PETALING JAYA: Like any aspiring shuttler, Ong Zhen Yi (pic) aims to make it big on the international stage just like his idol, China superstar Lin Dan.
And the 15-year-old has taken his first baby steps towards his dream by becoming the national champion of his age group.
The Penang-born Zhen Yi defeated Eogene Ewe Oon 21-17, 21-16 to win the National Under-18 Championships’ second leg in Alor Setar on Sunday.
Zhen Yi made the most of the opportunity to claim his biggest title in the absence of his Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) seniors.
The country’s top juniors such as Mohd Shaqeem Eiman Shahyar, the first leg champion, Jacky Kok Jing Hong and Lee Shun Yang are currently competing in the World Junior Championships in Kazan, Russia.
However, the eighth seeded Zhen Yi did not have it easy as he had to beat six opponents including second seed Mohd Fazriq Razif 21-15, 19-21, 21-10 in the semi-finals.
“I’m thrilled to bits to have won the crown. This has to be my most memorable title to date,” said Zhen Yi, who won the MSSM Under-12 title before being roped into BJSS in 2016.
“Of course the absence of my seniors made a difference but to be honest, it’s just as tough as always and still I had to play really well.
“In the first leg (in Kuala Lumpur), I did well to reach the semi-finals. Hopefully these two results will get me into major tournaments like the Asian and World Junior Championships next year.”
Zhen Yi added that beating Fazriq for the second time in as many meetings gave him extra satisfaction.
“Fazriq is one of the best Under-16 stars in BJSS at the moment as he has been doing really well lately by winning a few international titles,” added Zhen Yi.
Zhen Yi hopes to emulate Lin Dan’s feat by becoming an Olympic and world champion one day.
“I really look up to him. He has won practically everything. Hopefully, one day, I will be as good as him,” he said.
And the 15-year-old has taken his first baby steps towards his dream by becoming the national champion of his age group.
The Penang-born Zhen Yi defeated Eogene Ewe Oon 21-17, 21-16 to win the National Under-18 Championships’ second leg in Alor Setar on Sunday.
Zhen Yi made the most of the opportunity to claim his biggest title in the absence of his Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) seniors.
The country’s top juniors such as Mohd Shaqeem Eiman Shahyar, the first leg champion, Jacky Kok Jing Hong and Lee Shun Yang are currently competing in the World Junior Championships in Kazan, Russia.
However, the eighth seeded Zhen Yi did not have it easy as he had to beat six opponents including second seed Mohd Fazriq Razif 21-15, 19-21, 21-10 in the semi-finals.
“I’m thrilled to bits to have won the crown. This has to be my most memorable title to date,” said Zhen Yi, who won the MSSM Under-12 title before being roped into BJSS in 2016.
“Of course the absence of my seniors made a difference but to be honest, it’s just as tough as always and still I had to play really well.
“In the first leg (in Kuala Lumpur), I did well to reach the semi-finals. Hopefully these two results will get me into major tournaments like the Asian and World Junior Championships next year.”
Zhen Yi added that beating Fazriq for the second time in as many meetings gave him extra satisfaction.
“Fazriq is one of the best Under-16 stars in BJSS at the moment as he has been doing really well lately by winning a few international titles,” added Zhen Yi.
Zhen Yi hopes to emulate Lin Dan’s feat by becoming an Olympic and world champion one day.
“I really look up to him. He has won practically everything. Hopefully, one day, I will be as good as him,” he said.
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