PETALING JAYA: A six wait is over for Malaysia as the national juniors will finally return home at least with three medals from the Asian Junior Championships.
Yesterday, the top boys’ doubles pair Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing, Siti Zulaikha Azmi (girl’s singles) and Carmen Ting- Ong Xin Yee (girls’ doubles) redeemed the country’s battered pride when they cleared their quarter-final matches to assure bronze in their respective events at the Among Rogo Sports Hall in
Malaysia have fired blanks in the last two editions in 2019 and 2023. There were no tournaments in 2020, 2021 and 2022 due to the Covid-19.
Aaron-Khai Xing defeated China’s Xiao Gaobo-Xue Ziyu 21-13, 21-14 to set up a meeting with Taiwan’s Chen Hung-ming-Tsai Cheng-han in the semi-finals.
Second seed Zulaikha beat Taiwan’s Huang Sheng-chun 21-15, 23-21 and will play third seed Xu Wenjing of China.
The last Malaysian to win a girls’ singles medal was Eoon Qi Xuan when she claimed bronze in 2017.
The biggest surprise of the day were seventh seeds Carmen-Xin Yee who defeated Indonesia’s Isyana Syahira-Rinjani Kwinara 23-21, 16-21, 21-15. They will play third seeds Chen Fanshutian-Liu Jiayue of China next
It was Carmen-Xin Yee’s first win against the Indonesians after losing their previous two meetings.
National team manager Vincent Chin said the girls had displayed a stellar performance as they won against the Indonesians on their home turf.
“It was an unexpected win because it’s not easy to play against Indonesians in their country, the pressure is high,” said Vincent.
“Despite the local supporters, our girls defended well and gave us a good performance to secure the bronze medal.
Xin Yee-Carmen will be looking to do better than Pearly Tan-Toh Ee Wei, who were the last girls’ doubles pair to win - a silver medal in 2018.
Vincent also hoped for Aaron-Khai Xing to keep their momentum going.
“They have been very consistent and it’s evident that they have the standard to compete at a high level,” said Vincent.
Ng Tze Yong-Chia Wei Jie were the last boy’s doubles pair to win bronze at the tournament back in 2017.
Malaysians only
Quarter-finals
Boys’ doubles: Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing bt Xiao Gaobo-Xue Ziyu (Chn) 21-13, 21-14; Chen Hung-ming-Tsai Cheng-han (Tpe) bt Loh Ziheng-Tan Zhi Yang 21-17, 21-17.
Girls’ singles: Siti Zulaikha Azmi bt Huang Sheng-chun (Tpe) 21-15, 23-21.
Girls’ doubles: Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting bt Isyana Syahira-Rinjani Kwinara (Ina) 23-21, 16-21, 21-15.
Mixed doubles: Lin Xiangyi-Liu Yuanyuan (Chn) bt Datu Anif Isaac-Dania Sofea Zaidi 19-21, 21-14, 21-14.
