BRUNI @ Zaini is making people sit up and take notice in the Asia Pacific Masters Games 2018 badminton competition.
The unassuming 65-year-old from Sarawak, who is given the nickname ‘The Terminator’ by his doubles partner Datuk DJ Dave @ Irwan Shah Abdullah, is on a rampage at the Penang Badminton Association Hall this week.
Bruni has built quite a reputation for himself after routing the six-time All England Masters Badminton champion Henry Paynter 21-18, 21-7 in the men’s singles 65 years old and above category. Oddly enough, Bruni had no idea who Paynter was when he faced the Canadian.
“I didn’t know who he was and what he had won before this. So, I felt normal during and after the victory. It was later that my daughter sent me an article which said he was a famous player and a former champion,” said Bruni.
Hailing from Limbang, Sarawak, Bruni worked as a medical officer until his retirement in 2010. He first started playing badminton at the age of seven. He has played for his school and for the Sarawak Medical Team but has never represented his state or national team in important tournaments.
He first met his partner, DJ Dave during a badminton tournament in Kota Kinabalu several years back. The pair met again in April during the Sunrise Morning Cup Masters Tournament in Taiwan.
“There were not many Malaysians in Taiwan during the tournament, so we became friends. We trained together, we played together. He called me in July to inform me about partnering up for the APMG 2018. I did not have any commitments for September, so I agreed immediately,” said Bruni.
Bruni won the gold medal in his age category during the 2010 World Masters Morning Cup Badminton Championship held in Kuala Lumpur. He has also won numerous veteran titles in competitions in Sarawak.
Bruni aims to go all the way in the APMG 2018 to bag two gold medals in the men’s singles and doubles events.
Story and photos courtesy of APMG 2018