SHUTTLER Datu Anif Isaac was only five when he watched Datuk Lee Chong Wei won silver in the 2012 London Olympics.
Since then, Anif has idolised Chong Wei and two years later, started playing badminton himself.
What started as a hobby, turned into something serious when the youngster from Sabah was selected to represent the state team when he was 12.
Anif is now part of the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) and is making his debut in the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
Yesterday, the 17-year-old made a good start in the men’s singles when he fought hard to beat Kelantan’s Goo Vie Kiet 21-18, 18-21, 21-11 in the first round in Sibu yesterday.
Anif will take on Perak’s Chow Wern Soon next for a place in the quarter-finals.
“This is my first Sukma and I’m very excited to represent my own state,” said Anif.
“I have been playing badminton for 10 years since I was seven.
“I grew more interested in the game after I was selected by my state team, so it’s great to get to play in the Sukma.
“My biggest dream is to become world No. 1 and play in the Olympics just like my idol Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
“I liked the way he played when I saw him at the 2012 Olympics. He was so stable and confident on court. I hope to be like him one day,” added Anif, who also competes in the mixed doubles.
The Kota Kinabalu lad finished runners-up along with Dania Sofea Zaidi in the National Under-18 Championships in May.
Anif-Dania’s performance in the national meet won them a place in the Asian Junior Championships in July and they stunned Thailand’s top seeds Attawut Sreepeaw-Sabrina Sophita en route to reaching the quarter-finals in Yogyakarta.
Anif hopes to be chosen for the World Junior Championships from Sept 30-Oct 13 in Nanchang, China.
“Dania and I managed to beat the Thai top seeds and reach the last eight. As debutants, it was a good experience for us,” said Anif.
