Singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao.—AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star.
PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttlers Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh have withdrawn from the Australian Open in Sydney at the eleventh hour.
Jun Hao was slated to meet compatriot Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin in the first round on Tuesday (Nov 18), but made a surprising decision to pull out of the tournament.
Jun Hao's teammate Eogene Ewe has been promoted to the main draw from the qualifying rounds in Jun Hao's place and will take on Aidil instead.
Both Jun Hao and Justin are at home training in preparation for the SEA Games in Thailand next month.
Said national singles head coach Kenneth Jonassen: "We have decided to stay back and get an additional week to prepare for the SEA Games for both Leong and Justin."
He is one of the few who have pulled out following similiar decisions by Lee Zii Jia; Viktor Axelsen and Ander Antonsen of Denmark, Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Indonesia's Anthony Ginting.
