PETALING JAYA: Badminton legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei has hailed a memorable week for Malaysian badminton after Low Zi Yu-Genevie Lim and Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah delivered two historic titles.
Zi Yu-Genevie made history by becoming Malaysia’s first girls’ doubles world junior champions after beating Japan’s Nijika Kamata-Shizuku Kashio 15-7, 9-15, 15-12 in Cairo on Saturday (Oct 17).
A day later, Pearly-Thinaah ended Malaysia’s 18-year wait for a women’s doubles title at the Denmark Open by defeating Japan’s Hinata Suzuki-Nao Yamakita 21-18, 21-11 in the final.
The last Malaysian women’s doubles pair to win the Denmark Open were Wong Pei Tty-Chin Ee Hui in 2008.
Chong Wei, who is now the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) performance committee chairman, was delighted with the double success.
“Congratulations to Low Zi Yu and Genevie Lim for making history as Malaysia’s first women’s doubles pair to become world junior champions, ending a 34-year wait!
“This victory shows that the future of Malaysian badminton is on the right track. Keep working hard, the journey is still a long one for both of you.
“Well done too to Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah for their impressive performance in winning the Denmark Open. Your fighting spirit, understanding and confidence continue to inspire the younger generation,” said Chong Wei in a social media post.
Chong Wei also had words of encouragement for the Malaysian players who did not get the results they wanted last week.
Among them were men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who missed the chance to round off a memorable week for Malaysia after losing 8-21, 11-21 to Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri in the Denmark Open final.
“To all the Malaysian players who fought this week, whether you won or lost, never lose your confidence. I have also gone through painful defeats myself.
“But believe me, every match, every challenge and every defeat is part of the journey towards becoming a champion.
“Malaysia will always be behind all of you,” he added.
