PETALING JAYA: National doubles shuttlers Low Zi Yu-Genevie Lim made history on Saturday (Oct 17) when they emerged as the first Malaysian duo to win the girls' doubles title at the World Junior Championships since the tournament’s inception in 1992.
It was a particularly sweet victory for 16-year-old Zi Yu, who had to settle for silver at the past two Championships, partnering Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan in 2025 and Dania Sofea Zaidi in 2024.
Her new partner, 18-year-old Genevie, proved to be the missing piece.
"I'm so happy to get the title this time. I was so nervous, I thought I was going to take the third silver medal," said Zi Yu.
"Our opponents were tough but I'm so proud to get this gold medal for my country."
The second-seeded Zi Yu-Genevie started the final against Japan’s Nijika Kamata-Shizuku Kashio in dominant form, winning the first game 15-7.
Although the Japanese duo struck back in the second, Zi Yu and Genevie remained resolute to win the decider in a 45-minute match, with a final score of 15-7, 9-15, 15-12 at the Cairo International Stadium.
Previously, Pearly Tan-Toh Ee Wei also held the nation’s best record in the girls’ doubles at the Championships, finishing as runners-up at the 2018 edition in Markham.
