KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s elite men’s doubles pair, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, have firmly denied speculation suggesting a return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), reiterating their intent to remain independent professionals.
The statement came from Goh Sze Fei, just days after the pair finished as runners-up at the 2025 Japan Open, where they surrendered their World No. 1 ranking to Korea’s Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae.
Taking to social media, Goh Sze Fei wrote:
“We’d like to clarify that we are very happy with our current status as a professional pair. Reaching the Japan Open final recently has only strengthened our confidence and passion under the guidance of our coach, Teo Kok Siang.”
He emphasized that their relationship with BAM remains respectful:
“We continue to appreciate the support we received during our time with BAM.”
📌 Background: From BAM to World No. 1
The duo made headlines when they left BAM in September 2024, and within a week as professionals, they stunned the world by winning the Japan Open. Their rise didn’t stop there — in early 2025, they clinched three titles:
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China Open Super 1000
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Arctic Open
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India Open
These victories propelled them to World No. 1 for the first time in their careers.
However, their momentum cooled following the India Open triumph, and their recent loss to Kim/Seo in the Japan Open final caused them to relinquish their top spot in the rankings.
🔜 Next Stop: China Open Title Defense
Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin will kick off their China Open title defense tomorrow, facing Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju, currently ranked World No. 49, in the first round.
The Malaysian pair will be looking to bounce back and prove they remain strong contenders in the highly competitive men’s doubles scene.
