National Schools Under-14 champion Muhammad Fazriq Mohamad Razif is chasing a double in the on-going 100PLUS National Badminton Circuit Finals in Seremban despite recovering from his hamstring injury.
Son of former Thomas Cupper and Olympian Datuk Razif Sidek the 14-year-old representing Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) cleared his second round hurdles, both. in the singles and doubles on Thursday.
His performance left him pleased as he had trained only for two weeks because of the hamstring injury and is confident he and his doubles partner Justin Hoh Shou Wei can go all the way in Seremban.
“It will not be a stroll in the park, however, because those competing in the 100PLUS Finals are all talented and up and coming players,” said Fazriq after winning his second Group G match against Sabah’s Carlester Cleve James on Thursday.
In his first match, he defeated Shyu Hao Zhe of Johor 21-5, 21-7. Fazriq takes on Penang’s Lee Jian in his final group match on Friday with the winner advancing to the knockout stage.
In the Boys’ Under-14 double Fazriq and Justin gave a polished display to gun down Gary Ong Teng Zhe-Henry Ong Teng En (Perlis) 21-9, 21-10 in 19 minutes for their second win in Group B.
On Friday the favorites will face Lee Zheng Bo-Shyu Hao Zhe of Johor, who are also unbeaten in the group in a top of the group clash.
Fazriq who the MSSM Under-14 title in Port Dickson in March, defeating his doubles partner Justin in the final 21-13, 21-18. They later teamed up for the doubles title with a 19-21, 21-19, 21-17 win over Penang’s Ong Zhen Yi-Ooi Yi Hern in the final.
Incidentally, Zhen Yi was Fazriq’s doubles partner when they won the first international title and this was in the Badminton Asia Under-17 and Under-15 Junior Championships held in Yangon, Myanmar in October last year.
In April this year, Fazriq and Justin clinched the silver medal in the Pembangunan Jaya Raya Junior Grand Prix 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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