Jin Wei claims easy win for Asean Schools Games gold

Jin Wei will face Moe Araki of Japan in the semi-final.

KUALA LUMPUR: There is just no stopping shuttler Goh Jin Wei.

The 15-year-old reigning world junior champion needed only 35 minutes to beat Indonesia’s Gabriela Meilani Moningka 21-11, 21-8 for the girls’ singles title in the seventh edition of the Asean Schools Games in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.

Earlier in the semi-finals, she had beaten Laksika Kanlaha of Thailand 21-8, 21-8 in just 24 minutes.

Jin Wei also made it to the girls’ doubles final with Anna Cheong Ching Yik, but they lost 21-14, 6-21, 12-21 to Indonesians Meirisa Cindy Sahputri-Nisak Puji Lestari.

And there’s more to come from the “Energizer Bunny” Jin Wei as she heads for the India International Challenge in Mumbai from Dec 9-13.

National coach Rony Agustinus said that their main goal is to help Jin Wei make steady progress in her world ranking. The youngster is at No. 143 after only playing in five international tournaments this year.

“I’m sure she will be tired now. Our next plan is to send her to the India International Challenge. We want her to improve on her world ranking by doing well there,” said Rony.

“Next year, we will also try to enter her for one or two Grand Prix Gold tournaments. She is full of energy and ... we want to tap her potential.

“We’re not pushing her or putting undue pressure on her, but we’re supporting her in the best way we can. She is just enjoying herself and we want to keep it that way.”

There was mixed fortunes for Malaysia in the boys’ events at the Asean Schools.

Ooi Zi Heng-Soh Wooi Yik defeated M. Fachricar-M. Reza Fahlevi Ihsafani of Indonesia 21-18, 21-12 in the boys’ doubles final for their first title.

Leong Jun Hao then came close to making it a day of triple joy for Malaysia, but retired after trailing 15-21, 23-21, 15-18 to Ramadhani Muhd Zulkifli of Indonesia in the boys’ singles final.