Justin Hoh
PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttlers Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh need to step up their game if they are to mount a serious medal challenge at the SEA Games in Thailand from Dec 7-14.
With the Games fast approaching, Jun Hao and Justin have only two tournaments left to raise their game – the Japan Masters starting today in Kumamoto and the Australian Open next week in Sydney.
It will be Jun Hao’s second appearance in the Games while Justin will be making his debut.
The 26-year-old Jun Hao won bronze in the last edition in Cambodia in 2023 and will be hoping to upgrade the colour of medal this time around.
Justin, who missed out on the last Games due to injury, will be out to capture a medal in his maiden outing.
Singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen is hoping that both his charges can find some form ahead of the SEA Games.
“Jun Hao reached the final in Japan last year and I hope the good run he enjoyed will fire him up for the tournament this time. I want to see how Justin performs as well,” said Jonassen.
Leong Jun Hao
It will not be easy for both in SEA Games as they will face a stern challenge from the likes of 2023 world champion and home favourite Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Singapore’s 2021 world title winner Loh Kean Yew and reigning Korean Masters champion Jason Teh and Indonesia’s rising star Alwi Farhan.
Jun Hao and Justin have also struggled for consistency this year, only showing glimpses of their abilities.
The national No. 1 Jun Hao, currently ranked No. 22 in the world, has upset top players like China’s world No. 4 Li Shifeng, Indonesia’s world No. 5 Jonatan Christie and Japan’s world No. 10 Kodai Naraoka but has not reached a semi-final this year.
Jun Hao progressed as far as the last eight only twice in the Singapore Open and Hong Kong Open.
World No. 37 Justin’s best result was a runner-up finish in the Macau Open in August but he has not reached a semi-final in any other competitions.
In the Japan Masters, Jun Hao has a tricky opening match against Indian veteran H. S. Prannoy while Justin will play a qualifier in the first round.
Meanwhile, Malaysia will also be represented in the men’s singles by independent player Jacky Kok, who will begin his campaign in the qualifying round against Taiwan’s Huang Yu-kai.
In the women’s singles, K. Letshanaa will face Azebaijan’s Keisha Fatimah while Wong Ling Ching will meet a qualifier.
