Nur Izzuddin: I started interacting more with Sze Fei after we turned pro

Izzuddin-Goh left the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in September last year to pursue their careers as professional shuttlers.

Izzuddin explained why he decided to leave the comforts of the national team after almost 10 years.

“I wanted to try something new. People assume coming out of BAM is not easy because it is complete in terms of facility and training.

“Being a professional, we have to register for tournaments, flights and hotels on our own. But in doing that, I started to interact with Goh more. I didn’t get that at BAM because everything was taken care of, and we just trained and played together.

“I took being an independent shuttler as a positive thing,” Izzuddin told former national shuttler Ameer Zainuddin on his YouTube channel.

The Muar-born Izzuddin, who turns 28 this year, is in the form of his life with Goh after the pair clinched the Japan Open, Arctic Open, China Open and most recently India Open title in a six-month span.

The pair are currently ranked second in the world and have built their reputation as a fearsome men’s doubles pair.

A driving factor to their rise is their chemistry, which Izzuddin paid tribute to his long-term partner.

“Goh is a great front court player. He is so sharp and daring at the net, and his decisions usually gives me the opening to attack from behind. He is also hardworking, and I am blessed to have a partner like him.”

Izzuddin also laid out his plans for 2025.

“My long-term goal is to play and win gold for Malaysia at the Olympics. But the Olympics is not for another three years. The short-term goal is to win the All-England and the World Championships. If we do well, we will become the world number one pair.

“But the main target is to win big tournaments,” he added.