Louis Lee - Instagram
IPOH: Shuttler Louis Lee made a dream start in his career as a national player after storming into the boys’ singles final of the Under-18 National Championships.
Just three weeks after joining the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), the 16-year-old Louis closed in on the title after battling past teammate Tiew Wei Jie 15-10, 6-15, 15-5 in the semi-finals at the Academy Badminton Perak in Ipoh yesterday.
Louis was thrilled to book his spot in the title match against another BAM player Kong Wei Xiang.
"It’s a good start for me as I have reached the final just three weeks after joining BAM," said Louis, who hails from Penang.
"I’m very happy after only making it into the round of 16 last year. This is my first Under-18 national meet final.
"It will be tough for me in the final but I will to give it my all to try to win the title."
Meanwhile, Wei Xiang justified his top seed status when he dethroned defending champion Razeeq with a hard fought 13-15, 17-15, 15-11 victory.
In the women’s singles, Ooi Shan Zi defeated reigning Under-21 champion Lim Zhi Shin 15-10, 15-10 to set-up a meeting with another BAM player Eng Ler Qi.
Ler Qi ended the run of Low Zi Yu, coming out on top 15-12, 15-7.
Zi Yu though stayed on course for the girls’ doubles title when she combined well with Dania Sofea Zaidi to beat Lee Joinne-Nicole Tan 15-7, 15-11.
Zi Yu and Dania, who are the top seeds, will be strong favourites in the final against teammates Carine Tee-Lee Mun.
It was double joy for Dania when she also reached the mixed doubles final with Datu Anif Isaac and the duo will take on teammates Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan for the crown.
Anif also has an opportunity to win the boys’ doubles title with Damien Ling when they face Negri Sembilan’s Heng Zi Hin and Putrajaya’s Ethan Joon.
RESULTS
Boys’ singles: Kong Wei Xiang bt Razeeq Danial Roslie 13-15, 17-15, 15-11; Louis Lee bt Tiew Wei Jie 15-10, 6-15, 15-5.
Boys’ doubles: Datu Anif Isaac-Damien Ling bt Mohd Shazmir Irfan-Pang Khai Zhe 9-15, 17-15, 15-5; Heng Zi Hin-Ethan Joon (Neg-Put) bt Mohd Nur Azhar Zunaide-Siau Yu Hang (Sab-Joh) w.o.
Girls’ singles: Eng Ler Qi bt Low Zi Yu 15-12, 15-7; Oo Shan Zi bt Lim Zhi Shin 15-10, 15-10.
Girls’ doubles: Carine Tee-Lee Mun bt Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan-Nur Aina Maisarah 15-12, 15-13; Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu bt Lee Joinne-Nicole Tan 15-7, 15-11.
Mixed doubles: Datu Anif Isaac-Dania Sofea Zaidi bt Mohd Shazmir Irfan-Nicole Tan 15-12, 15-12; Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan bt Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim-Rachel Tan 15-10, 15-10.
Boys’ singles: Kong Wei Xiang bt Chua Yi Xuan (Ked) 15-13, 15-9; Razeeq Danial Roslie bt Ayu Fu Sheng 15-5, 12-15, 15-10; Louis Lee bt Branson Hee 15-11, 16-14; Tiew Wei Jie bt Syed Harraz Syed Muzir (Mel) 15-10, 15-13.
Boys’ doubles: Datu Anif Isaac-Damien Ling bt Daniel Tan-Louis Tan (Joh-Ked) 15-11, 15-7; Mohd Shazmir Irfan-Pang Khai Zhe bt Ahmad Qaid Darwisy-Syed Harraz Syed Muzir (Mel) 15-10, 13-15, 15-10; Heng Zi Hin-Ethan Joon (Neg-Put) bt Lee Ming Zhou-Wong Yu Hang 15-10, 15-11.
Girls’ singles: Eng Ler Qi bt Saidatul Saadiah (Sab) 15-4, 15-11; Low Zi Yu bt Lee Mun 15-11, 12-15, 15-6; Lim Zhi Shin bt Carine Tee 7-15, 15-9, 15-8; Oo Shan Zi bt Chua Jing Xuan (Sab) 15-3, 15-11.
Girls’ doubles: Carine Tee-Lee Mun bt Tan Xin Yu-Teh Xin Ying 15-11, 15-6; Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan-Nur Aina Maisarah bt Chermaine Goh-Ong Xin Ru 15-17, 15-12, 15-5; Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu bt Nicole Chau-Teh Si Yan 15-7; 15-7; Lee Joinne-Nicole Tan 15-10, 15-4.
Mixed doubles: Datu Anif Isaac-Dania Sofea Zaidi bt Isaiah Shim-Ng Wen Xi (Sab-Pah) 15-9, 15-9; Mohd Shazmir Irfan-Nicole Tan bt Nixon Ang-Sheyeon Wong (Pen-Sel) 15-7, 16-14; bt Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim-Rachel Tan bt Damien Ling-Teh Si Yan 15-6, 9-15, 15-7; Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan bt Loh Chee Kiat-Cheng Pei En 15-10, 16-14 (Per).
