HANGZHOU: Men's singles Ng Tze Yong is already looking ahead to the next Asian Games in 2026.
On Thursday, the 23-year-old's campaign at the Hangzhou edition came to an end when he was eliminated in the quarter-finals at the Binjiang Gymnasium.
World No. 19 Tze Yong fought gallantly in the first game, but it was not enough to stop No. 3 Kodai Naraoka of Japan from chalking up a 22-20, 21-15 win.
The defeat was Tze Yong's third to the Japanese ace in three meetings.
Tze Yong, who usually appears timid in post-match interviews, admitted to making too many mistakes in the second game.
The outcome could have been different had he won the first game.
"I made too many mistakes in the second game. If I had won it, things could have been different.
"Kodai would be more nervous and probably make some mistakes.
"My first experience at a multi-sport event was the Commonwealth Games last year. This is my second, and it feels quite similar.
"I believe I've given my best, and I look forward to playing in the Asian Games again," said Tze Yong, who surprised everyone when he clinched the silver medal in Birmingham last year.
In his quest for consistency, Tze Yong remains confident he's still on track.
"So far, I think I'm doing okay, just like in the Hong Kong Open before this.
"I hope I will get to maintain it like this.
"My ultimate target is to break into the world top 16 because I want to earn my spot in the Olympics next year," said Tze Yong, who has already beaten the likes of world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore and former world No. 2 Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan.
Tze Yong's defeat ended Malaysia's challenge in the Asian Games men's singles event after Lee Zii Jia crashed out earlier in the day.
World No. 16 Zii Jia fought tooth and nail but eventually succumbed 21-16, 21-23, 20-22 to fifth seed H. S. Prannoy of India.
For the record, no Malaysian men's singles have reached the final of the Asiad since Lee Chong Wei won the silver at the 2010 Guangzhou Games.
In the semi-finals on Friday, Kodai will play the winner of the match between Taiwan's Tien Chen and China's Shi Yu Qi, while Prannoy takes on Li Shi Feng.