13/07/2025

theSun on Sunday JULY 13, 2025

SPORTS 15

Rexy lays down the gauntlet

He said that regardless of their opponents, players should be physically and mentally prepared, as the competition is now more intense. “Nowadays, it’s not just BAM players — there are also professional players. “So, early-round matchups between Malaysians at big tournaments like this are inevitable. “It’s not an excuse but rather a challenge that must be faced with the right mindset,” he said. One of the Malaysia vs Malaysia clashes will feature professional pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi taking on Aaron-Wooi Yik. – Bernama

DOUBLES coaching director Rexy Mainaky (pic) has challenged national players to give their best at next week’s Japan Open to build their confidence for the World Championships 2025 to be held in August. He said the Japan Open, a Super 750 event, has attracted the world’s elite players and would be a good venue for players to gauge their preparedness for the world meet. “We can see that so far, no top-level players have withdrawn from the tournament. “People say this is a kind of benchmark for every country before the World Championships,” he said. Rexy said that judging from Aaron Chia Soh Wooi Yik’s recent form, the pair

challenged his charges to win a title either at the Japan Open or the China Open. Commenting on the Japan Open draw, Rexy said it is inevitable that sometimes Malaysians could be pitted against another pair or player from their own country in the opening round.

should do well in Japan. “But we can say everyone is targeting them now. “If they can maintain their momentum, they can get good results,” he told reporters at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara on Friday. Among the players set to compete at the Japan Open are Badminton Association of Malaysia’s top men’s pairs Aaron-Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, as well as the country’s top women’s pair, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah. Earlier, national men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi had

Sprinter Muhammad Azeem targets podium at World University Games Three-step plan

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12/07/2025

NATIONAL 100m sprint ace Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi has worked out a three step plan to make Malaysia proud at the World University Games (WUG) 2025, which will be held at the Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, from July 16 27.

motivate me to give my all… this is the first time I have been given the mandate to be the flagbearer at a championships, which is also a very good starting point in my career,” he said. The 64-athlete Malaysian contingent, comprising 39 men and 25 women, are eyeing seven medals when they compete in six of the 19 sports at the WUG 2025. The six sports are artistic gymnastics, badminton, archery, athletics, swimming and taekwondo. At the 2023 edition in Chengdu, China, Malaysia produced their best achievement by bagging one gold, one silver and five bronze medals. The contingent’s chef de mission, Datuk Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Hafiz Yusoff said the realistic target was based on the current performance of athletes and will match the achievement in China. “We made an analysis and also ran scenarios, especially involving events we have this year, there are some events that aren’t contested this year which had contributed many medals in the 2023 Games. – Bernama

the WUG is surely to do my best. “My season’s best is 10.20s, my target is always to better that, qualify for the final, and win a medal for Malaysia,” said the Auburn University student. Muhammad Azeem, who holds the national 100m record of 10.09s, told reporters this at a ceremony to hand over the Jalur Gemilang to the WUG 2025 contingent in Putrajaya on Friday. In Germany, the sprinter, who hails from Teluk Intan, Perak, will also compete in the men’s 200m and 4x100m relay, which will also comprise Aliff Iman Mohd Fahimi, Mohamad Raimi Mustaffa Kamal, Mohammad Thaqif Mohammad Hisham and Pengirin Aidil Auf Hajam. “My preparations are going well, and I don’t have any high expectations. “I just want to focus on the race and give it my best,” said the 21-year-old, who won a bronze medal in the 100m event at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. Meanwhile, he described his selection as the country’s flagbearer at the WUG 2025 as a huge honour. “This will boost my spirit and

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So, what’s the plan? It’s as easy as 1: obliterate his season’s best mark of 10.20s; 2: qualify for the final; and 3: win a medal. Of course, that’s easier said than done, no thanks to the presence of some of the world’s best

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sprinters. “This (WUG) is also a world-class event, it will be a tough fight… Puripol (Boonson) of Thailand and many others, whom I had raced against at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships in the US, will also be there (in Germany). “So, my mentality heading to my maiden appearance in

Muhammad Azeem. – BERNAMAPIC

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15 29

Yeoh wants Pearly, Thinaah to stay sharp

“They deserve to ask, and I never blame people who want to ask for more because I think that’s expected; it just needs negotiation and explanation. “And again, the other thing that is important in my view is if they do better, then we should be ready to reward the players. “So at least then there’s an incentive. Otherwise, there’s no incentive to do better. Of course, for the country is one thing, but to be fair, you know, it will also help,” he added. Meanwhile, Thinaah expressed her gratitude to Tengku Zafrul for his continuous support for both of them. “It’s not either party’s fault to prolong the whole contract; it’s just because our tournaments were already back-to-back and all, but we are really relieved that everything has come to an agreement, and yeah, we are now just looking forward,” she said. – Bernama

Yeoh said the two shuttlers no longer need to worry about their future now that they will receive full support from BAM, including facilities and coaching services. “Pearly and Thinaah are also in the Road to Gold programme. I believe that with the firm backing given to them, they will be able to succeed in the upcoming championships,” she added. Speculations about the shuttlers’ future were finally answered on Thursday (July 10) when the world No. 3 Pearly-Thinaah decided to remain with BAM, thus ensuring they will stay with the governing body until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Tengku Zafrul declined to comment on media reports claiming that Pearly and Thinaah would receive a payment package of RM1 million per person annually following their new contract but stated that players who perform exceptionally well should be appropriately rewarded.

“STAY fully focused on your game, girls”, that’s the advice Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has for women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah now that they have signed a new contract with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) Expressing relief that the contract of the two shuttlers had been finalised, Yeoh also conveyed appreciation to BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz for his commitment and efforts in ensuring the welfare of the players is guaranteed. “I hope that, from today, Pearly and Thinaah will fully focus on training and competition,” she told reporters after officiating the launch of the Asean Youth Volunteer Forum 2025 at Auditorium Sasana Kijang, Bank Negara Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Also present were Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Nagulendran and Youth and Sports Department director-general Azura Abidin.

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