Doubles legend Razif’s son Fazriq lands two MSSM titles

PETALING JAYA: Aspiring shuttler Muhd Fazriq Razif (pic) keeps getting better and better.

Fazriq showed that he has picked up the badminton genes from his father and former doubles legend Datuk Razif

Sidek when he pulled off another first by sweeping the boys’ Under-15 singles and doubles titles at the National Schools

(MSSM) badminton competition in Port Dickson yesterday.

The 14- year- old Fazriq defeated teammate Justin Hoh

21-13, 21-18 in an all-Kuala Lumpur boys’ singles final.

Later, he teamed up with Justin to pull off a hard-fought 19-21, 21-19, 21-17 win over Ong Zhen Yi-Ooi Yi Hern of Penang in the boys’ doubles.

It’s the first time that Fazriq has won both the singles and doubles titles in a national tournament.

“It’s a special moment to win two titles for the first time. This doubles has eluded me since I started playing badminton competitively,” said Fazriq.

He started his career by winning the MSSM Under-12 boys’ doubles title with Justin Hoh when he was 11.

Fazriq went on to win the Under-14 singles crown at the National Junior Circuit Grand Prix Finals in Kuala Terengganu last year.

He also bagged his first international title when he emerged as the boys’ Under-15 doubles champion with Zhen Yi at the Badminton Asia Under-17 and Under-15 Junior tournament in Yangon, Myanmar.

“At this stage, I’m still enjoying both the singles and doubles.

“I see it as a challenge as I have to change and switch my game plan and mind-set depending on which event I play.

“Competing in both is physically tiring but it sure helps to raise the level of my game.

“I hope to be consistent and impress the selectors to represent Malaysia in the Asian and world junior tournaments in the next two years,” added the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) Form 3 student.

Like Fazriq, four others – Kedah’s Jacky Kok Jing Hong, Melaka’s Yeow Chun Cher, Johor’s Myisha Mohd Khairul and Dania Sofea Zaidi also bagged two titles each yesterday.