National junior chief coach Kwan Yoke Meng is reminded of his former rival Rashid Sidek whenever he sees Muhammad Fazriq Sidek in action.
Fazriq, who is the nephew of Rashid and the son of former doubles player Razif, is being touted as Malaysia’s next big thing in badminton.
Just a week after claiming the Under-15 Shonai Invitational crown in Japan, the Kuala Lumpur-born put up another top class act to bag the boys’ Under-16 singles and doubles titles at the 100Plus National Junior Circuit Grand Prix Finals in Seremban yesterday.
In the singles final, the top seed saw off Hooi Shao Herng 22-20, 21-15, and then together with Justin Hoh, upset top seeds Rayner Beh-Goh Boon Zhe 21-14, 21-17 in the doubles final.
“He (Fazriq) reminds me of my old rival Rashid, who is also his uncle,” said Yoke Meng.
“Just like Fazriq, Rashid was also crowned Under-16 champion before he turned 16.
“Although Rashid was my junior, he was already beating older players, and that impressed the late Datuk Punch Gunalan, who then put us through the necessary programmes. I want to do the same with Fazriq.”
According to the former Thomas Cup player, Fazriq will be playing in the Asia Junior Championships in Suzhou, China on July 20-28.
“Yes, Fazriq is definitely one of the first few players who has secured spots in the Asian junior squads.
“We want to make sure he gets enough exposure.
“My job is to make sure these junior players master the right technique and foundation before the transition to the senior squad.
“With BAM now focused on the juniors, I think Malaysia should be able to boast some good players in the next five years,” Yoke Meng added.
Results (All Finals): Under-16 — Boys’ singles: Muhammad Fazriq Sidek (BAM) bt Hooi Shao Herng (KL) 22-20, 21-15;
Doubles: Muhammad Fazriq Sidek-Justin Hoh (BAM) bt Rayner Beh-Goh Boon Zhe (BAM) 21-14, 21-17.
Girls’ singles: K.Letshanaa (Sel) bt Arena Satu Samin (Sab) 10-21, 21-9, 21-15;
Doubles: Khor Jing Wen-Tan Zhing Yi (BAM) bt Cheng Su Hui-Cheng Su Yin (BAM) 21-15, 9-21, 21-19.
Under-14 — Boys’ singles: Eogene Ewe (BAM) bt Ferdinan Ramno (BAM) 21-18, 22-20;
Doubles: Eogene Ewe-Ferdinan Ramno (BAM) bt Bryan Jeremy Goonting-Low Han Chen (BAM) 21-19, 24-22.
Girls’ singles: Sarah Ngu (BAM) bt Siti Zulaikha Mohd Azmi Tan (BAM) 21-17, 21-18;
Doubles: Lim Yi Wei-Lai Ting Cen (BAM) bt Chan Wen Tse-Sarah Ngu (BAM) 18-21, 22-20, 21-8.
Under-12 — Boys’ singles: Kee Is Qian (Ked) bt Lim Boon Le (Pah) 22-20, 24-22;
Doubles: Tan Zhi Shen-Tan Zhi Yang (Pen) bt Kee Is Qian-Loh Zi Heng (Ked) 21-17, 21-18.
Girls’ singles: Dania Sofea Zaidi (Joh) bt Oo Shan Zi (Pen) 21-14, 21-14;
Doubles: Dania Sofea Zaidi-Lai E Yun (Joh) bt Christine Lam-Oo Shan Zi (Pen) 23-21, 21-14.