Jeyaseelan (standing second from left) with the shuttlers after presenting the certificates. — Photos: AZMAN GHANI/The Star
IT WAS sweet revenge for shuttler Muhammad Thaqif Shaz Mohd Shazlan when he defeated Salehuddin Ali Sadikin in the Boys’ Singles Under-18 category.
The 16-year-old from SMK Bukit Rahman Putra breezed through an action-packed match by toppling Salehuddin 21-13, 21-12 during the Gombak District School Sports Council (MSSD) Badminton Championship held at ASB Badminton Hall in Bandar Baru Rawang, Selangor.
“This is our second time playing against each other. In our first meeting, I lost 21-19, 21-17.
“It felt good winning against him as I had familiarised myself with his style of play and tried to counter-attack whenever I could,” said Muhammad Thaqif.
Muhammad Thaqif returning a serve to his opponent during the Gombak MSSD Badminton Championship.
He also clinched the champion’s title in the Boys’ Doubles Under-18, partnering schoolmate Mohammad Khairil Benjamin Mohd Sarman.
The duo beat Lim Yik Yong and Soon Ming Hao from SMK Taman Desa 19-21, 21-16, 21-13.
“I was nervous during the first set and made a lot of unforced errors, which caused us to lose,” said Mohammad Khairil.
“But we picked up the second set as I tried to set the ball for Thaqif to smash,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nur Fatimah Nadhirah Ismanazir from SMK Taman Melawati topped the Girls’ Singles Under-15 category when she defeated Nur Aliya Nabila Rosni Zamuddin from SMK Taman Desa 2 in straight sets 21-11, 21-19.
“I am very happy to have won the match because this is my first time participating in a MSSD championship.
“I expected a tough fight and at first, my opponent made me run a lot during the game, which was tiring.
“Luckily, my drop shots threw her off her game,” she said.
Nur Fatimah also grabbed her second champion’s title partnering schoolmate Diana Danielle Robert to defeat Nur Aliya and Wafaa Irdina Mokhlis from SMK Taman Desa 2 — 21-14, 22-20 — in the Girls’ Doubles Under-15 category.
The winners were presented with certificates during the closing ceremony.
SMK Taman Desa 2 was named overall champion with a medal tally of two gold, two silver and four bronze at the event that was hosted by SMK Rawang.
MSSD Gombak technical chairman Jeyaseelan Anthony said close to 500 players participated.
“A total of 392 games were played in eight categories for boys’ and girls’ Under-15 and Under-18 singles and doubles categories.
“The competitors will go through centralised training from July 12 to 14, where potential shuttlers will be selected to represent Gombak in the Selangor School Sports Council (MSSS) Badminton Championship from July 25 to 28,” he said.Championship finals resultsGirls’ Singles U15: Nur Fatimah Nadhirah Ismanazir bt Nur Aliya Nabila Rosni Zamuddin 21-11, 21-19
Boys’ Singles U15: Ifwat Sufi Norsamsudin bt Lai Lok Yin 12-21, 21-12, 21-14
Girls’ Singles U18: Rhenu Chandran bt Jayshree Kobinath 21-4, 21-8
Boys’ Singles U18: Muhammad Thaqif Shaz Mohd Shazlan bt Salehuddin Ali Sadikin 21-13, 21-12
Girls’ Doubles U15: Nur Fatimah Nadhirah Ismanazir - Diana Danielle Anak Robert bt Nur Aliya Nabila Rosni Zamuddin - Wafaa Irdina Mokhlis 21-14, 22-20
Boys’ Doubles U15: Ifwat Sufi Norsamsudin - Muhammad Zulkifli Hilaluzzaman bt Wan Fahrin Imran Wan Kamarul Azulan - Muhammad Khayri Mohd Khaizal 21-18, 21-18
Girls’ Doubles U18: Rhenu Chandran - Nurul Afriena Zaifulizman bt Jayshree Kopinath - Logeshwari Manimaran 17-21, 21-13, 21-12
Boys’ Doubles U18: Muhammad Thaqif Shaz Mohd Shazlan - Mohammad Khairil Benjamin Mohd Sarman bt Lim Yik Yong -Soon Ming Hao 19-21, 21-16, 21-13
