Newly crowned Badminton Asia Junior boys’ singles champion Leong Jun Hao described his success as a “shot in the arm” for his badminton career.
The national Under-21 champion, who is not in Malaysia’s SEA Games team is now focusing on this year’s World Junior Championships to be held in Jogjakarta, Indonesia in October.
“Winning the Asian Junior title means a lot to me. Firstly I am happy to win the title for my country after four years. Secondly it has given me the confidence to chase bigger dreams,” said Jun Hao, who hails from Setapak.
The unseeded Jun Hao had to battle for 74 minutes in the final before he subdued Chinese newcomer Bai Yupeng 21-6, 20-22, 21-17 for the title.
It looked like Jun Hao was runaway with the title with an easy win in the first game but Yupeng, playing in his first Asian Junior Championships, came alive in the second and won 22-20.
Yupeng found his rhythm after getting a feel of the “big match” and it was a point for battle between the two players before Yupeng forced the decider. Again it was another test of nerves for the two players but the nervous Yupeng gave away points and Jun Hao took full advantage to ride home.
A happy Kwan Yoke Meng, Malaysia’s national juniors coach was more than pleased with Malaysia’s achievements in Bintaro – winning a gold in the boys’ singles and two bronze that came from Eoon Qi Xuan in the girls’ singles and Chia Wei Jie-Ng Tze Young in the boys’ doubles.
“The Asian title is a big boost to my confidence. The world junior championships is my next target. I will put in an extra effort in my training for the world meet,” added Jun Hao.
Jun Hao also thanked the support he received from the Indonesian fans in the final.
“I did not expect such a support from them…but they were a motivating factor in my win. To them a i say a big ‘Thank You’ and I really appreciate that.”
Meanwhile, China, who lost the mixed team title this year after losing 3-0 to Japan in the quarter-finals, showed that they are still a powerhouse in the shuttle sport by winning two individual titles.
China won the girls’ singles through unseeded Han Yue who defeated Thailand’s third seed Pattarasuda Chaiwan 21-15, 21-13 in a 45 minute final.
In the boys’ doubles final unseeded Di Zijian-Chang Wang won 21-19, 21-11 against second seeds Lee Sang-min-Na Sung Seung of Korea in 35 minutes.
Mixed team champions Korea stopped China from winning their third title with third seeds Baek Ha-na-Lee Yu-rim taking the women’s doubles title with a 21-12, 21-19 win over China’s Liu Xuanxuan-Xia Yuting in 40 minutes.
Indonesia clinched the the mixed doubles title to send their home supporters wild after fifth seeds Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti handed Korean hopes and third seeds Na Sung-seung-Seong Ah-yeong a 21-19, 19-21, 21-9 defeat for the title. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
RESULTS (ALL FINALS)
Men’s singles
Leong Jun Hao (MAS) beat Bai Yupeng (CHN) 21-6, 20-22, 21-17
Men’s doubles
Di Zijian-Wang Chang (CHN) beat Lee Sang-min-Na Sung-seung (KOR) 21-19, 21-11
Women’s singles
Han Yue (CHN) beat Pattarasuda Chaiwan (THA) 21-15, 21-13
Women’s doubles
Baek Ha-na-Lee Yu-rim (KOR) beat Liu Xuanxuan-Xia Yuting (CHN) 21-12, 21-19
Mixed doubles
Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti (INA) beat Na Sung-seung (KOR) 21-19, 19-21, 21-9
