Reaping the rewards
Satheishtharan’s game has improved under coach Indra
SIBU: Men’s singles shuttler R. Satheishtharan is beginning to reap the reward of an 11-month training under Indonesian coach Indra Wijaya.
Yesterday, the back-up shuttler defeated seasoned campaigner Alamsyah Yunus of Indonesia 21-12, 21-17 to march into the second round of the second-tier Malaysian Masters at the Sibu Indoor Stadium.
The world No. 170 will take on Anthony Ginting of Indonesia today and is hoping for another win ahead of his 20th birthday on Saturday.
“It’s great to clear the first round in my first Grand Prix Gold tournament although it was not one of my best performances,” said Satheishtharan, who is recovering from a bad cough.
He has been with the back-up squad for 18 months but there has only been improvement since he started training under Indra last February.
He bagged the fifth-tier Singapore International
Series in September and reached the final of the fourth-tier Malaysian International Challenge in November.
“I like the way of my coach ... we understand each other. My mind-set in training is different now. I’m more positive,” he said.
“I’m spending more time in training than tour- naments to build on my fitness. My coach is pushing me hard in this area. My dream is to reach the semi-finals of a GP Gold this year.”
His team-mates national champion Lim Chi Wing and Lee Zii Jia crashed out in the opening round – underlining their lack of depth in a higher-level tournament.
It was a good day for independent shuttlers Chong Wei Feng and Zulfadli Zulkiffli who reached the second round in contrasting styles.
Wei Feng, who is playing under Ko Badminton Academy this year, recovered from a sluggish start to dump 11th seed and world No. 26 Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia 12-21, 21-6, 21-9.
Wei Feng, who quit the national team last year, said: “It’s just great to have this opportunity to still play badminton. I’m grateful to Ko Badminton Academy for having faith me.”
Former world junior champion Zulfadli, who blew away Abhishek Yelegar of India 21-13, 21-14, will take on Hsueh Hsuan-yi of Taiwan next.