PETALING JAYA: One big win, but Leong Jun Hao could not keep the momentum going at the Asian Games.
After stunning world No. 1 Jonatan Christie in the men’s team event, Jun Hao failed to reproduce the same level in the individual competition.
On Saturday, he went down 16-21, 11-21 to Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan in 43 minutes in the third round at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium.
It was a sharp contrast to his sensational victory over Jonatan in the quarter-final tie against Indonesia in the men’s team event, which Malaysia eventually lost 2-3.
National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen acknowledged Jun Hao’s up-and-down form.
“It was a case of not being able to sustain the quality which he displayed in the team event, but also full credit to his opponent for making it very difficult to do so,” said Jonassen.
Alwi also played a key role in Indonesia’s 3-1 win over China in the team final.
Jonassen had mixed feelings about Malaysia’s overall singles performance at the Games.
“True, there were ups and downs. In the team, we had strong performances. The women also did well in the team.
“In the individual event, though, it was a case of lost opportunities where we should have done better.
“My expectations and belief in our players were high going into the Asiad, and I believed they could have gone further.”
Jonassen admitted the players would return home with some hard lessons.
“We must overcome them (the shortcomings) if we are to really move forward and challenge the best players in the world,” he said.
“There are many events ahead for the players, but my overall attention will once again be on the long-term development of our singles players, both juniors and seniors.
“If I have to be more specific, then it would be the championships next year where we can win some medals and make the country proud of the players’ achievements.”
