Kuala Lumpur: National men’s singles shuttler Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin has experienced a significant rise in his career, moving from being dropped by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) last year to breaking into the top 50 of the world’s rankings. The 25-year-old now holds the 48th position globally, a feat he credits to the guidance of his coach, Nova Armada from Indonesia, who continued to train him despite his status as a non-BAM player.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Aidil Sholeh expressed his gratitude towards Nova, emphasizing the pivotal role his coach played in his improved confidence and rising performance. He recounted how Nova reached out to him before his departure from BAM, offering to train him with the belief that he had the potential to excel. This opportunity, Aidil believes, was crucial in elevating his performance level.

In March, Aidil Sholeh clinched his first title as a professional player by winning the Sri Lanka International Challenge, defeating India’s Pranay Katta with scores of 21-19, 21-15. Additionally, he has benefited from sparring sessions with top-ranked players like world number nine Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan and world number 30 Brian Yang of Canada during their visits to Malaysia.

Aidil Sholeh has set his sights on reaching the top 32 of the world rankings by the end of the year, aiming to qualify for more prestigious world-class championships. However, his recent performance at the Malaysia Masters did not meet his expectations, as he was eliminated in the qualifying round by Taiwan’s Huang Yu Kai, with scores of 21-8, 17-21, 18-21 at the Axiata Arena.

Reflecting on his early exit from the Super 500 tournament, Aidil expressed disappointment, particularly with his inability to capitalize on the first-game victory. He acknowledged that his game unraveled in the second set, affecting him mentally and ultimately leading to his defeat.