Selangor’s K. Letshanaa is ready to face anyone for the Girls’ Under-16 singles title after booking a place in the quarter-finals in the 100PLUS National Junior Circuit Grand Prix Finals with comparative ease in Seremban on Friday.
Letshanaa, seeded 3/4, swept past Kuala Lumpur’s Gooi Xin Yi 21-2, 21-6 in quick 15 minutes and will meet Lee Xin Jie (BAM/Penang) in the last eight. Xin Jie who played in the recent World Badminton Under-15 Shonai Invitational in Japan was taken the distance by Kedah’s K. Yeshveeni before prevailing 21-15, 13-21, 21-15 in a 51-minute encounter.
“I have found my game again after a recent slump,” said Letshanaa who lost 21-15, 16-21, 16-21 to Sabah’s Arena Satu Samin in the 2nd-leg final in Johor Bahru in May.
“My confidence is high. I am playing my normal game again and have got back my rhythm. The best is yet to come and I am confident I can go all the way.”
Arena, the defending Grand Prix champion, also showed her class as she shut out Tan Shen Thing (BAM/Penang) 21-12, 21-9 in 18 minutes. For a place in the last four Arena will face second seed Joanne Ng May Yin (BAM/Melaka) who stopped Sik Xiao Hui of Selangor 21-13, 21-14.
Top seed Tan Zhang Yi (BAM/Penang) outplayed Perak’s Chew Jia Hui 21-18, 21-12 to advance. However, Zhang Yi is far from happy with her performance.
“I have to be patient with my game. I made a lot of mistakes with many of my shots going out. I need to buck up and stay focused in my game,” said Zhang Yi who will face Selangor’s Siti Nurshuhaini Azman – 21-9, 18-21, 21-13 winner over Sabah’s Goh Shuen Tong.
Johor’s Oh Jia Qi, who beat third seed Vanessa Ng Po Lyn of Negri Sembilan in the first round, continued her winning ways with a 21-10, 21-15 win over Selangor’s Lim Qi Ling to advance to the last eight where she will meet Khor Jin Weng (BAM/Penang).
Meanwhile, in the Boys’ Under-16, top seed Muhammad Fazriq Razif (BAM/KUL) stayed on course with a straight game 21-17, 21-17 win over A. Thanesh Devar of Melaka. Fazriq who won a double in the Under-14 category last year completed his task in 35 minutes.
For a place in the semi-finals Fazriq, who won the World Badminton Under-15 Invitational in Japan on Sunday, next faces Selangor’s Haris Sufian Rushdan who defeated Kelantan’s Goo Vie Kieat 21-15, 21-11 in 31 minutes.
“I might have won both my matches in straight games but it is not going to be any easy from now. I still feel the tiredness from the Japan trip. Still, I am looking forward to continuing my run with the hope of winning the title,” said Fazriq, who is also the Malaysian team to the Asian Junior Championships in Suzhou, China later this month.
100PLUS is also the title sponsor for the 100PLUS National Junior Inter-State Circuit which will be held November this year.
100PLUS, the nation’s No.1 isotonic beverage, is the Official Beverage sponsor for all BAM events and activities including the Malaysian Open and the Malaysian Masters. Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei and Jin Wei are currently 100PLUS Brand Ambassadors.
100PLUS will be the ideal drink for the young players competing in the junior circuit. Consuming the non-carbonated beverage will help the players achieve peak performances during events.
100PLUS ACTIVE builds on the brand’s sports heritage and functional credentials to target sporty, fitness-seeking consumers looking for a no-fizz thirst-quencher that can rehydrate, replenish, and re-energise them during and after their fitness regimen.
100PLUS, a Silver Sponsor for Kuala Lumpur 2017 SEA Games and Para Games, is synonymous with supporting sports in the country. Apart from BAM, 100PLUS also supports the Football Association of Malaysia. 100PLUS is also the Official Isotonic beverage for the Malaysian Football League.
100PLUS is committed to youth development programmes and currently supports Liga KPM (under MSSM). 100PLUS is the recommended drink of the National Sports Council.
