National women’s doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah celebrate after beating Thailand's Pichamon Phatcharaphisutsin-Nannapas Sukklad in the second round match of Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Thursday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky believes that the shuttlers and coaches need to have the same goals if they hope to succeed in the World Championships.
With the world meet coming up from Aug 25-31 in Paris, Rexy faces a pivotal task to make sure the players are at their best mentally and physically to fight for glory.
The Indonesian though stressed that it's not enough for the coaches to want to succeed but players also must aim high in the prestigious meet.
"Coaches are not the only ones who must want to succeed. Players must also want the same," said Rexy.
"There's no point if only the coaches set certain targets but players don't have the same focus or desire.
"Players need to know what they want to achieve too and work towards it. The right mindset is very important."
Malaysia's best chance for medals in Paris will be in the men's doubles through world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, world No. 3 independent pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi (No. 22).
In the past three editions, only the men's doubles have contributed medals for Malaysia.
Aaron-Wooi Yik remain the only shuttlers to have captured the title when they triumphed in the 2022 edition in Tokyo.
The pair also won bronze in 2023 in Copenhagen while Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi claimed bronze as well in 2021 in Huelva, Spain.
This time, hopes are also on world No. 2 women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah to win what will be a historic medal after a breakthrough year so far.
Pearly-Thinaah captured the Thailand Open and finished runners-up in the Japan Open, Indonesian Open and Masters and will be out to end the country's wait for a medal in the women's doubles in the world meet.
Rexy feels that his charges' preparations will be key to their hopes of glory.
"In badminton, sometimes we have a short time to prepare for tournaments, other times, there will be longer time," said Rexy.
"So, coaches need to figure out ways to get the players in the best possible shape for this competition."
