PETALING JAYA: Former world No. 1 men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are aiming high at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games from Sept 19-Oct 4, with nothing less than the gold medal on their minds.
But that will not be an easy task as Malaysia have waited 20 years for another men’s doubles gold at the Asian Games since Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong last won the title at the 2006 Doha edition.
Despite the tough opposition expected in Japan, Sze Fei-Izzuddin believe they have a good chance of ending that long wait.
The pair have also been training under former world No. 4 Fairuzizuan Tazari for the past month as they prepare for the Games.
“I think we have a good chance. There will be many strong opponents at the Asian Games, but we have set a high target and definitely want the gold medal,” said Izzuddin.
The Johor-born shuttler also believes Malaysia’s overall target of six gold medals at the Games is realistic, with badminton among the sports expected to contribute.
“Every athlete will definitely give their best and I think six gold medals is a realistic target for Malaysia,” he added.
Among the players in Malaysia’s squad for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Sze Fei-Izzuddin are seen as the country’s best bet for a medal.
The other pair, Aaron Chia-Tee Kai Wun, have had limited time together on the international circuit, although they did combine at the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens in April, beating Japan’s Kakeru Kumagai-Hiroki Nishi in the group stage.
For Sze Fei-Izzuddin, the Games will also mark a long-awaited debut after they missed out on the Hangzhou 2022 edition, giving them even more reason to make this opportunity count.
Their preparations have also received a boost with both players fully recovered after returning from the China Masters.
Izzuddin had been down with fever in Shenzhen, which forced the pair to retire in the second game of their opening-round match against Indonesia’s world No. 30 Ali Faathir Rayhan-Devin Wahyudi.
“So far, both of us are in good condition after coming back from the China Masters,” said Sze Fei.
