Rexy wishes to end long wait for another men’s doubles title

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia last won the men’s doubles title in the All-England when Rexy Mainaky was around. Can he weave his magic once again?

The prestigious All-England starts today in Birmingham.

Under Rexy, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong enjoyed a bumper year in 2007 when they were unbeaten for almost seven months and one of their famous wins that year was the All-England title.

It was Malaysia’s first doubles title in 25 years after the success of Razif Sidek-Jalani Sidek in 1982.

National doubles coaching director Rexy hopes he can lead the team to end another long wait – 15 years to be precise.

No one has won the title since Kien Keat-Boon Heong’s feat but Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik came close in 2019 before losing in the final.

“I will try my best to lead the boys to bring home the trophy,” said Rexy, who works together with coach Flandi Limpele.

The hopes are on Aaron-Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to deliver the goods.

Both pairs are talented but they are not in the best form. Wooi Yik has just been cleared to play after testing positive for Covid-19 while Izzuddin had to deal with muscle spasm on his right calf after winning the German Open with Sze Fei on Sunday.

“Izzuddin’s leg is okay but we will try with his movements on the court again. It’s muscle strain on his hamstring and calf. Aaron and Wooi Yik have arrived in Birmingham and are ready,” he said.

Rexy himself has won the All-England twice with Ricky Subagja. They defeated teammates Denny Kartono-Antonius Ariantha in 1995 and broke the hearts of Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock in 1996.

“The environment during my playing days and now is so different. There was no social media then, so only people in the badminton family knows about the defeat or victory... now everyone knows about everything so fast, the presence of social media is so strong,” said Rexy.

“Also, the generation of players now is stronger and faster compared to our days.”