Finally: Professional shuttlers Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong lift the men's doubles title at the National Championships. — ART CHEN/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Professional men’s doubles pair Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong finally ended 2025 on a high note by emerging as the national champions after a challenging year.
Hang Yee-Eng Cheong capitalised on the absence of several top national players to defeat fellow professionals Nur Aidil Adha-Helmie Zulhaidee Zulman 24-22, 21-17 in the final at the Badminton Hall of the Precinct 11 Neighbourhood Complex in Putrajaya.
Once hailed as one of the country’s most promising men’s doubles pairs, Hang Yee-Eng Cheong reached a career-high world ranking of 37 in 2023. However, their form dipped this year, with several early exits leaving them ranked 59th.
The victory was therefore a welcome relief, made even sweeter as it avenged their loss in the 2023 final to Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King.
"This year we were a bit lost, our minds weren’t fully focused. But winning this has really lifted our spirits.
"It’s also a good start for us as we prepare for the 2026 season, and it has definitely boosted our confidence. We’re really happy to have claimed this title," said Eng Cheong.
Earlier in the women’s doubles event, second seeds Lee Xin Jie and Low Yeen Yuan denied the young pair Low Zi Yu and Nuraina Maisarah Hatta the chance to claim the title, winning 17-21, 21-18, 21-12.
Xin Jie and Yeen Yuan, both former trainees at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara, admitted they did not expect to win the title, as they had not prepared extensively due to their commitments as university students.
"It’s a personal achievement for me. We haven’t been training as much. I left national team last July, so since then it hasn’t been like before. I still keep up with my own gym sessions, but I’m not sure about Xin Jie.
"Sometimes we just play socially. It’s not the intense training with multi-shuttle sessions and 5am starts like before. Now I’m studying at the University of Malaya, so things are different,” said Yeen Yuan.
Earlier in the mixed doubles event, Wee Yee Tern-Clarissa San battled past Tan Zhi Yang-Nicole Tan in a thrilling contest that ended 24-22, 19-21, 21-17.
Shaneesa Shahidi lived up to expectations to clinch the women’s singles title after defeating Teoh Sue Mei 21-15, 15-21, 21-12.
RESULTS
Men's doubles: Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong (Pen) bt Nur Aidil Adha-Helmie Zulhaidee Zulman (Sel-Kul) 24-22, 21-17.
Women's singles: Shaneesa Shahid bt Teoh Sue Mei 21-15, 15-21, 21-12.
Women's doubles: Lee Xin Jie-Low Yeen Yuan bt Low Zi Yu-Nuraina Maisarah 21-17, 18-21, 12-21.
Mixed doubles: Wee Yee Tern-Clarissa San bt Tan Zhi Yang-Nicole Tan 24-22, 19-21, 21-17.
