Roy King hopes to emulate role model Zhang Nan

PETALING JAYA: Up-and-coming shuttler Yap Roy King (pic) hopes to be as good as China’s doubles specialist Zhang Nan.

The 18-year-old Roy King has been in awe of Zhang Nan, who has proven himself in both the men and mixed doubles for the longest time.

Zhang Nan is a two-time Olympic champion having won the men’s doubles gold with Fu Haifeng in Rio in 2016 and the mixed doubles with Zhao Yunlei in London in 2012.

He has also conquered the World Championships four times — thrice with Yunlei (London 2011, Copenhagen 2014 and Jakarta 2015) and once in the men’s doubles with Liu Cheng in Glasgow 2017.

Roy King had only joined the senior team, on probation, last month but it didn’t take long for him to set his sights on excelling in two disciplines.

At junior level, Roy King has formed a formidable partnership with Ooi Jhy Dar and Gan Jing Err in the boys and mixed doubles events respectively.

With Jing Err, the duo reached the quarter-finals of the the Asian Junior Championships and World Junior Championships this year.

He was also a quarter-finalist with Jhy Dar in the Asian meet.

“I don’t know what’s in store for me in future, but it’s definitely one of my goals to become a true doubles specialist by being equally good in both the men and mixed events,” said Roy King.

“I grew up watching Zhang Nan play and I’m really inspired by him.

“There are not many doubles shuttlers out there now who can play and excel in two events ... Zhang Nan is certainly one of the bests.

“I hope to model myself after him. It will be up to the coaches to decide if I’m good enough to play in two events. If I’m needed to, I’m up for it.”

But Roy King’s priority for now is to strengthen his combination with Jhy Dar and impress as a rookie next year.

“We have to really double up our efforts as playing at senior level is tougher,” said Roy King.

“Even though we have been promoted from the junior squad, we cannot take anything for granted. We are still on probation and our position will be reviewed from time to time.

“We need to take our chances well when we play in tournaments. It may be tough for us to become champions, but the least we can do is to upset higher-ranked opponents.

“I hope to go far with Jhy Dar. We have been partners for almost three years now. Hopefully we can earn our breakthrough in two to three years time and become regulars on the World Tour.”