PETALING JAYA: One never gave up after three attempts while the other got it right in mixed doubles debut at the Asian Junior Championships.
And yesterday Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal and Low Zi Yu showed patience was the key as they ended Malaysia’s 19-year wait for the Asian mixed doubles title in Yatsushiro, Japan, yesterday.
The 17-year-old Redzuan and Zi Yu, 15, fought tooth and nail to beat China’s Zheng Weigang-Li Menghan 21-15, 22-20 final victory in 43 minutes.
The last Malaysians to win the mixed doubles title were Tan Wee Kiong-Woon Khe Wei in Kuala Lumpur in 2007.
The triumph was particularly meaningful for Redzuan after three disappointing outings at the championships.
“I’m satisfied with the way I played because I was able to execute what I had worked on in training,” said the Terengganu-born shuttler. “But I still need to improve and prepare myself for the next level,” said Redzuan.
He 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.
Zi Yu, playing in her first mixed at the junior meet, 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.
“It was a tough match. I think we were more patient than they were,” said Zi Yu. “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.”
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.
Zi Yu 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.
