PETALING JAYA: Women’s singles shuttlers Oo Shan Zi and Lim Zhi Shin are both good friends but they will put their friendship aside today as they battle for the Under-21 national title.
Shan Zi, who is the joint third-fourth seed, caught the eye when she toppled second seed and reigning Under-18 national champion Eng Ler Qi 15-12, 18-20, 15-4 in the last four at the Perak Badminton Association Hall in Ipoh yesterday to book her spot in the final.
Defending champion Zhi Shin was also in fine form when she easily beat Carine Tee 15-5, 15-3.
The 18-year-old is eyeing her second consecutive title while Shan Zi, 19, is out to capture her maiden national crown.
“Zhi Shin is a good friend of mine and also a very strong opponent,” said Shan Zi, who hails from Penang just like Zhi Shin.
“Her movement on court is very good, so we will both fight our own battles. No matter what happens on court, we are still friends off it.”
Shan Zi finished second in the 2024 edition and in the Under-18 national meets in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
The youngster also won silver in the 2024 Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak.
“I hope I can win this time but I won’t put too much pressure on myself. I’ll just give my best and play my game,” said Shan Zi.
In the men’s singles, Under-18 national champion Kong Wei Xiang kept his hopes of winning the title alive after coming out on top over Branson Hee 10-15, 20-18, 15-4.
Wei Xiang will face Selangor’s Mohd Haziq Najib in the final today. Haziq defeated Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) Chong Lee Qian 15-8, 15-10 in the other last four match.
RESULTS
BAM unless stated
Men’s singles: Kong Wei Xiang bt Branson Hee 10-15, 20-18, 15-4; Mohd Haziq Najib (Sel) bt Chong Lee Qian 15-8, 15-10.
Men’s doubles: Daniel Tan-Mohd Luqman Hakim (Joh-Sel) bt Wan Abdul Latif Wan Khalid-Mohd Dennes Yusnunle (Kel) 15-11, 15-5; Mohd Shazmir Irfan-Damien Ling bt Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqariz-Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim 15-12, 12-15, 15-13.
Women’s singles: Oo Shan Zi bt Eng Ler Qi 15-12, 18-20, 15-4; Lim Zhi Shin bt Carine Tee 15-5, 15-3.
Women’s doubles: Lee Yu Shan-Wong Zhi Yi bt Celine Ng-Sheyeon Wong 13-15, 15-7, 15-13; Genevie Lim-Shahmina Wafa Rahman bt Lee Joinne-Teh Xin Ying 15-12, 15-12.
Mixed doubles: Low Han Chen-Chan Wen Tse bt Joshua Wong-Lai Ting Cen 15-9, 15-9; Loh Ziheng-Nicole Tan bt Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqariz-Teh Si Yan 15-13, 15-13.
