PETALING JAYA: Patience proved to be the key as Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal-Low Zi Yu ended Malaysia's 19-year wait for the mixed doubles title at the Asian Junior Championships in Yatsushiro, Japan, yesterday.
Zi Yu admitted the final against China's Zheng Weigang-Li Menghan was far from easy, especially in the second game.
The Malaysian pair looked to be on the verge of victory when they were just two points away from the title, but the Chinese fought hard to force a decider. However, Redzuan-Zi Yu kept their composure at the crucial moments to seal a 21-15, 22-20 victory in 43 minutes.
"It was a tough match. I think we were more patient than they were.
"At 20-20, we were more focused than them. The support from our teammates, even though they had already lost, was also very important. Hearing them cheering for us gave us even more motivation," said Zi Yu.
The last Malaysians to win the mixed doubles title were Tan Wee Kiong-Woon Khe Wei in Kuala Lumpur in 2007.
For Redzuan, the triumph was particularly meaningful after three disappointing outings at the championships.
The Terengganu-born shuttler made his debut in 2023 in Yogyakarta in the boys' doubles and mixed doubles events but suffered early exits. He endured similar disappointment in the following two editions in Yogyakarta in 2024 and Surakarta in 2025.
"I'm satisfied with the way I played because I was able to execute what I had worked on in training. But I still need to improve and prepare myself for the next level," said Redzuan.
Zi Yu also returned home with a girls' doubles bronze medal after she and Genevie Lim lost 21-16, 17-21, 17-21 to Japan's second seeds Aoi Banno-Yuzu Ueno in the semi-finals.
The 15-year-old said juggling two events was not difficult as both of her partners were capable of handling themselves on court, allowing her to focus on her own game.
"I don't really need to worry about my partners because they're both very strong, whether in mixed doubles or girls' doubles.
"I just focus on my own game. Of course, when they make mistakes, I encourage them a little," added Zi Yu.
FINAL RESULTS
Men's singles: Hong Tianyue (Chn) bt Fardhan Joe (Ina) 21-18, 21-19.
Men's doubles: Huang Tzu-yuan-Lin Sheng-ming (Tpe) bt Chen Ping-hsuan-Lee Wei-ting (Tpe) 21-10, 21-13.
Women's singles: Yin Yiqing (Chn) bt Zhang Yixin (Chn) 21-17, 21-15.
Women's doubles: Aoi Banno-Yuzu Ueno (Jpn) bt Ria Haga-Rio Yamakita (Jpn) 21-13, 9-21, 23-21.
Mixed doubles: Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal-Low Zi Yu (Mas) bt Zheng Weigang-Li Menghan (Chn) 21-15, 22-20.
