Big dreams: Lee Mun is hoping to impress the coaches in order for her to move up to the senior team.
PETALING JAYA: Getting the nod from a former world No. 1 woman doubles shuttler Wong Pei Tty motivated youngster Lee Mun to switch from basketball to badminton - and she has no regrets.
The 16-year-old will now be making her debut at the Asian Junior Championships from July 18-27 in Solo, Indonesia in the singles event.
Pei Tty, who was No. 1 in the world with Chin Eei Hui during the duo’s playing days, guided Lee Mun in the Perak state academy four years ago.
“I followed my two older brothers and started out playing basketball in my hometown in Kampar, Perak before switching to badminton,” said Lee Mun.
“I only started playing badminton for fun since I was nine. Then I joined a training session when I was 12 and coach Pei Tty saw me and said I had talent. She helped me a lot and developed my interest to take up the sport. She has also inspired me.”
Lee Mun showed promise when she finished runners-up with Carine Tee in the girls’ doubles in the National Under-18 Championships in Ipoh in April.
The youngster also showed her versatility when she reached the semi-finals in the singles in the Under-21 National meet in January.
Currently, Lee Mun is focusing solely on the singles and hopes to make an impact in the Asian junior meet which will be her first international outing.
“I’m excited. I want to thank my coaches for giving me this opportunity to fight along with my seniors,” said Lee Mun.
“I want to take this tournament as a challenge for myself and give my best.”
Lee Mun is also hoping to impress singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen and women’s singles coach Misbun Ramdan and move up to the senior team as soon as possible.
“Currently, coach Kenneth has given me a trial period to train with the seniors,” said Lee Mun.
“He told me to train with the seniors for eight weeks and if I can cope, then I will move up to the senior team. If not, I need to perhaps wait until next year. I’m trying to catch up to my seniors but it’s not easy. There are better in terms of experience, speed and power and I have a lot to learn.”
