia as the more skilful players. Our players have the flair for the game but lack the physical fitness. They will run out of steam after the opening game when they play under this condition,” said Kim Her.

“For the last three weeks, we have been pushing the players in physical training. We know this is their area of weakness and we are trying our best to improve their power and speed. The momentum of the physical training, however, will slow down next week and we will then focus on court training.”

For the record, during the world meet, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) will use shuttles with three different speeds. The players will be given all these three shuttles during their official training sessions in Guangzhou.

Malaysia’s best result in men’s doubles at the World Championships was when Kien Keat-Boon Heong reached the final before going down to Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng at the 2010 series in Paris.