PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles pair Mohd Faiq Masawi-Lok Hong Quan had plenty of reasons to smile after clinching the Malaysian International Series title in Johor yesterday.
The sweet home triumph ended their 13-month title drought, with their last success coming at the junior level in the Malaysian International Junior Challenge in Kangar last year.
It was far from an easy victory for the top seeds as they were pushed to the limit by South Korea’s Kim Jae-hyeon-Lee Sang-won in the final at the Indoor Arena Educity Sports Complex.
The Malaysians prevailed 21-16, 19-21, 21-14 in a thrilling 61-minute contest to delight the home crowd.
Adding to the significance, their win also broke South Korea’s stronghold in the tournament after the nation had dominated the previous four finals.
In the mixed doubles, Kim Jae-hyun-Jang Eun-soo swept past compatriots Noh Jin-seong-Lee Ye-na 21-8, 21-18.
Women’s singles saw Kim Seong-min continue Korea’s dominance with a 21-18, 15-21, 21-14 win over Vietnam’s Bui Bich Phuong.
In the men’s singles, Park Sang-yong outlasted Indonesia’s Christian Adinata 25-23, 20-22, 21-12.
The women’s doubles crown also went to Korea through Jang Eun-seo-Kim Yu-jung, who proved too strong for Taiwan’s Chen Hsuan-ni-Hsieh Mi-yen in a 21-10, 21-17 win.
