Teen female paddler makes history by qualifying for Youth Olympics

In good stead: Alice Chang (left), posing with her coach Beh Lee Fong, is set to play in the Youth Olympic Games after winning the regional qualifying tournament in Cook Islands yesterday.

PETALING JAYA: Teenager Alice Chang was in wonderland after becoming the first Malaysian female paddler to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from Oct 6-18.

The 17-year-old won the YOG qualifying tournament held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands yesterday. The Malaysian eighth seed started off by beating fifth seed Michelle Wu of Australia 4-2 (7-11, 12-10, 12-10, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7) to reach the last four in the girls’ singles.