Thrust into hotseat: Jun Hao is taking on the responsibility as the first men’s singles for the first time in the team event.
NATIONAL shuttler Leong Jun Hao will be entering uncharted territory when he takes on the responsibility as the first men’s singles for the first time in the team event.
Jun Hao, who is known as a team specialist, has always played in the second or third singles behind the likes of the country’s No. 1 Lee Zii Jia and No. 2 Ng Tze Yong in the Thomas Cup and Asian Team Championships.
This time, the 23-year-old is set to make his debut in the biennial Games and will be leading from the front.
World No. 61 Jun Hao is the most experienced member in the team and hopes to justify his lead role.
“It feels great to be given the responsibility of playing the first singles. This is the first time that I will play this role in a senior tournament,” said Jun Hao.
“I’ve managed to perform well in most of the team events before this and it gives me more confidence.
“Hopefully, I can give my team the best start possible.”
Jun Hao played an integral role in helping the men’s team capture last year’s Asian Team championships title.
In a crucial group stage tie against Japan, Jun Hao stayed composed to beat Koshiro Moriguchi 21-18, 21-15 and handed Malaysia a narrow 3-2 win which allowed them to finish top of Group B.
He was also part of the 2022 Thomas Cup Finals squad in Bangkok.
In total, Jun Hao has featured in seven team events, including the 2018 and 2020 Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok and Aarhus, and the 2020 Asian Team Championships in Manila.
Meanwhile, world No. 93 Lee Shun Yang is expected to play in second singles while Ong Ken Yon (No. 102) will battle it out for the third singles spot with Jacky Kok (No. 146).
In last year’s Games in Vietnam, the men’s team finished with a silver after losing 0-3 to Thailand.
The team competition starts tomorrow at the Morodok Techno badminton hall in Phnom Penh.
