PETALING JAYA: Selangor men’s singles shuttler Mohd Haziq Najib ended his Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) Selangor campaign on a high after beating Negri Sembilan’s Ayu Fu Sheng to win the gold medal on Monday (Aug 24).
Haziq made a strong start at the Setia City Convention Centre in Setia Alam, but lost his focus in the second game before recovering in the decider to win 21-12, 15-21, 21-15.
The victory came as a surprise even to Haziq, who knew he was up against several national players while he competes independently under the New Vision Badminton Academy in Petaling Jaya.
Fu Sheng was also no pushover, having stunned Perak’s Eogene Ewe in the second round.
"I’m grateful to win today and contribute a gold medal to Selangor. I’m very proud," said Haziq.
"In the first game, I did not think too much and just played my game. The second was more difficult because I was playing against the drift.
"In the deciding game, I just listened to my coach. Once I had the lead, I tried to hold on to it and not allow my opponent to catch up."
Kee Is Qian took bronze after beating teammate Chong Lee Qian 21-13, 21-17 in an all-Kedah playoff.
In the women’s singles, Melaka’s Siti Zulaikha Azmi lived up to expectations by beating the Federal Territories’ (FT) Lee Kay Xin 21-12, 21-15 to claim the gold medal.
The victory also made up for Siti’s disappointment at Sukma Sarawak two years ago, from which she returned home empty-handed.
"I’m very satisfied because I managed to show everyone that I could succeed today," she said.
Perak’s Lee Mun took bronze after beating Selangor’s Eng Ler Qi 21-17, 21-17.
In the men’s doubles, the all-FT final went the way of Bryan Jeremy Goonting-Low Han Chen, who beat Damien Ling-Ethan Oh 21-16, 21-12.
Johor’s Toh E Hern-Wee Yee Tern took bronze after edging Sarawak’s Darrent Lim-Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim 21-17, 17-21, 21-18.
In the women’s doubles, Perak’s Chong Jie Yu-Vanee Gobi came from behind to deny FT’s Leong Hwee Ling-Teh Xin Ying 15-21, 22-20, 21-18 and claim the gold medal.
Johor’s Low Zi Yu-Dania Sofea Zaidi took bronze after beating Selangor’s Sheyeon Wong-Tan Xin Yu 21-14, 21-14.
In the mixed doubles, Melaka's Aaron Tai-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan retained the gold medal they won at Sukma Sarawak two years ago by beating Kelantan’s Kang Khai Xing-Chan Wen Tse 21-18, 21-23, 21-8.
Penang’s Tan Zhi Yang-Nicole Tan took bronze after beating their state teammates Nixon Ang-Tan Zhing Hui 21-11, 21-10.
