Aira Azman wins third national squash title, Duncan Lee claims first
The 20-year-old overcame her elder sister Aifa in a tense five-set final in the women's premier category.
Aira fought back to win 8-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8 in a gripping match at the Penang International Squash Centre.
'Very happy with the way I played today even though I have to meet my sister for the second time for the national title,' she said.
'We played really tough matches today. Very delighted to win my third title.'
Meanwhile, Duncan Lee made history by securing his first National Championships title in the men's premier category.
The 23-year-old defeated Sanjay Jeeva in straight games with a scoreline of 11-9, 11-8, 11-8.
'This is an incredible time for me,' Duncan said.
'I am not really in the podium programme, but I am so glad I beat all podium players.'
'My target this year is to make it to the Top 100 and I would also like to appear in the SEA Games as well.' - Bernama
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Andre springs back with bronze boost, eyes SEA Games high
Proud moment: Andre (left) and Ashikin (right) with their coach Firdaus at the Silk Road to Tokyo meet in Tashkent. — Ahmad Firdaus Salim PETALING JAYA: National jumper Andre Anura Anuar is back in business and ready to chase double glory at the SEA Games in Thailand this December. The 24-year-old clinched bronze in the long jump at the Silk Road to Tokyo Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Saturday with a leap of 7.70m.
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
SEA Games dream hinges on $ettling old debts
PETALING JAYA: There is fresh hope for the national handball team to make a return to the SEA Games in Thailand this December. But first, the Malaysian Handball Federation (MAHF) need to settle an old debt. Their president Datuk Pandak Ahmad said their meeting with the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) on Aug 13 yielded a positive outcome, with the national body given conditional approval to feature at the Games provided the outstanding debts amounting to RM133,419.20 are paid. The debt stems from unpaid participation fees for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta/Palembang, which previously led to MAHF's membership being revoked by OCM. As part of the proposal, MAHF suggested a repayment plan of RM3,000 to RM5,000 a month and are determined to clear the debt earlier if possible. 'Our discussion with OCM went smoothly. If this plan is approved, we will start payments next month. 'We want handball to return to the SEA Games. Preparations have already begun, including the Under-16 Championship in Terengganu this year,' said Pandak. With both parties now reaching a positive agreement, Pandak is also optimistic that OCM will approve MAHF's reinstatement into the national body. For now, the national handball squad have been placed under Category B for the SEA Games in Thailand, which means they will have to bear their own participation costs. Even so, Pandak is confident that the team's return to the biennial Games will produce encouraging results. Malaysia last won SEA Games handball medals in 2007 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, taking home two bronzes. Since then, the sport has only returned once – at the 2021 Hanoi Games – but Malaysia did not take part.
New Straits Times
17 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Duncan, Aira crowned national squash champions
KUALA LUMPUR: Duncan Lee continued his giant killing act to win his first national men's title while Aira Azman bagged her third consecutive women's crown at the National Squash Championships in Penang today. Sabahan Duncan, ranked world No. 130, stunned world No. 68 and top seed Sanjay Jeeva 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 in 48 minutes at the Nicol David International Squash Centre. In the semi-finals, third seed Duncan had upset world No. 87 and second seed C. Ameeshenraj 11-8, 11-6, 11-5. National No. 3 and world No. 27 Aira came back from a game down to beat her elder sister Aifa 8-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8. Last year Aira also beat Aifa in the final, Duncan, 23, who won the Sea Cup in Bangkok last month, said it was an incredible moment for him to win the national title. "Against Sanjay, I managed to stick to my game plan and make him run all over the court." My target this year is to break into world top 100." Aira, 20, said: "I faced a really tough challenge from Aifa who was leading 2-1 after three games." Aira was also happy for her elder sister Aika for winning the Division One title in the National Championships. Aika beat Nurul Nisa Nasuha Nazir 11-3, 11-5, 11-7 in the final. Results: Men's Premier Division: Duncan Lee bt Sanjay Jeeva 11-9, 11-8, 11-8; Division One: Jess Tay bt Praviin Jeeva 11-4, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9; Division Two: Choy Min Hon bt Sheikh Darwish Nazri 13-11, 11-4, 12-10 Women's Premier Division: Aira Azman bt Aifa Azman 8-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8; Division One: Aika Azman bt Nurul Nisa Nasuha Nazir 11-3, 11-5, 11-7. Division Two: Yashica Jiwa Mohan bt Nurul Nisa Najihah Nazir 11-9, 11-6, 11-9
