ANN/THE STAR – Malaysia’s men’s doubles shuttler Wan Arif Wan Junaidi is out to avoid a repeat of his bad experience during Hari Raya celebrations last year.
Arif who had an enjoyable time with his family last time around in his hometown in Kuala Terengganu, ended up suffering food poisoning due to overeating.
The 21-year-old is keen to not let the same happen again.
“I’m looking forward to celebrating Raya with my family but I don’t want to get food poisoning like last year after overeating,” Arif said.
“I was fasting for a long time and training and when I could finally eat well, I ended up overdoing it.
“I could return on time to Kuala Lumpur after that but I had to see the doctor and take two days of medical leave. I need to be more careful with my food this time around.”
Arif, though, is not about to miss out on ketupat sotong which is his favourite food.
“Honestly, I don’t like that many types of food but there are some like ketupat sotong that I really like,” said Arif. “Now, in Terengganu, it is the squid season while other times, it will be more expensive. So, I really can’t wait to try this once I get back home.”
Arif has earned himself a well earned break after doing well to finish runners-up along with Yap Roy King in the Spain Masters last week.
It was Roy King and Arif’s first World Tour competition final together in their second tournament this year after the former made a comeback from injury in the Swiss Open a week earlier. The pair also came close to winning the title before narrowly going down 18-21, 21-17, 19-21 to Indonesia’s Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza in the final in Madrid.
Arif is now hungry to keep progressing up the ranks with Roy King after they moved up to number 50 in the world.
“We are happy to reach the final after only aiming to reach the last eight,” said Arif.
“Now, our target is to break into the top 30 this year. But it’s not just about rankings as we also want to win titles together.”
After returning from his Raya celebrations, Arif will prepare for his next assignment with Roy King which will be the Thailand Open from May 14-19 in Bangkok.
