A super fit Muhammad Huzairi Abdul Malek dished out some stunning performances in the quarter-finals and the semi-finals to reach his first ever final in the men’s singles (SL3) – impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor walking/running balance – in the 9th Asean Para Games badminton competition at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Thursday.
The 27-year-old from Kajang, a full time para athlete, will play Indonesia’s Ukun Rukaendi in the final on Friday – and is one step away from making his dream come true – to win his first gold medal in his fourth Para Games and also to bring his parents Abdul Malek Md Isa and Maimon Md Din for Umrah (minor haj).
“I am motivated to win the gold after managing only the bronze in my past three Para Games, More importantly I have promised my parents to bring my parents to perform Umrah if I win the gold,” said Huziari after his semi-final match.
In the quarter-finals Huzairi defeated former world and Asian champion Pham Duc Trung of Vietnam – who is also a three-time Asean Para Games champion – 27-29, 21-15, 11-0 in 69 minutes.
Hours later Huzairi was back on court for the semi-final match against Indonesian veteran Maman Nurjaman and walked away with a 21-14, 14-21, 21-11 win 42 minutes.
For the final, Huzairi admitted that he needs to control his tendency to give away soft points in his eagerness to win the match.
“It happened in my matches in the quarter-finals and the semi-finals. I cannot afford to the same in the final if I want to win the gold…but I am much wiser after my coach pointed out my weaknesses.”
Coach Moe Chin Kiat is full of praise for Huzairi’s discipline in training and on court.
“He (Huzairi) is willing listener who takes orders and is very disciplined. He never grumbles no matter how tough the training is,” said Chin Kiat.
