FAZRIQ Razif, who is being touted as the next big thing in Malaysian badminton, has set his sights on qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 15-year-old believes that with players now peaking at a younger age, he should be ready in five years’ time.
“That (2024 Paris Games) is the target. I will be ready if I start putting in the hard work now,” said Fazriq.
“If you look at the top players from other countries, most of them start to peak at the age of 19 or 20. I want to achieve that too.
“What we lack now is experience. If we start playing in more tournaments and work hard on improving our skills, we should be ready for the 2024 Olympics,” added Fazriq, who has yet to decide whether to focus on singles or doubles.
Fazriq, who is the youngest son of doubles legend Razif Sidek, has won four titles this year — Under-15 Shonai Invitational singles in Japan, the National Under-16 boys’ singles and doubles, as well as the Malaysian School Sports Council (MSSM) boys’ doubles with Justin Hoh.
Fazriq and Justin, 15, also impressed despite losing to compatriots Yap Roy King-Ooi Jhy Dar in the final of the recent Malaysia Junior International Challenge.
At the Asian Junior Championships in July, Fazriq was the youngest member of the Malaysian squad.
Now, he is in the running for a spot in the squad for the World Junior Championships in Kazan, Russia from Sept 30-Oct 13.
The BA of Malaysia (BAM) are holding a four-day selection trial, which began yesterday.
Four boys’ singles players will make the squad.
“I really wish I can make the squad. It was a great experience when I made the cut for the Asian juniors,” said Fazriq.
The others vying for the boys’ singles spots are Kok Jing Hong, Lee Shun Yang, Whyman Goh, Muhd Shaqeem Shahyar and recently-crowned India Junior International champion Ong Ken Yon. Fabian Peter