In Malaysian badminton, success sometimes requires the courage to make bold changes. Haikal Nazri, one of the country’s top men’s doubles players, has taken that step by ending his partnership with Choong Hon Jian and forming a new pairing with Bryan Jeremy Goonting. The move, driven by Haikal, represents a strategic reset as he aims to climb higher in the world rankings, starting with the Thailand Open from May 12 to 17.
Haikal, 24, approached national head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi about the split, demonstrating a commitment to finding a winning formula even if it means starting from scratch. "Right now, we don't feel any pressure because we are starting again from the bottom," Haikal said, reflecting the sense of freedom and renewed focus that comes with a fresh partnership.
The previous pairing with Hon Jian had achieved notable success. Formed in August 2023, the duo quickly claimed titles at the Syed Modi International and Guwahati Masters, followed by a win at the 2024 Orleans Masters. They even reached a career-high world ranking of No. 18. Yet despite these achievements, persistent injuries disrupted their rhythm. Haikal explained that when one player was sidelined, the other continued competing, preventing the duo from building consistent momentum. This led to a series of early exits, reinforcing the need for a change.
Haikal’s new partnership with Goonting brings complementary skills to the court. As a left-handed player, Haikal will combine with Goonting, a right-handed baseliner, creating better court balance and more tactical options. The pair will debut at the Thailand Open and then compete at the Malaysia Masters (May 19-24) and Macau Open (June 16-21), with the shared goal of breaking into the world top 32 by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Hon Jian will begin a new chapter with Wong Vin Sean, signaling a broader reshuffle in Malaysia’s men’s doubles ranks. Haikal’s decision to initiate the split reflects a forward-thinking mindset, prioritizing growth, consistency, and the pursuit of peak performance over comfort and past success.
As Haikal Nazri and Bryan Jeremy Goonting begin their journey, the Malaysian badminton community will be watching closely to see if this strategic reset can ignite a new era of international success.
