KUALA LUMPUR: Youngster Soong Joo Ven is looking at making a significant breakthrough at the Perak Open, which will be held in Ipoh from Oct 7-12.
The 19-year-old Joo Ven recently competed in the Indonesian Masters in Palembang, where he lost to fourth seed Anand Pawar of India in the third round. In fact, he has lost to seeded players in all international tournaments so far this year.
The former national No. 1 junior player admitted that his first year in the senior ranks has been a challenge.
“There are improvements but I’m unable to beat the seeded players. Sometimes, I’m able to take a good lead but I can’t finish them off. I need to overcome this barrier,” said Joo Ven.
Joo Ven, the world No. 188, is one of the back-up players training under coach Hendrawan. The others are Soo Teck Zhi, Tan Kian Meng, Chong Yee Han, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Goh Soon Huat, Goh Giap Chin, Cheam June Wei and Mohd Azriyn Ayub.
One of them is expected to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
“Our coach (Hendrawan) is really pushing us hard in training. The main focus is to build up our physical condition. I’m confident that favourable results will come... eventually,” said Joo Ven.
“I’m still searching for my first international senior title. Next year is very important for us. The Olympic Games qualifying period will begin in May and we really need to step up.
“My next assignment is the Perak Open and, hopefully, I’ll be able to raise my game.”
The Perak Open is the first leg of the National Circuit this year because the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) could not find the right time to stage their premier local tournament due to the hectic international schedule.
The local tournament is compulsory for all national players and is open to all aspiring state and junior players, thus providing a perfect platform for unknowns to strut their stuff.
The second leg of the National Circuit will be held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, from Dec 10-14; followed by the National Grand Prix Finals in Terengganu from Dec 27-30.
In the absence of 10-time national champion Lee Chong Wei, Misbun Ramdan Misbun won the national title in 2012 and Chong Wei Feng nicked it last year.
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