
Wei Xiang passes big test at U-18 meet before exams continue
IPOH: Sitting for exams in between competing in a tournament can be stressful but shuttler Kong Wei Xiang is proving to be one cool customer.
Wei Xiang was crowned boys' singles champion in the Under-18 National meet after coming out on top over teammate Louis Lee 12-15, 20-18, 15-9 in a thrilling final at the Academy Badminton Perak in Ipoh yesterday.
And the victory was even more impressive as the 16-year old is in the midst of his International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams.
'My IGCSE exams have started but there's a break for a few weeks and will resume today,' said Wei Xiang.
'I'm not stressed though as I have been focusing on my preparations for the tournament first, then I will turn my attention to my exams. Winning the title is a great start for me this year. I hope to do well in my exams too after this.'
Wei Xiang, who is from Penang, was relieved after justifying his top seed status in the tournament.
It was no easy win though for the youngster after he was forced to dig deep in the final to stave off a spirited challenge from Louis, who only joined the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) three weeks before the Under-18 tourney.
Wei Xiang also believed that the new 15-point system implemented in the competition made it tricky for him.
The Badminton World Federation are considering replacing the existing 21-point scoring format with the new system and used the Under-18 meet as a test event.
'I think there are many upsets in this competition due to the 15-point system being used as even when you are leading by five points, there is no guarantee you will win,' said Wei Xiang.
'Opponents can close the gap quickly and put pressure on you. In the second game, I was very focused as I was confident that if I won, I will come out on top in the third as well.'
Meanwhile, there was also joy for Eng Ler Qi when she defeated BAM teammate Oo Shan Zi 15-8, 15-9 to claim the girls' singles crown.
FINAL RESULTS
BAM unless stated
Boys' singles: Kong Wei Xiang bt Louis Lee 12-15, 20-18, 15-9.
Boys' doubles: Datu Anif Isaac-Damien Ling bt Heng Hi Zin-Ethan Joon (Neg-Put) 15-6, 15-12.
Girls' singles: Eng Ler Qi bt Oo Shan Zi 15-8, 15-9.
Girls' doubles: Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu bt Carine Tee-Lee Mun 15-6, 15-7.
Mixed doubles: Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan bt Datu Anif Isaac-Dania Sofea Zaidi 14-16, 15-10, 16-14.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Tze Yong won't be walking the 'injury road' alone
KUALA LUMPUR: The injured shuttler, Ng Tze Yong won't have to take the long difficult road ahead alone. Singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen said BAM will walk with him every step of the way and provide all the necessary support to ensure the 23-year-old has the best possible chance of returning to the court. Tze Yong is facing a significant period on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury at the Malaysia Masters last month, which will require surgery. It is another devastating blow to Tze Yong, who has just returned from a 14-month absence due to a back injury that required two operations. Jonassen, who understands the psychological toll of such injuries, said: "We will support him in any way possible. "At the end of the day, it comes down to the athlete. But my message to him is to please always ask for help. When you're there, you're not alone, but sometimes it can feel that way. "Reaching out is not a weakness; we have to remember it's a strength. And for sure, we will be there monitoring all the way, getting in contact." Jonassen acknowledged that while Tze Yong has some experience dealing with injuries, a second major setback presents a different and more challenging mental battle. He outlined a strategy focused on short-term, manageable goals rather than the daunting prospect of a full recovery timeline. "Instead of looking nine or 12 months ahead, which is too far, it has to be step-by-step. You need to have that mindset. 'I will get to this step, then I can achieve one goal,' then for the next one, and the next one," the Dane explained. "Of course, it takes a strong character to want to come back after a second serious injury like this, and I believe he can do it." Jonassen also spoke about his own role in such situations, which he sees as extending far beyond on-court coaching. "I see my role as being a little bit of everything. My main role is not only coaching, but also ensuring that the people around him support his recovery process. "What I can understand is when you, as a player, are injured and out, it's the worst feeling in the world. You feel far from what you want to do. "Then, I need to make sure that we've got good people around him, supporting him, guiding him, and encouraging him to push on."


The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Rosman to stay focused on LA28
NATIONAL women's badminton doubles head coach Rosman Razak remains focused on preparing top pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (LA28), despite uncertainty surrounding their status with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). With the duo's contract with BAM still unresolved following the expiry of their previous deal at the end of last year, speculation has grown that they may turn professional. Rosman, however, said he will continue to give his full commitment as long as the Indonesia Open 2025 runners-up remain under his guidance. 'Whatever the decision or outcome, I will continue serving because I don't know the future. As long as they are still under my training, I will do my best to guide them towards our goal. 'This is why BAM hired me, I will only concentrate on the objective (LA28) only,' he said when met at the training session, here, today. During the Indonesia Open 2025 final last Sunday, the world number four pair pushed world number one and top-seeded Chinese pair Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning to the limit in a thrilling one-hour and 29-minute final before going down 25-23, 12-21, 19-21 at the iconic Istora Senayan venue. Even though they narrowly missed out on the title in the Super 1000 tournament in Jakarta, Rosman, who was delighted with his charges' performance, hoped Pearly-Thinaah would remain consistent in future tournaments. He also noted the pair's progress since he assumed his current role last November, praising their openness to adapting and improving. 'They are willing to listen and adapt because being top pairs is not as easy as people think. There are many other factors which can cause them to rise and fall but they acted professionally,' he said. When asked whether Pearly-Thinaah are improving in higher-tier tournaments, Rosman said the level of quality and pressure remains the same, whether it's a Super 500 or Super 750 event, as the top pairs competing are largely the same across all levels. 'Seriously, I take it Super 500, 750 and 1000 as the same tournament. Pressure is still the same. I cannot say Super 500 and Super 750 are easier and Super 1000 has more pressure, as there's no such thing,' he said.

Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Jonassen to Ng Tze Yong: ‘It's not a weakness to ask for help' as shuttler faces surgery
KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — National men's singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong has been advised to seek support and not go through his recovery journey alone, following confirmation that he will undergo surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen said that while Ng is mentally strong, it is important for him to know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. 'At the end of the day, it comes down to the athlete. Please always ask for help. When you're there, you're not on your own. But sometimes it can feel that you're there on your own with your own issue and those things. Do reach out. 'It's not a weakness to ask for help. For sure, we'll be there monitoring all the way,' he told reporters when met at a training session here today. The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), in a statement on Friday, confirmed that Ng, 25, was forced to retire from his opening-round match against Hong Kong's Angus Ng Ka Long at the Malaysia Masters last month due to knee pain. BAM said a thorough medical examination and magnetic resonance imaging have since confirmed a torn ACL requiring surgical intervention. Despite the setback, Ng, in the same statement, said he is optimistic and committed to his rehabilitation journey. Jonassen said it is important for the 2022 Commonwealth Games men's singles silver medallist to focus on the recovery process one step at a time. 'Of course, it takes a strong character to want to come back, and that's why I believe he has the ability to do so,' he said. Previously, Ng has suffered various injuries, including a muscle tear in his back and a spinal injury last year. He underwent a long period of rest and rehabilitation before returning to action in the Badminton Asia Championship 2025 in Ningbo, China, in April. — Bernama