After surprising everyone at the Commonwealth Games by securing a men's singles silver medal, Ng Tze Yong will try to build on that by making the cut for the European leg of the BWF World Tour in October.
But before that happens, Ng will be chasing another medal at the upcoming 20th Malaysia Games (SUKMA) to be held in Kuala Lumpur from September 16-24.
Ng is eligible to compete at the SUKMA after the organisers increased the age eligibility from 21 to 23 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The world number 39 is most likely to be seeded first, and having that potential target on his back is getting to him.
“I don’t normally feel any pressure when competing but this time I’m feeling it. I need to learn to handle the pressure and not be too stressed.
“I need to improve on my gym training to increase stamina because, at present, my fitness is only 60 to 70 percent,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Ng have several contenders coming his way as he vies for gold, among them are national team-mates Leong Jun Hao, Lim Chong King, Aidil Sholeh and Jacky Kok.
While he would like to reach the podium at the SUKMA, Ng would relish getting a shot to feature at the Denmark and French Opens against opponents ranked higher than him.
At the Commonwealth Games, the Johor-born produced an outstanding performance to clinch the silver medal after he took down the likes of Loh Kean Yew and K. Srikanth.
