Asian Games: Coach Rexy tells Malaysian shuttlers to draw on past top performances for Aichi‑Nagoya 2026

National doubles coach Rexy Mainaky is seen with the Malaysian badminton squad at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara before departing for KLIA to leave for the Aichi‑Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, which run from September 19 to October 4. — Bernama pic

First Published: Wednesday, 16 Sep 2026 8:01 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky has urged Malaysian players to revisit their top performances as they gear up for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

He believes recalling past successes will boost the players’ confidence and motivation ahead of the Games.

“So I am refreshing their memories to help them see their past performances and understand why they played that way.

“We are not just looking at their playing style but why they behaved a certain way on court, their mindset at every point. This is what we must focus on, he told reporters at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara here today before departing for Japan tonight.

Rexy said coaches will review past match videos to analyse both technique and the players’ mindset in crucial moments.

He added that coaches will pay close attention to how players react after each point and communicate with their partners.

“In the videos, we look at many angles, such as how they score points, their response to their partner, and the expressions that kept them motivated at every point,” he said.

Rexy said this process is key for players to recognise what drove their best performances and apply those qualities at the Games.

Malaysia last won Asian Games badminton gold through men’s doubles pair Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong at the 2006 Doha Games. — Bernama