Goh Jin Wei who won a bronze medal in her Sea Games debut in Singapore two years got off to a roaring start at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on the opening day of the badminton individual events on Saturday.
The 17 year-old Malaysian, who played an inspiring role in winning the silver medal for Malaysia in the team event on Thursday, wrapped up a 21-6, 21-7 win over Myanmar’s Thet Htar Thuzer in the first round.
Also through to the second round is Soniia Cheah who dumped Singapore’s hope Yeo Jia Min 21-16, 22-20 in 40 minutes to give Malaysian supporters plenty to cheer.
Top seed and defending champion Busanan Ongbamrungphan of Thailand who led her country to retain the team gold with a 3-1 win over Malaysia in the final on Thursday, strolled past Gone Khin Li Yin of Myanmar while compatriot Pornpawee Chochuwong was too strong for Singapore’s Grace Chua Hui Zhen 21-11, 21-10.
Indonesia’s Fitriani Fitriani, the second seed, also cleared her first hurdle with ease – knocking out Vietnam’s Huyen Le Thu 21-12, 21-16 in 34 minutes.
Compatriot Gregoria Mariska outplayed Mimi Sixomxeuane of Laos 21-14, 21-10 in only 17 minutes.
Cambodia’s lone woman shuttler Pechhoravy Ker’s campaign in the 29th Sea Games lasted only 17 minutes as she went out tamely 8-21, 5-21 to Vietnam’s Nguyen Thuy Linh in the first round.
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FIRST ROUND RESULTS
Women’s singles
Goh Jin Wei (Mas) beat Thet Htar Thuzar (Mya) 21-6, 21-7
Busanan Ongbamrungphan (Tha) beat Gone Khin Li Yin (Mya) 21-14, 21-9
Sonii Cheah (Mas) beat Yeo Jia Ming (Sgp) 21-16, 22-20
Gregoria Mariska (Ina) beat Mimi Sixomxeuane (Lao) 21-4, 21-10
Sarah Joy Barredo (Phi) beat Onlyone Phouangmala (Lao) 21-7, 21-5
Fitriani Fitriani beat Huyen Le Thu (Vie) 21-4, 21-10
Nguyen Thuy Lin (Vie) beat Pechhoravy Ker (Cam 21-8, 21-5
