Can ‘Fire Dragon’ Herry ignite Malaysia's men doubles to world glory?


Passionate: National doubles head coach Herry IP having a word with the players at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM).

PETALING JAYA: Herry Iman Pierngadi, the seasoned Indonesian coach who has shaped world and Olympic champions, has stepped into his new role as Malaysia’s men’s doubles head coach.

The 62-year-old Herry met the national players at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara, less than 12 hours after arriving on Thursday night.

With a reputation for transforming raw talent into world-class players, Herry nicknamed "Fire Dragon" by Chinese badminton fans believes Malaysia have what it takes to dominate the global badminton stage.

Herry’s nickname was given to him by Chinese fans after Indonesian players dominated tournaments held in China.

"In 2013, Hendra Setiawan and Mohammad Ahsan won the World Championships in China. They also claimed titles at the Asian Games and several China Open tournaments," said Herry during an interview after the morning training session on Friday (Jan 31).

"That’s when the nickname started, and it became even more prominent during the era of Indonesia’s legendary Minions - Kevin (Sukamuljo) and Marcus (Fernaldi)."

Now, Herry is determined to bring that same fire to Malaysia.

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The Indonesian coaching maestro, who met up with reigning Indonesian Masters winners Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Soh Wooi Yik at ABM, said he decided to join Malaysia because of his strong belief in the potential of the country’s players.

"Malaysian players are good. They have strong capabilities, and we can still compete with other top nations," said Herry

"I'm optimistic that the men’s doubles here can improve, and I hope they can dominate the world stage."

His confidence is backed by the recent rise of pairs like world No. 12 Wei Chong-Kai Wun and professionals and world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who made headlines by capturing the Indian Open crown this year.

While acknowledging the players’ talent, Herry emphasized the need for technical discipline and better decision-making abilities during matches.

"There are times when players should not lift the shuttle, but they still do. These small mistakes need to be addressed," he said.

Herry's coaching philosophy revolves around total commitment, a principle that has produced past stars like Kevin-Marcus.

"To become world and Olympic champions, hard work is a must. Total commitment means discipline, perseverance, and motivation," he said.

"Players go through ups and downs, but the key is to support them during low moments and ensure motivation remains the top priority."

With a clear roadmap for success, Herry believes the national squad can reach new heights.

"For experienced players like Aaron Chia and Wooi Yik, progress can be seen within a year. For younger pairs like Wei Chong and Kai Wun, it might take up to two years," he said.

His first official training session begins on Saturday (Feb 1), just in time for the Asia Mixed Team Championships in China from Feb 11-16, marking the start of a new chapter for the national men’s doubles squad.

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