PETALING JAYA: Melaka’s U. Thanusaa could not have asked for a better farewell to the Malaysia Games (Sukma) after capping her final appearance with a memorable double gold feat.
The 20-year-old Thanusaa rose to the occasion to help Melaka beat Negri Sembilan 2-1 in the women's team final at the Astaka MBPJ Squash Complex on Friday (Aug 21).
Melaka were on the back foot after Negri’s Chen Yu Jie secured the first point by defeating S. Janani 11-4, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4.
Thanusaa then stepped up to force a decider, coming from a set down to beat Harleein Tan 7-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-9.
Goh Zhi Xuan sealed the win for Melaka with an 11-8, 12-14, 11-8, 11-1 win over V. Haneesha.
It was Thanusaa's second gold, having ended Melaka’s 32-year wait for the singles crown on Tuesday.
"Winning two golds feels incredible. I’m feeling so grateful, especially after coming back from injury," said Thanusaa, who plays collegiate squash at Trinity College in Connecticut.
"I lost the first set and felt the pressure all on me to get the win. But I was confident in myself to turn things around and get a point back for us," added Thanusaa, who was sidelined due to a wrist injury for nine months before making a return late last year.
Meanwhile, M. Nickhileswar made up for his runners-up finish in the individual event by securing Selangor a title at home by beating Kedah 2-0 in the team final.
Selangor’s G. Keshvan delivered the first point after beating Sim Yeak Wei 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9, before Nickhileswar sealed the tie with a 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-3 win over Aqil Mirza Naim Khairil Fariz.
RESULTS
Team
Men: Selangor bt Kedah 2-0 (Sim Yeak Wei bt G. Keshvan 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9; M. Nickhileswar bt Aqil Mirza Naim Khairil Fariz 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-3).
Women: Melaka bt Negri Sembilan 2-1 (Chen Yu Jie bt S. Janani 11-4, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4; U. Thanusaa bt Harleein Tan 7-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-9; Goh Zhi Xuan bt V. Haneesha 11-8, 12-13, 11-8, 11-1).
