Ready for the test: Faiq Haziq Masawi (right) and Lok Hong Quan hopes to prove themselves at the Sri Lanka Challenge.— Faiq Masawi instagram
KUALA LUMPUR: National shuttler Faiq Haziq Masawi was asked to play in the singles for a year after being promoted into the senior team but his heart had always been in the doubles.
And yesterday, the 18-year-old finally received the green light to focus on the doubles under coach Herry Iman Pierngadi.
While focussing on the singles, he had continued playing in the doubles with Lok Hong Quan, a partnership that started in 2019.
Faiq said the decision was made last month, just days before the Under-21 National Championships in Kuantan, Pahang.
Despite entering the tournament at the last minute, he and Hong Quan went on to clinch the title after defeating Loh Zi Heng and Tan Zhi Yang in the final.
Now, they are set for their first international tournament of the year at the Sri Lanka International Challenge, which begins tomorrow.
Faiq-Hong Quan will face Indonesia’s Muh Putra Erwiansyah and Daniel Edgar Marvinho.
He said he felt more comfortable in doubles with Hong Quan.
“I feel even more motivated now that my request has been granted, but I also know I need to stay focused since I am now concentrating on just one event,” he said.
During his junior years, the Selangor-born player competed in both singles and doubles, including at last year’s World Junior Championships in Nanchang, China. He reached the quarter-finals in the singles but lost in the last 16 in the doubles.
Now that he has been allowed to rejoin the men’s doubles squad under Herry, he is determined to make the most of this opportunity.
“Before this decision was made, we had a discussion, especially with coach (Kenneth) Jonassen, who held one-on-one sessions with all the players. I spoke with him during that time.
“Later, he told me he needed to bring the matter to Rexy, and not long after, I was informed that I could focus on men’s doubles,” said Faiq.
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