ixory
05-14-2007, 07:34 PM
BADMINTON INDONESIAN OPEN REVIEW : Zakry glad he heeded Rexy’s advice
By : K.M. Boopathy (boopathy@nst.com.my)
The star Online (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Sport/20070515081835/Article/index_html)
(http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Sport/20070515081835/Article/pppull_index_html)
"I realise now why our coach Rexy (Mainaky) has been harsh on me all this while."
This was the confession of Zakry Latif who agreed that Rexy's tough regime on him throughout the year has actually turned around his career which was once heading for a freefall.
It was Rexy who decided split Zakry and Gan Teik Chai and combine the former with another struggling palyer Fairuzizuan Tazari, who was partnering Lin Woon Fui then, and the duo had been a revelation in their first three tournaments.
Zakry-Fairuzizuan reached the semi-finals of their first tournament - the Asian Badminton Championships in Johor Baru last month - and made the quarter-finals after beating established compatriots Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in the Singapore Open.
They proved it was no fluke when they downed former World No 1 Jens Eriksen-Martin Lundagaard Hansen of Denmark, former Olympic champions Candra Wijaya of Indonesia and Tony Gunawan of the United States before falling to world champions Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun in the final of the Indonesia Open.
However, all this would not have materialised had Rexy did not hold a tight reign on Zakry whose constantly loses focus because of because the regular phone calls and meeting with friends.
So impressed ws Rexy that he has already confirmed Zakry-Fairuzizuan as Malaysia's wild cards for the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 13-19. Chan Chong Ming-Hoon Thien How were the other pair in contention for the slot.
"Rexy was always hard on me and first I did not understand why. Now I know it was actually concern and he wanted me to achieve my potential," said Zakry yesterday.
"Since combining with Fairuz, I have changed my attitude and have been focusing on training more. I have to sacrifice all the dinner and supper breaks with friends.
"Now that I've seen what my real ability is, I don't want to disapoint myself and Rexy as well. I cannot afford to be inconsistent anymore.
"I never thought we will get the chance to play in the World Championships and we don't want to waste the golden opportunity."
Rexy, when contacted in Jakarta on Sunday, said that Zakry and Fairuzizuan has shown so much of improvement as it is good for the entire doubles team.
Rexy added that Kien Keat-Boon Heong were under so much pressure as they were seen the only Malaysian pair to challenge and beat the best but now he has Zakry-Fairuzizuan and veterans Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah who has reached the Indonesia and Singapore Open finals respectively.
"I'm very proud Zakry-Fairuzizuan's performance. It is only their third tournament and to reach the final in such a difficult event is brilliant," said Rexy.
"They could have done better if they had the experience but they have shown the fighting qualities. They need to be consistent and start aiming to become champions and that's what I want to see.
"This will actually take the pressure away from Kien Keat-Boon Heong and we have more pairs who can shoulder the burden.
"I have been very strict with Zakry because I don't want his talents to be wasted. I will remain the same as I don't Zakry-Fairuz to become arrogant and lose their way. It will be the same treatment for all pairs."
It has been a productive year for the men's doubles squad as Malaysia made the final in six out of the eight international tournaments and winning four so far.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong clinched the All England as well as the Malaysia and Swiss Opens while Tan Fook-Wan Wah toon the Asian Badminton Championships crown.
Korea and German Opens were the only events which didn't have a Malaysian pair in final.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong managed to reach the semi-finals in Jakarta but Rexy said the sparkle is still missing from Kien Keat's performance but optimistic of bringing them back to to the top again.
The duo were in Batam yesterday for a friendly match against Indonesia but Rexy would be utilising the event to give pep talks and iron the players' problems.
However, the good showing of Zakry-Fairuzizuan will be a blessing in disguise for Kien Keat-Boon Heong as they can now compete in tournament knowing that they have another world class pair who shoulder the burden.
By : K.M. Boopathy (boopathy@nst.com.my)
The star Online (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Sport/20070515081835/Article/index_html)
(http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Sport/20070515081835/Article/pppull_index_html)
"I realise now why our coach Rexy (Mainaky) has been harsh on me all this while."
This was the confession of Zakry Latif who agreed that Rexy's tough regime on him throughout the year has actually turned around his career which was once heading for a freefall.
It was Rexy who decided split Zakry and Gan Teik Chai and combine the former with another struggling palyer Fairuzizuan Tazari, who was partnering Lin Woon Fui then, and the duo had been a revelation in their first three tournaments.
Zakry-Fairuzizuan reached the semi-finals of their first tournament - the Asian Badminton Championships in Johor Baru last month - and made the quarter-finals after beating established compatriots Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in the Singapore Open.
They proved it was no fluke when they downed former World No 1 Jens Eriksen-Martin Lundagaard Hansen of Denmark, former Olympic champions Candra Wijaya of Indonesia and Tony Gunawan of the United States before falling to world champions Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun in the final of the Indonesia Open.
However, all this would not have materialised had Rexy did not hold a tight reign on Zakry whose constantly loses focus because of because the regular phone calls and meeting with friends.
So impressed ws Rexy that he has already confirmed Zakry-Fairuzizuan as Malaysia's wild cards for the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 13-19. Chan Chong Ming-Hoon Thien How were the other pair in contention for the slot.
"Rexy was always hard on me and first I did not understand why. Now I know it was actually concern and he wanted me to achieve my potential," said Zakry yesterday.
"Since combining with Fairuz, I have changed my attitude and have been focusing on training more. I have to sacrifice all the dinner and supper breaks with friends.
"Now that I've seen what my real ability is, I don't want to disapoint myself and Rexy as well. I cannot afford to be inconsistent anymore.
"I never thought we will get the chance to play in the World Championships and we don't want to waste the golden opportunity."
Rexy, when contacted in Jakarta on Sunday, said that Zakry and Fairuzizuan has shown so much of improvement as it is good for the entire doubles team.
Rexy added that Kien Keat-Boon Heong were under so much pressure as they were seen the only Malaysian pair to challenge and beat the best but now he has Zakry-Fairuzizuan and veterans Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah who has reached the Indonesia and Singapore Open finals respectively.
"I'm very proud Zakry-Fairuzizuan's performance. It is only their third tournament and to reach the final in such a difficult event is brilliant," said Rexy.
"They could have done better if they had the experience but they have shown the fighting qualities. They need to be consistent and start aiming to become champions and that's what I want to see.
"This will actually take the pressure away from Kien Keat-Boon Heong and we have more pairs who can shoulder the burden.
"I have been very strict with Zakry because I don't want his talents to be wasted. I will remain the same as I don't Zakry-Fairuz to become arrogant and lose their way. It will be the same treatment for all pairs."
It has been a productive year for the men's doubles squad as Malaysia made the final in six out of the eight international tournaments and winning four so far.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong clinched the All England as well as the Malaysia and Swiss Opens while Tan Fook-Wan Wah toon the Asian Badminton Championships crown.
Korea and German Opens were the only events which didn't have a Malaysian pair in final.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong managed to reach the semi-finals in Jakarta but Rexy said the sparkle is still missing from Kien Keat's performance but optimistic of bringing them back to to the top again.
The duo were in Batam yesterday for a friendly match against Indonesia but Rexy would be utilising the event to give pep talks and iron the players' problems.
However, the good showing of Zakry-Fairuzizuan will be a blessing in disguise for Kien Keat-Boon Heong as they can now compete in tournament knowing that they have another world class pair who shoulder the burden.