Over 300 junior shuttlers battle for state honours

KUCHING (March 16): Janice Tchin Yao Xuan and Jack Huong Jin Zhe booked their tickets to the Petronas National U18 Championships after emerging champions in their respective categories at the Sarawak Junior Closed Selection Tournament which ended at the Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) Hall here on Sunday.

Janice tamed Megan Tan Zhi Yi 15-9, 15-7 in the all-SBA Girl’s U18 singles final. Finishing joint third were Yuki Leong Jaesie Mariam (Sibu BA) and Shanice Tang Yuchen (Miri BA).

Janice went on to complete a double when she partnered Megan to beat Shanice-Eunice Chong 15-5, 15-10 in the doubles final.

Jack Huong of Miri BA qualified for the national tournament after overcoming SBA’s Chong Yan Cheng  in three sets 15-6, 8-15, 15-10 in the Boys U18 singles final. Completing the podium were Adryan Sim Zhun Yong (KBC) and Adam Wong Xin Khai (Sibu BA).

Yan Cheng made up his disappointment in the singles final by partnering Mohamad Najib Haqmi Mohd Osman to beat Bosco Ng Zong Ze (Deligent BC) and Jack Huong 15-11, 9-15, 15-7 in the doubles final.

Meanwhile, Athan Yang Zhi Yung of J Pro Kuching booked his berth for the Affin-100Plus Junior Elite Tour (2nd Leg) Group A in Kuantan, Pahang from Apr 8 to 12, easing past Wyn Ong Yi Ze of KBA 15-3, 15-6 in the Boys U16 singles final. In joint third were Noel Liew Toh Yun (Bintulu BA) and Eric Lau Hui Eng (Miri BA).

The Girls U16 singles title was won by Chloe Liew Xuan Yuan who beat Aleesya Zahirah Mohd Zaki 15-4, 15-5.

Chloe Liew lifted a second title when she combined with Aizalea Izzara Kamarulzaman to defeat Aleesya Zahirah-Allyssa Chu Yee Jing 16-14, 15-5 in the doubles.

The Boy’s U16 doubles title went to Chong Yu Jia-Eldrin Tan Ka Fei of SBA after outlasting Darrick Ong Shang How-Lo Kah Chieng (S A BC) 15-13, 10-15, 17-15.

Other winners included Olivia Wong Yu Xuan-Samantha Kong Zi Yann of Sibu BA (Girl’s U14 doubles), Danice Tchin Mao Quan-Ezra Liau Jih Loch of SBA-Miri BA (Boy’s U14 doubles), Samantha Kong of Sibu BA (Girl’s U14 singles), Beldrick Anyum Bayan of Miri BA (Boy’s U14 singles), Elyse Ting Yee Sze-Raisha Adelia Rezza of SBA (Girl’s U12 doubles), Atharyzz Qaliff Mubaraksha-Muhammad Rayyan Afasy Mohd Sarhan from PBBS-HYBA (Boy’s U12 doubles), Raisha Adelia of SBA (Girl’s U12 singles) and Muhammad Rayyan Afasy of PBBS-HYBA (Boy’s U12 singles).

The three-day tournament organised by SBA attracted 312 players from

Kuching, Sibu, Sarikei, Mukah, Miri, Lawas, Bintulu and Samarahan. SBA president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, deputy president Ting Wei Ping and secretary Datuk Wan Khalik Wan Muhammad were among those giving away the prizes.