June Wei heads to Taiwan with big smile after lifting Lin Dan Cup for fourth time

Cheam June Wei with the trophy while Lin Dan is second from right (front row).

PETALING JAYA: Independent men's singles shuttler Cheam June Wei heads into the Taiwan Open full of confidence after winning a record fourth Lin Dan Cup title in Chenzhou on Sunday.

June Wei defeated former world No. 11 Zhao Jun Peng 15-13, 9-15, 15-13 in the final to become the first player to win all four editions of the men's singles title at the invitational tournament.

The Malaysian also collected a lucrative 200,000 yuan (RM120,800) winner's prize after negotiating seven matches in just 48 hours.

Having previously won the title in Shenzhen in 2023, Macau in 2024 and Jincheng last year, June Wei has now collected an estimated 1.1 million yuan (RM664,000) from the tournament.

"To be honest, my mind was blank when the score was 13-13 in the deciding game. I was just trying to fight for every point.

"Thank you to the fans in Chenzhou for coming to support us. Thank you very much," said June Wei after the match.

June Wei will now turn his attention to the Taiwan Open, where he returns to the conventional 21-point scoring format after competing under the Lin Dan Cup's 15-point system.

He opens his campaign in the qualifying rounds against Taiwan's Huang Ping-hsien.

Should he progress, June Wei will meet either American Garrett Tan or India's Sankar Muthusamy for a place in the main draw.

Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin will also begin in the qualifying rounds against South Korea's Choi Ji-hoon.

Meanwhile, Lee Zii Jia, Justin Hoh and Eogene Ewe have received direct entry into the main draw.

Zii Jia faces Taiwan's Liao Jhuo-fu in the opening round, while Eogene takes on India's Saneeth David.

Justin, meanwhile, has been handed a tough first-round clash against Indonesia's fifth seed Zaki Ubaidillah.