Huzairi: Enough of bronze medals, I want gold!

PETALING JAYA: National para shuttler Muhd Huzairi Abdul Malek did not need a second invitation when the National Sports Council (NSC) approached him to join the Kita Juara programme for the Asean Para Games in 2015.

The 27-year-old knew that full-time training was the only way to fulfil his potential in badminton.

So, Huzairi quit his job as a clerk and became a full-time national athlete.

And Huzairi, who suffers from cerebral palsy, hopes to reap the rewards of his hard work over the past two years when he makes his fourth straight Para Games appearance in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 17-23.

Huzairi has yet to win gold in his last three appearances.

He won four bronze medals – two each from the 2011 and 2015 Games – in the SL3 singles (impairment in one or both lower limbs) and SL3/4 doubles (similar to SL3 but better walking/running).

“It’s my fourth appearance and I’ve had enough of bronze medals,” said Huzairi.

“I’m going for gold this time. I’m a better player now than I was two years ago.

“I’m certainly better prepared this time, having trained full time for two years.

“Previously, I had to juggle between work and training.

“I have not only improved physically, but also mentally.”

Huzairi is ranked No. 8 in world in his cate- gory. He did well in his two international outings this year – finishing runner-up at the Spanish Open in March and reaching the semi-finals of the Thailand Open in June.

Huzairi hopes to carry that momentum into the KL Para Games, where he’s expected to face nemesis and defending champion Ukun Rukaendi of Indonesia.

“I lost to Ukun in three semi-finals (twice in singles and once in doubles) in the last two editions and settled for bronze,” said Huzairi.

“He has denied me on so many occasions. I really hope to get the better of him this time, with the home crowd behind me.”

Huzairi is expected to partner Bakri Omar in doubles.