Sabah lived up to the formbook as Goh Shuen Tong leads the contingent to three out of four titles in Division 1 of the Under-16 category of Round 1 of the 100PLUS National Junior Circuit 2020 this morning.
First up was Elvestly Daniel Edry who set the mood to take the title in the U16 boys’ singles after beating Johor’s Wee Yee Hern.
But Daniel was forced to work hard for every point as Yee Hern puts up some fierce opposition in the first set to force deuce after a 20-point tie.
However, the Marudu-born Daniel kept his composure to secure a 22-20 victory.
Wee Hern seemed to lose focus in the second set and failed to read Daniel’s game and this allowed Daniel to close up a 21-14 win after a 24-minute battle.
“The pressure was high throughout the game as I struggled to read my opponent. So I changed tactics to more net play and it paid off. Of course, things will be different after this win, so I have to work harder for the challenges ahead,” said Daniel.
Sabah’s dominance in the singles event continued when Shuen Tong downed Selangor’s Sik Xiao Hui for the girls’ title.
Excellent court control coupled with Shuen Tong’s smashing prowess frustrate Xiao Hui throughout the match as it allowed the Kota Kinabalu native to wrap up the crown in straight sets 21-18, 21-10 in just under 22 minutes.
But Shuen Tong was not finished yet as she went on to win the third title for Sabah alongside teammate Cassey Ryn Rompog to beat Selangor’s Sik Xiao Hui-Wong Zi Yi 21-19, 21-17 for the girls’ doubles title.
“I still have a lot to learn especially the speed and the game at the net. After this win, my opponents will be out to find my weaknesses and this will definitely put pressure on my game,” added Shuen Tong.
Johor prevented a Sabah clean up when top seed Chong Jen Son-Wee Yee Hern did not stutter to win the boys’ doubles after dumping Selangor’s Brandon Hee Hek Yong-Kok Jia Zheng 17-21, 21-17, 21-13 in the final.
“We made a lot of mistakes in the first set and lost focus. But we managed to rectify things in the next two sets and managed to control the game for the win.
“Overall, there are still improvements to be made whether it is at the individual level or in our combination play. We will be reviewing them in preparation for the next tournament,” Yee Hern said.
In the meantime, Johor dominated proceedings in the U14 division to win three titles – with Dania Sofea Zaidi in excellent form to win the girls’ singles and also the girls’ doubles.
In the final of the girls’ singles, Dania had no problem defeating Sabah’s Kon Han 21-17, 21-12 while alongside teammate Lai E Yun; they delivered a surprise to beat top seed Jovine Calvin-Wee Yee Tern from Sabah with a straight set victory 21-19, 21-15.
Johor and also the tournament top seed Toh E Hern-Wee Yee Tern then picked up the boys’ doubles title after drowning the challenge of Selangor’s Kong Zhou Swin-Shawn Hiu in straight sets 21-17, 21-12.
Selangor gained some measure of solace when they won the boys’ singles through Kong Zhou Win, who recovered from a first set defeat to beat compatriot Muhd Thaqif Shaz Mohd Shazlan 15-21, 25-23, 21-12.
On the other hand, hosts Selangor was dominant in the U12 division when they won three out of four titles.
The pair of Khoo Jin-Muhd Razin Aqeef Doni had little difficulty in overcoming Danish Haiqal Mohamad-Lai Man Tat of Kedah in a 21-10, 21-18 victory.
Khoo Jin then went on to pick up his and also Selangor’s second tile in the boys’ singles title after beating teammate Muhd ​​Razin Aqeef Doni 15-21, 25-23, 21-12.
Tan Xin Yu – Carine Tee Qin Xi then delivered the third win for Selangor in the girls’ doubles when they romped over Penang pair of Choong Shi Ming-Giovanna Koay Yi Shyuan 21-11, 21-13.
The remaining title of in the girls’ singles went to Sabah when Saidatul Saadiah Muhammad defeated Low Zi Yu of Johor 21-18 21-13 in the final.
The prizes for the winners were presented by Malaysian Badminton Association (BAM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria.
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RESULTS
UNDER-16
BOYS’ SINGLES
Daniel Edry Elvestly (Sabah) bt Wee Yee Hern (Johor) 22-20, 21-14
GIRLS’ SINGLES
Goh Shuen Tong (Sabah) bt Sik Xiao Hui (Selangor) 21-18, 21-10
BOYS’ DOUBLES
Chong Jen Son / Wee Yee Hern (Johor) bt Brandon Hee Hek Yong / Kok Jia Zheng (Selangor) 17-21, 21-17, 21-13
GIRLS’ DOUBLES
Goh Shuen Tong / Cassey Rynn Rompog (Sabah) bt Sik Xiao Hui / Wong Zi Yi (Selangor) 21-19, 21-17
UNDER-14
BOYS’ SINGLES
Kong Zhou Swin (Selangor) bt Muhd ​​Thaqif Shaz Mohd Shazlan (Selangor) 15-21, 25-23, 21-12
GIRLS’ SINGLES
Dania Sofea Zaidi (Johor) bt Kon Han (Sabah) 21-17, 21-12
BOYS’ DOUBLES
Toh E Hern / Wee Yee Tern (Johor) bt Kong Zhou Swin / Shawn Sharks (Selangor) 21-17, 21-12
GIRLS’ DOUBLES
Lai E Yun / Dania Sofea Zaidi (Johor) bt Jovine Calvin / Kon Han (Sabah) 21-19, 21-15
UNDER-12
BOYS’ SINGLES
Khoo Jin (Selangor) bt Muhd ​​Razeen Aqeef Doni (Selangor) 15-21, 25-23, 21-12
GIRLS’ SINGLES
Saidatul Saadiah Muhammad (Sabah) bt Low Zi Yu (Johor) 21-18 21-13
BOYS’ DOUBLES
Muhd Razin Aqeef Doni / Khoo Jin (Selangor) bt Lai Man Tat / Danish Haiqal Mohamad (Kedah) 21-10 21-18
GIRLS’ DOUBLES
Tan Xin Yu / Carine Tee Qin Xi (Selangor) bt Choong Shi Ming / Giovanna Koay Yi Shyuan (P Pinang) 21-11, 21-13
