Fairuzizuan hopes to make grade for 2012 Olympics

KUALA LUMPUR: A cooling-off period has reignited the fire in doubles shuttler Mohd Fairuzizuan Tazari (pic) to come good at the tailend of his badminton career.

The 27-year-old has been given a new lease life of to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics with new partner Ong Soon Hock.

It is a challenging task but for a start, he wishes to rebuild his confidence again with a creditable show at the back-to-back Super Series in Denmark Open (Oct 26-31) and France Open (Nov 2-7).

Fairuzizuan’s career almost came to an end after an ugly incident at the Thomas Cup Finals in May. He lost his cool when taunted by a fan following an insipid performance in the group tie against Japan.

He was slapped with a one-month suspension and three months later, his three-year partnership with Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif was terminated.

Fairuzizuan said that he had come out of the painful episode as a stronger person.

“I made a big mistake on that day and I regretted it. I used to get worked up about it but now, it is all in the past. It is only human to make mistakes. I have learnt my lesson and have mellowed down,” he said.

With the past behind him, Fairuzizuan has vowed to take his game with Soon Hock to greater heights.

“The coaches have a plan for Soon Hock and I. They have given us a chance to qualify for the London Olympics,” he said.

“We have a year to make a climb up the world rankings. It will not be easy making the top 24 in a year but we will give our best shots.

“This, however, will be my last journey as a double player. I do not intend to play with anyone else after this. If Soon Hock and I don’t make it, I will bid farewell to a badminton career.”

The first international tournament for Fairuzizuan-Soon Hock as a pair was in the China Open in September and they were beaten in the opening round. In their next tournament at the Vietnam Open, they emerged as the runners-up.

“We hope to upset one or two big names in the Denmark and France. It will do a world of good to our morale,” said Fairuzizuan.