A major change is unfolding in Malaysian badminton as the men’s doubles partnership of Choong Hon Jian and Haikal Nazri has officially ended. National coach Herry Iman Pierngadi confirmed that the decision was initiated by the players themselves, signaling a new chapter for the nation’s doubles program.
Speaking from Kuala Lumpur, Coach Herry clarified that the split was not his decision. "It wasn’t my choice to separate them; Hon Jian and Haikal asked for it," he said. The respected Indonesian coach emphasized his philosophy of guidance over punishment, noting that even after Haikal’s withdrawal from the Swiss Open last month, he only requested a written commitment to reaffirm the player’s dedication.
The partnership struggled to achieve consistent results, with injuries frequently disrupting their rhythm. Haikal admitted, "Our results were not good, and we were losing in the first round. When I was injured, Hon Jian was fine, and when I recovered, he was dealing with injuries. It made it hard to build momentum. Hon Jian agreed the split was the right move." These challenges prevented the duo from building on their 2024 Orleans Masters victory.
Looking ahead, both players are ready to explore new opportunities. Hon Jian has partnered with Wong Vin Sean, while Haikal will team up with Bryan Jeremy Goonting. Their new pairings will debut at the Thailand Open from May 12 to 17, followed by the Malaysia Masters (May 19-24) and the Macau Open (June 16-21).
Haikal highlighted the tactical benefits of his new pairing. "I am left-handed, and Bryan is right-handed and a baseliner. My former partner was also left-handed," he explained. He hopes the combination will improve court coverage and create more varied attacking options. Haikal has set an ambitious target to break into the world top 32 by the end of the year, a milestone that would open doors to higher-tier World Tour events.
With these new partnerships, Malaysia’s men’s doubles scene enters an exciting period. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if these changes spark a fresh era of success on the international stage.
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