Kuala Lumpur – The future of Malaysian men’s doubles player Muhammad Haikal Nazri with his partnership alongside Choong Hon Jian remains uncertain as coach Herry Iman Pierngadi expresses growing frustration with their recent performances and availability. The pair have struggled with consistency and, crucially, injury concerns, leading Herry to consider other options as they aim to build a competitive squad.
The latest setback came with the withdrawal of Hon Jian-Haikal from the Swiss Open, a decision that reportedly displeased Herry. This follows a disappointing showing at the Korean Open in September 2025, where they lost in the second round to Japan’s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi, the former world champions, 17-21, 11-21, in just 36 minutes. This marked their third defeat to the Japanese pair this year, having also fallen to them at the Malaysia Masters and Indonesia Open. The question now is whether Haikal can regain the confidence of his coach and secure a consistent place in the national team.
Recent Setbacks and Coach Herry’s Concerns
Herry Iman Pierngadi has made it clear he is losing patience with the Hon Jian-Haikal pairing. According to reports, the coach is actively exploring other combinations, signaling a potential shift in strategy for the men’s doubles team. This comes after Haikal has spent significant periods on the sidelines due to injuries over the past two years, a recurring issue that has hampered their progress. Hon Jian also has a history of injury proneness, further complicating matters. The New Straits Times reported on March 13, 2026, that Herry is running out of patience and focusing on other pairs.
The withdrawal from the Swiss Open, as reported by Berita Harian, was a particular point of contention for Herry. The coach’s dissatisfaction highlights the pressure on the pair to deliver consistent results and maintain their fitness.
Performance at the Korean Open
Prior to the Swiss Open withdrawal, the Korean Open in September 2025 offered a chance for Hon Jian-Haikal to prove their mettle, but they ultimately fell short. As detailed in reports from Malay Mail and Newswav, the world number 47 Malaysian duo were defeated by the world number 11 Japanese pair, Hoki-Kobayashi, 21-17, 21-11. The match lasted just 36 minutes, underscoring the dominance of the Japanese team.
At the time, the pair were ranked 47th in the world, and the defeat represented a missed opportunity to gain valuable ranking points and build momentum. Hoki-Kobayashi went on to face a South Korean pair in the quarter-finals.
Looking Ahead
The immediate future for Hon Jian-Haikal is uncertain. Herry Iman Pierngadi’s willingness to explore other pairings suggests that the duo will need to demonstrate significant improvement in both performance and fitness to retain their place in the national setup. The coach, as reported by Katakita, had previously expressed hope that they would bounce back from their Suwon setback, but their subsequent withdrawal from the Swiss Open casts doubt on their current form and availability.
The focus will now be on whether Haikal can overcome his injury issues and build a stronger partnership with Hon Jian. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether they can win back the trust of their coach and contribute to Malaysia’s success in international badminton competitions. The team’s performance in upcoming tournaments will be closely watched as Herry continues to evaluate his options for the men’s doubles squad.
What do you feel? Can Haikal and Hon Jian turn things around? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
