KUCHING: The promising showing from junior shuttler Oo Shan Zi (pic) in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) is a positive sign for the women’s singles department in the country.
Malaysia have long struggled to produce top women’s singles shuttlers but there is hope that the current crop of young national players including Shan Zi could come good in the future.
Shan Zi, who represented Penang and was making her debut in the Sukma, caught the eye when she stunned national No. 1 K. Letshanaa from Selangor in the last four before going down to No. 2 and Sarawak’s Wong Ling Ching in the final.
Despite missing out on the gold, the 17-year-old Shan Zi’s fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude could take her far in her career.
“I had no pressure when I played against Letshanaa and I just played my best,” said Shan Zi.
“This is my first Sukma and I feel happy that I won the semi-final match but I’m still not satisfied with my result in the final.
“I have to be more confident in my own self, trust myself and be more stable in court.
“Overall, my performance in this Sukma has given me a boost for my next tournaments. I will be competing in the World Tour Super 100 Indonesian Masters (Aug 27-Sept 1) after this.”
Shan Zi is still eligible to play in the Asian and World Junior Championships and could be selected for the latter from Sept 30-Oct 13 in Nanchang, China.
The youngster did compete in the Asian Junior meet in July in Yogyakarta but crashed out in the first round and will be keen to do better if she is called upon in the world juniors.
Meanwhile, BAM have another upcoming singles player, Siti Zulaikha Azmi, who was forced to miss the Sukma due to injury.
The 18-year-old Melaka-born lass won bronze in the Asian Juniors and will be Malaysia’s best hope for a medal again in the singles in the world junior meet.
