Aaron-Khai Xing’s smashing run keeps China on high alert

PETALING JAYA: Shuttlers Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing have signalled a warning to powerhouse China with a flawless run in the mixed team event of the Asian Junior Championships that concluded in Yogyakrta on Monday.

They were the only pair to beat China’s Hu Keyuan-Lin Xiangyi in Malaysia’s 1-3 defeat in the semi-finals and it has put them in a confident mood ahead of the individual events.

The individual events of the Asian Juniors begin today where the top seeded Aaron-Khai Xing are Malaysia’s best bets to end the country’s seven-year title drought.

The last Malaysian winner was boys’ singles champion Leong Jun Hao in 2017.

Although China lead the way with 10 boys’ doubles titles, Malaysia have won four but the last was achieved by Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang in 2008.

Malaysia have not won a medal since Pearly Tan-Toh Ee Wei’s silver and a mixed team bronze in Jakarta in 2018 and it was a motivating start for the team.

Khai Xing said the good run was due to their good understanding on court.

“Our communication has been good and this helped us perform better and the reason for our good run is the never-say-die attitude. We are hoping to keep up our form in the individual events,” said Khai Xing.

National junior chief coach Jeffer Rosobin was also relieved as his squad has been under tremendous pressure due to the failure to win any medals in the last two editions (2019 and 2023).

“The entire team played well to secure the bronze medal. It’s fine start for us and we want to get better from here,” said Jeffer.

“The players must have strong character and mental strength to fight all the way in the individual events.

“Aaron-Khai Xing played well in the mixed team and boys’ doubles is an open field. They should take advantage of the situation and fight for the title.

“The other outstanding performer in the team event is (Mohd) Faiq (Masawi) and I expect him to do well in the boys’ singles.”

Aaron-Khai Xing will have to be prepared for a tougher battle as they have three more China pairs besides Keyuan-Xiangyi to contend with. They are fourth seeds Chen Yongrui-Chen Zhehan, Xiao Gaobo-Xue Ziyu and Chen Junting-Liu Junrong.

The duo, who have a first round bye, will have a first test most likely against Toshio Nishio-Yugo Takano of Japan in the second.

Loh Zhiheng-Tan Zhi Yang, Goh Yi Qin-Lok Hong Quan and Isyraf Hafizin-Ahmad Redzuan are the other Malaysians playing in the boys doubles.