Addeen eyes first hit on podium after near misses

PETALING JAYA: Squash player Addeen Idrakie, after several near misses in international tournaments, is on a mission to achieve his first podium finish at the Asian Doubles Championships.

And it could even be a gold medal if Addeen-Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi can capitalise on the absence of top Asian pairs in the tournament which will be held in Johor Baru from July 4-7.

Addeen has never won a doubles title in the international stage.

Addeen-Ainaa lost to India’s Harinder Pal Sandhu-Dipika Pallikal in the last eight of the Asian Mixed doubles in Hanghzhou last year.

Addeen feels the group match against their compatriots Syafiq Kamal-Aira Azman in Group D will give a clear picture of their chances in Johor Baru. The other Malaysian pair in the event are Ong Sai Hung-Rachel Arnold.

“I have won medals at the Asian Games and the Asian Championships but not at an international doubles event. I believe I can end the wait with Ainaa,” said Addeen.

“Although doubles events are always open and the chance to win the gold is there, I don’t want to look too far and hoping for a podium finish.

“Syafiq-Aira are definitely one of our main rivals and playing them early will give us a chance see how good they are,” he said.

Addeen-Ainaa had also played at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham but lost to Joel Makin-Tesni Evans of Wales in the last 16.

Adden has just returned after playing at the 15k Dynam Cup where he lost to eventual champion Ryunosuke Tsukue of Japan 4-11, 11-8, 11-6, 8-11, 7-11 in the semi-finals and hadn’t had enough practice with Ainaa.

“But we have the experience of playing in a few events and it will come in handy,” said Addeen.

“I’m a little tired but since I’m the only Malaysian playing in just one event, I should cope with the workload.”

Malaysia will be looking to capture the women’s doubles crown where Aifa-Aira and Chan Yiwen-Ainaa look strong to meet each other in the final.

In the men’s doubles, Syafiq-Sai Hung and Hafiz Zhafri Abdul Harif-Duncal Lee will be battling for medals in an event without a clear favourite.