Justin Hoh in action against Wyman Goh yesterday
PETALING JAYA: Up-and-coming boys’ singles shuttler Justin Hoh (pic) keeps knocking on the seniors’ door.
The 16-year-old made a flying start when he won both his opening matches against 19-year-old seniors Wyman Goh and Lee Shun Yang in the 100Plus National Junior Ranking Challenge at the Academy Badminton Malaysia yesterday.
The 2019 World Junior Championships quarter-finalist beat Wyman 13-21,21-17,21-17 before returning to court to stun Shun Yang, the reigning national Under-21 champion 13-21,21-16,21-11.
“To be honest, I was very surprised by the two wins, ” said Justin.
“I played very well today. But I didn’t expect that by giving my best I could beat them because their standard is higher.
“So, it’s quite fulfilling to win both matches as I felt they didn’t hold anything back.”
Asked if the perfect start has whetted his appetite to aim higher than his initial top-three target, Justin said: “I’m not thinking too far ahead yet as there are still three matches to go.
“The next matches are going to be just as challenging, so let’s take it one match at a time.”
Justin also made a good impression in the first stage of the Ranking Challenge last month by topping the 10-player Group A (top division) standings. He finished ahead of 18-year-olds Jacky Kok and Ong Ken Yon.
Meanwhile, Ken Yon was another junior who impressed against the back-up seniors.
He was in his element when he defeated Shun Yang 21-19,21-16 and 20-year-old Ter Chun Long 21-16,21-13.
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