Justin Hoh in fine form as he books berth in Macau Open final
Hoh beat India's no.47 Tharun Mannepalli 19-21, 21-16, 21-16 in 81 minutes.
This marks the player's best performance this year in the World Tour, having previously made early exits in his last 10 tournaments.
He will face Indonesia's Alwi Farhan at the final tomorrow.
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Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Too much too young? China's 12-year-old phenom Yu sparks wonder and concern
MELBOURNE, Aug 12 — Beating a 12-year-old rival was once child's play for an elite swimmer but it has become an unlikely badge of honour when China's Yu Zidi is in the race. Only the very best in women's swimming were able to beat Yu at the world championships where the prodigy became the youngest medallist in the global meet's 52-year history. Yet even as the swimming world marvelled at Yu's talent, her age raised questions about the ethics of someone so young competing at the highest level. In a sport where the mental and physical toll can prove overwhelming for adults, Yu's success at the world championships was viewed dimly by some child protection advocates. 'Twelve-years-old is incredibly young in swimming,' author Linda Flanagan, a vocal opponent of children competing in elite sport, told Reuters. 'A 12-year-old does not train like an 18 or 20-year-old because their bodies aren't equipped to handle the work involved. 'And also emotionally, it's not in their best interest. 'It flies in the face of what psychologists say about what's healthy for kids, which is not to put all your eggs in one basket, to spread your interests so you don't become this narrow person.' Adolescents are hardly rare in swimming, particularly in women's competition where athletes tend to reach peak performance earlier than men. Dane Inge Sorensen was 12 when she won the 200 metres breaststroke bronze at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. She remains the youngest Games medallist in individual events. Sharron Davies swam for Britain at 11 and made her Olympic debut at the 1976 Montreal Games at 13. Far from being concerned about Yu's wellbeing, Davies said the Chinese wunderkind, who won a relay bronze and came fourth in three individual events on her world championships debut, would have found it a thrill. 'It is a total misconception that that young girl would have been extremely nervous. It would have been the opposite,' Davies told Reuters in an interview. '(When) I made that Olympic Games, I was just on cloud nine. 'There was nothing for me to lose and everything to gain. And it would have been the same for her: she had nothing to lose and everything to gain.' More intense There was little sign of Yu being overawed as she recorded personal bests in the 200m and 400m individual medley (IM), and 200 butterfly. Her time of 4:33.76 in the 400 IM final would have taken the Paris Olympic bronze medal away from 23-year-old American Emma Weyant. Yu told Chinese media the Singapore meet was more intense than she had imagined but the atmosphere was great. 'This relay bronze motivates me to keep working hard,' Yu told Xinhua. 'Right after the race, I talked to my family. I want to bring back the medal.... to share the joy with them.' Yu's may be the last world swimming medal won by a 12-year-old pending a World Aquatics review. Although the global swimming body has a minimum age of 14 for Olympics and world championships, its by-laws allow younger swimmers with qualifying times to compete. Yu qualified at the national championships in May. World Aquatics Executive Director Brent Nowicki said the governing body would have to take a look at the age rule. 'I didn't think I'd have this conversation, but now I think we have to go back and say, 'Is this appropriate?'' Nowicki told reporters in Singapore. 'Do we need to do other things? Put other guard-rails up? Do we allow it under certain conditions? I don't know the answer.' An International Olympic Committee consensus statement on elite youth athletes published last year noted adolescent athletes are more susceptible to 'musculoskeletal injuries' while the intense physical and mental demands of sport can bring 'psychosocial strain' and mental health challenges. China's state broadcaster CCTV reported that Yu nearly quit swimming last year when she was 11 because she felt pressure before the national championships. 'I was just overwhelmed with emotion and didn't want to train anymore,' Yu said in comments published by the broadcaster in May. But 'patient encouragement' from her coach and family helped her persevere. The Chinese Swimming Association and China's General Administration of Sport did not respond to requests from Reuters to interview Yu or her coaches, or for comment on the national swim team's safeguarding protocols for child athletes. Australia head coach Rohan Taylor said he would be cautious about selecting a 12-year-old for open competition at a major global meet—but would not rule it out. 'I would go through a process to make sure everything was in place to support that athlete and that we felt we weren't putting any expectation or pressure,' he told Reuters. 'There's a lot of hurdles before we put (athletes) in that situation.' Three years out from the Los Angeles Olympics, rivals and pundits see a big future for Yu. But predictions of super-stardom may not bear out, according to Michael Bergeron, co-author of the IOC's consensus statement on youth athletes and a sport science expert with the Women's Tennis Association. Citing IOC data, Bergeron said just over 30% of under-18 athletes who competed at Olympics returned as adults. 'Maybe she is going to be a superstar down the road but the ones that usually excel at a young age are rarely the ones to excel as an older adolescent, never mind as an adult,' he said. — Reuters
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Italian orienteering athlete dies after collapsing at World Games in China
CHENGDU, Aug 12 — Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis died on Tuesday after being found unresponsive during competition at the World Games in China's Chengdu, organisers said. The 29-year-old was discovered unconscious during an orienteering event on August 8 and died four days later, said a joint statement from World Games organisers and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF). The World Games is a multisport event held every four years for disciplines not included in the Olympics. 'Despite receiving immediate expert medical care at one of China's leading medical institutions, he passed away,' the statement said. It did not provide details on the cause of death. The event took place in intense heat and humidity, with temperatures above 30 degrees. Orienteering sees athletes navigate an unmarked course with a map and compass, punching in at designated spots along the route in the quickest time. Debertolis, from Primiero in eastern Italy, was taking part in the final of the men's middle-distance, the first medal event of the Games. The six-kilometre course featured 180 metres of ascent and 20 control points that athletes must visit. Footage from the World Games' social media accounts showed athletes running through crop fields and villages on a largely rural course. The winner, Switzerland's Riccardo Rancan, completed the course in 45 minutes and 22 seconds. 'I needed to acclimatise quickly with hot and humid conditions. I think I managed quite well,' Chinese state media quoted Rancan as saying. Debertolis was listed as 'Did Not Finish' in official results, along with 11 other athletes. Black armbands He was ranked 137th in the men's Orienteering World Rankings and had been competing since 2014, according to the IOF website. He participated in several World Championships and World Cups as part of the Italian team. Alongside his training, Debertolis was studying for a PhD at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where he lived. President of the Italian Orienteering Federation (FISO), Alfio Giomi, invited the national team to wear black armbands while competing in the World Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships, which begin on Tuesday in Poland. Debertolis' family had agreed that 'athletes will be able to participate in the competitions in Mattia's name and memory', Giomi said in an online statement. World Games organisers and the IOF were 'struck by this tragedy and extend their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the athlete and the whole orienteering community', the joint statement read. 'Our thoughts are with those touched by this event.' Organisers will 'continue to support the family of Mattia Debertolis and the orienteering community in every possible way', it added. This is the 12th edition of the World Games and it runs until August 17, with approximately 4,000 athletes competing in 253 events. — AFP
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
SEA Games: BAM to name 20-player squad next week, says doubles coaching director Rexy
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 — The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is expected to finalise its list of players for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand within a week before the national squad leaves for the 2025 World Championships, which will be held from August 25 to 31 in Paris. BAM doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said discussions will be held with all doubles coaches to pick the best combinations. 'Give us a few more days, maybe a week, before we announce the final decision. The SEA Games does not clash with the World Tour Finals. 'We are still in discussions before making a decision. If Indonesia and Thailand send their full squads, we must also ensure that our team is capable of challenging them for the gold medal,' he said after the Thailand SEA Games selection meeting at Wisma OCM here today. Rexy also said several top pairs, including men's doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, women's doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and mixed doubles Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, are likely to be selected but stressed that nothing has been confirmed. 'We appreciate comments from players such as Aaron-Wooi Yik, who wish to give young players an opportunity. 'Moreover, in the doubles events, we have many talented players such as Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King and Choong Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal Nazri. However, everything must be discussed with the coaches,' he said. The final list is expected to comprise 20 players — 10 men and 10 women. The 2025 SEA Games will be held from December 9 to 20. — Bernama
