Justin justifies promotion to senior ranks with Malaysian IC title

I deserve this!: Justin Hoh celebrates after beating Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin to capture the Malaysian International Challenge title.

PETALING JAYA: Singles shuttler Justin Hoh was only promoted to the senior ranks three weeks ago but has made an immediate impact.

The 18-year-old fully justified the faith shown in him by capturing the Malaysian International Challenge title after stunning his senior Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin 18-21, 21-16, 21-17 in a thrilling final at the Arena Badminton Perak in Ipoh yesterday.

Justin had been on fire throughout the tournament and had already toppled the likes of Jacky Kok (second round), Leong Jun Hao (quarter-final) and two-time national champion Lim Chi Wing (semi-final) en route to the final.

And the youngster, currently ranked No. 312 in the world, completed his giant-killing run by superbly coming from behind to beat world No. 94 Aidil.

It was Justin’s third senior title of the year after the Bonn International in Germany and Croatian Open.

“I’m very happy to win another international title this year,” said Justin.

“This tournament presented me a good opportunity to prove myself and I’m glad I did it by winning against my seniors.”

On his next target, Justin added: “Winning the title here has given me lots of confidence. After this, I hope to break into the world’s top 100 as fast as possible.”

His next assignment is the Estonian International from Jan 12-15.

Meanwhile, in the women’s singles, independent player K. Letshanaa’s fine run ended with a runner-up finish after she went down 16-21, 19-21 to Indonesia’s Yulia Susanto.

Letshanaa can still walk tall despite her loss as it was her best result since winning the Mauritius International in 2018.

In a battle between two scratch pairs in the men’s doubles final, Mohd Haikal Nazri-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani came out on top against compatriots Goh Boon Zhe-Goh Sze Fei with a 21-17, 21-16 win.

In the mixed doubles, Hoo Pang Ron-Teoh Mei Xing edged teammates Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei 18-21, 21-15, 21-19 to win their first title in only their second tournament together.

“It’s a good start for us and I’m really happy that we made it,” said Mei Xing.

“We learnt a lot in this tournament and we feel that we are getting better match by match.

“It was not easy and we have a lot to improve on.”

RESULTS

(Malaysians unless stated)

Men’s singles: Justin Hoh bt Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin 18-21, 21-16, 21-17.

Men’s doubles: Mohd Haikal Nazri-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani bt Goh Boon Zhe-Goh Sze Fei 21-17, 21-16.

Women’s singles: Yulia Susanto (Ina) bt K. Letshanaa 21-16, 21-19.

Women’s doubles: Jin Yujia-Crystal Wong (Sin) bt Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn-Atitaya Povanan (Tha) 21-12, 21-15.

Mixed doubles: Hoo Pang Ron-Teoh Mei Xing bt Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei 18-21, 21-15, 21-19.