PETALING JAYA: Doubles shuttler Nur Izzuddin Rumsani admits that he had struggled with self-doubt in the past.
But the fast attacking player from Johor showed that it was no longer an issue as he and partner Goh Sze Fei smashed their way to finishing second in the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China.
It was the world No. 19’s biggest tournament final before narrowly losing to home favourites and world No. 3 Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang on Sunday.
The pair had to overcome tough hurdles not just in the tournament but also during their partnership.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin captured the Super 300 German Open and reached a career high No. 9 in the world in 2022 but struggled to maintain their form and decided to split up in February last year due to a lack of trust.
They reunited in June with the goal of trying to qualify for the Paris Olympics but found the going tough in higher tier tournaments and missed the cut for the showpiece event as a result.
Izzuddin was happy that he and Sze Fei managed to raise their game in the Asian meet and believes that there is more to come from them.
“Amidst the noise of self-doubt, I found the strength to rise and compete,” said Izzuddin on social media.
“Overcoming our own limitations, we navigated the challenges to claim a second place, a victory beyond our wildest dreams. I’m humbled by the realisation that regardless of the hurdles, our destined path will always find a way.”In the Asian meet, the pair were not even expected to get past the first round against South Korea’s reigning world champions Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae but defied expectations to pull off a stunning win.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin then continued their giant-killing run by toppling Taiwan’s Olympic gold medallists Lee Yang-Wang Chi-lin and world No. 5 teammates Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik en route to the final.The duo’s next assignment will be the Thomas Cup Finals from April 27-May 5 in Chengdu.
