Jinoreeka Ning (front)
PETALING JAYA: Rising squash talent Jinoreeka Ning continues to punch above her weight by clinching the girls’ Under-19 title at the National Junior Circuit Grand Finals in Seremban yesterday.
Despite being only 15, the Perak youngster boldly opted to compete in the higher age group and proved she belonged by outlasting Penang’s Emelda Camalia 5-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-3, 11-7 at the S2 Squash Complex.
"I’m really happy to have won the Under-19 category," said Jinoreeka, who won the girls’ Under-17 Grand Finals last year.
"I felt that I wasn’t playing my best game, but regardless, I’m happy to get the win."
The win has also spurred Jinoreeka’s confidence ahead of the KL International Junior Open from Dec 3-8, and the British Junior Open in January.
Meanwhile, Kedah’s Haiqal Hazim Syarudin bagged the boy’s Under-19 title after defeating Kuala Lumpur’s Raziq Putra Fakhrur Razi 11-8, 13-11, 11-9 in 28 minutes.
It was the third time both players had met on the circuit, with Raziq having won both their final meetings in the second and third legs in Perlis and Johor, respectively.
Haiqal was relieved to get past Raziq in his third try and has boosted his confidence ahead of the KL International Junior Open, where he aims to make another final appearance.
"I’m really happy. It’s mainly because I’ve never beaten Raziq before this in both the previous finals," said Haiqal.
"My next tournament will be in Kuala Lumpur and I really want to make the final again when I compete there."
RESULTS
Boys
Under-9: Jarvyn Ling (Swk) bt Varshan Francis (Prk) 11-6, 6-11, 14-12, 13-11;
Under-11: Nik Izz Dameer Norifaizal (Kel) bt Iman Dylan (Pjy) 9-11, 14-12, 5-11, 13-11, 11-2;
Under-13: Danish Zikry Shaiful Bakhtiar (Ter) bt Hisshan Nair Tan (Nse) 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 8-11, 11-8;
Under-15: W. Lokkhesh (Nse) bt Julius Tan (Sel) 9-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-0, 11-7;
Under-17: Sim Yeak Wei (Ked) bt Simarver Singh (Sel) 12-10, 11-9, 11-8;
Under-19: Haiqal Hazim Syarudin (Ked) bt Raziq Putra Fakhrur Razi (Kul) 11-8, 13-11, 11-9.
Girls
Under-9: Naira Fatinraeesya Nasrul Haqim (Kel) bt Maya Louis (Nse) 7-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-7;
Under-11: Arissa Sheikh Abd Hakim (Kul) bt B. Kavilaasri (Ked) 11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-3;
Under-13: Nurul Nisa Najihah Mohd Nazir (Ked) bt Francine Ava Faurillo (Sab) 11-9, 15-13, 9-11, 11-8;
Under-15: K. Sivapriyankaa (Sel) bt S. Avantikashrii (Sel) 11-2, 11-4, 11-6;
Under-17: Niea Chew (Sel) bt C. Sailajja (Sel) 11-4, 10-12, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9;
Under-19: Jinoreeka Ning (Prk) bt Emelda Camalia (Pen) 5-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-3, 11-7.
