Early exit for Fazriq, happy return for Letshanaa

Mohd Fazriq Razif in action. - filepic

FAZRIQ Razif received his baptism of fire as badminton got underway at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) yesterday when he was shown the exit in the men’s doubles first round with Cheah Wei Jie.

Fazriq-Wei Jie, representing the Federal Territories, were hoping for a medal but lost to fellow national pair Yap Roy King-Lwi Sheng Hao of Johor 21-17, 27-25 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.

Fazriq, 18, said the defeat would make him stronger and does not want to dwell in the failure but instead focus on doing well in the World Junior Championships in Santender, Spain from Oct 17-30.

Fazriq will partner Wong Vin Sean at the world meet.

“The draw is tough as we had to play a national pair but it was a learning experience for me. No regrets as I will have another Sukma to compete (2024),” said Fazriq. “Roy King-Sheng Hao managed to control the drought at the stadium while we struggled.

“I have to pick myself up and focus on doing better in the world junior with Vin Sean.”

Meanwhile, Selangor’s K. Letshanaa, who quit the national team in February due to a back injury, made a winning return in the women’s singles after defeating Kelantan’s Yap Phoi Lin 21-2, 21-13 to set up meeting with Dyvylyn Saha of Perlis.

Letshanaa made her name in 2019 when she won the national Under-18 title as a 14-year-old and joined the national back-up squad in 2020.

But a back injury curtailed her stay at the national team and having spent the last seven months on treatment and rehab, Letshanaa is looking forward to making the grade as an independent player.

“I feel good to be back on court and experience the tournament environment again. The confidence is back,” said the 19-year-old.