SHAH ALAM: A father’s smile is the ultimate prize for Federal Territories doubles shuttler Ethan Oh Jon Hui.
The 18-year-old Ethan and partner Damien Ling Tang Le fought brilliantly to beat Chew Jun Wei-Nixon Ang Jia Shen 21-13, 22-24, 21-14 to turn heroes for Federal Territories as they beat Penang 3-1 in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) men’s team event final on Thursday (Aug 20) at the Setia City Centre.
As the team celebrated, Ethan’s focus shifted to finding a familiar face in the crowd.
Despite a challenging couple of years marked by an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury and his departure from the national junior team, Ethan’s triumph made it all worthwhile for his father, Oh Boon Seng.
"This gold is for my dad. He's the reason I first picked up the sport and I wouldn’t have come this far without him," said Ethan after the match.
His father, a businessman today, harboured aspirations of representing the nation in badminton during his youth.
"Unfortunately there were a lot of obstacles and financial issues that stopped him. But he's given me everything that he missed out on," said Ethan.
"I’m living out his dream so everything I achieve here is in part his as well. I hope he’s proud of me."
The evening held additional significance for Ethan as it marked his reunion with Damien, 18, after the duo’s five-year partnership was split following the former's ACL and departure from the national junior set-up in 2024.
"It’s like nothing has changed. I’m grateful to be able to roll back the years and play with Damien again."
The duo will now strive for their second gold medal at the Games in the individual men’s doubles starting from Friday (Aug 21).
Meanwhile, Melaka defeated a depleted Kedah team 3-1 to secure the bronze medal in the men’s team event.
RESULTS
Men's team
Final: Federal Territories bt Penang 3-1 (Erfan Majeed Hajibegy bt Tan Kean Wei 21-17, 11-21, 24-22; Bryan Jeremy Goonting-Low Han Chen bt Tan Zhi Yang-Tiow Shi Qin 21-14, 21-16; Vincent Ma lost to Lee Jan Jireh 20-22, 13-21; Damien Ling Tang Le-Ethan Oh Joon Hui bt Chew Jun Wei-Nixon Ang Jia Shen 21-13, 22-24, 21-14).
Bronze-medal playoff: Melaka bt Kedah 3-1 (Yeow Chun Cher lost to Kee Is Qian 10-21, 15-21; Aaron Tai-Ungku Ameer Aliff bt Loh Ziheng-Pang Khai Zhe 21-15, 21-19; Lee Yen Wei bt See Yi Shin 19-21, 21-16, 21-9; Syed Harraz Sayed Muzir-Wan Mohd Darwisy (Mel) win by walkover).
Women's team
Final: Selangor bt Penang 3-0 (Eng Ler Qi bt Oo Shan Zi 21-14, 21-10; Clarissa San Yee Wen-Wong Zi Yi bt Lee Joinne-Nicole Tan Pei En 27-25, 14-21, 21-16; Carine Tee Xin Qi bt Chong Shi Ming 21-14, 21-16)
Bronze-medal match: Perak bt Sabah 3-1 (Lee Mun bt Saidatul Saadiah Muhamma 15-21, 21-19, 21-18; Chong Jie Yu-Vannee Gobi bt Lim Ke Xuan-Sarah Lim Yung Sie 21-8, 21-18; Balqis lost to Cassey Rynn Rompog 8-21, 15-21; Baavanya-Aina Maisarah bt Airish Batrishya Ahmad-Alya Nur Syarafana Nasib 21-13, 21-7).
