Kuala lumpur: Professional men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have the potential to become world champions at the 2026 World Championships in New Delhi from August 17 to 23. National badminton legend Datuk Razif Sidek highlighted the significant improvements shown by the world No. 7 pair. Their recent achievement of ending Malaysia's 18-year title drought at the 2026 Indonesia Open in Istora Senayan, Jakarta, underscores their capability to emerge as world title contenders.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin clinched the Indonesia Open title after a comeback victory over home pair Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin with scores of 13-21, 21-18, 21-10 in a 49-minute match. Razif Sidek, who previously won the Indonesia Open with his brother Datuk Seri Jalani Sidek in 1988 and 1990, remarked that this victory showcased the pair's mental resilience under high pressure and against a supportive home crowd at the prestigious Super 1000 event.
Razif emphasized that their semi-final win over top seeds and reigning champions from South Korea, Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae, with scores of 21-18, 17-21, 21-16, further solidified their status as genuine contenders for the World Championships. He noted the pair's recent advancements in movement, strategy, and confidence, expressing hope for their continued success at the World Championships.
Razif acknowledged the heightened pressure of competing in BWF World Tour Super 1000 tournaments like the Indonesia Open, which offer substantial prize money, in contrast to the World Championships that provide medals and world ranking points. He praised Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin's achievement of reclaiming the men's doubles Indonesia Open title for Malaysia, a feat last accomplished by Zakry Abdul Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari in 2008.
As champions of their most significant title of the season, Sze Fei-Izzuddin received prize money of USD107,300 (RM432,365), while the runners-up were awarded USD50,750 (RM204,533). Their triumph at the Indonesia Open marked their second victory at Istora Senayan this year, following their win at the 2026 Indonesia Masters. Last month, the pair finished as runners-up at the 2026 Malaysia Masters after a loss to Denmark's Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard.