Badminton: A sweet final after 30 years

SIBU: Sarawak’s women’s singles player, Wong Ling Ching, etched her name in the state’s badminton history books by defeating Selangor’s Siti Nurshuhaini Azman in straight sets.

This historic victory marked the end of a 30-year drought for Sarawakian women’s singles players reaching the final in this category.

Wong, the second-ranked women’s singles player in the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA XXI), dominated the match from the outset. She easily secured the first set, leading by 8 points at the interval (11-3) before clinching it 21-18.

The second set was no different, as Wong continued her impressive performance. She reached the interval with a comfortable 11-4 lead and eventually wrapped up the set 21-9, leaving Siti with no chance of advancing.

Sarawak’s badminton contingent head coach, Azrihanif Azahar, was delighted at Wong’s achievement and said it ignited Sarawak’s hopes for a gold medal in the badminton event.

“I feel very grateful for what we have achieved today,” he said.

“Hopefully, we can secure a gold in badminton. I will fight for it with my team. That’s my promise.”

When asked about his confidence in Wong for the women’s singles final match tomorrow, Azrihanif said that anything could happen in badminton.

“Anything can happen, so what we can do is focus and fight until the end,” he added.

Tomorrow (Aug 24), Wong will face Penang’s Oo Shan Zi in the final match.

Oo defeated SUKMA XXI women’s singles top seed and World No. 50 Letshanaa Karupathevan with a 2-1 victory.