PETALING JAYA: Defending champions Low Zi Yu-Dania Sofea Zaidi of Johor were knocked out in the women's doubles semi-finals of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) badminton competition on Sunday (Aug 23).
The duo playing for the first since August as Dania had to go for a surgery, went down 14-21, 21-15, 18-21 to Perak’s Chong Jie Yu-Vanee Gobi at the Setia City Convention Centre in Setia Alam.
That was one of the biggest upsets of the day.
The mixed doubles final today will see close friends Aaron Tai and Kang Khai Xing on opposite sides of the net.
The two men’s doubles players made history together when they won the world junior title in 2024, but are currently playing with different partners following a major reshuffle in the national squad under head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi.
At Sukma, Aaron is partnering Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan for Melaka as they look to retain the gold medal they won in Sarawak two years ago.
Khai Xing, meanwhile, will partner Chan Wen Tse as they bid to deliver the gold for Kelantan.
Aaron does not want the pressure of defending the title to affect them, especially with his close friend on the opposite side of the net.
"We just want to enjoy the match. To be honest, we are not even thinking about the title," said Aaron.
Aaron-Noraqilah booked their place in the final after beating Penang’s Tan Zhi Yang-Nicole Tan 21-15, 21-16.
Khai Xing-Wen Tse also overcame Penang opposition, beating Nixon Ang-Tan Zhing Hui 21-7, 21-13.
Meanwhile, the men’s doubles final will be an all-Federal Territories affair with Bryan Jeremy Goonting-Low Han Chen and teammates Damien Ling-Ethan Oh.
RESULTS
Semi-finals
Men's singles: Mohd Haziq Najib (Sel) bt Chong Lee Qian (Ked) 21-12, 20-22, 21-13; Ayu Fu Sheng (Nse) bt Kee Is Qian (Ked) 21-16, 21-15.
Men's doubles: Bryan Jeremy Goonting-Low Han Chen (FT) Darrent Lim-Isyrad Hafizin Ibrahim (Swk) 21-12, 21-19; Damien Ling-Ethan Oh (FT) bt Toh E Hern-Wee Yee Tern (Joh) 14-21, 22-20, 21-17.
Women's singles: Siti Zulaikha Azmi (Mel) bt Eng Ler Qi (Sel) 18-21, 21-13, 21-11; Lee Kay Xin (FT) bt Lee Mun (Prk) 21-10, 11-21, 21-19.
Women's doubles: Chong Jie Yu-Vanee Gobi (Prk) bt Low Zi Yu-Dania Sofea Zaidi (Joh) 21-14, 15-21, 21-18.
Mixed doubles: Aaron Tai-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan (Mel) bt Tan Zhi Yang-Nicole Tan (Pen) 21-15, 21-16; Kang Khai Xing-Chan Wen Tse (Kel) bt Nixon Ang-Tan Zhing Hui (Pen) 21-7, 21-13.
