Aira Azman claims first title of the year at Bermuda Open
It was a short affair for 20-year-old Aira to win the Copper-level event as she defeated second seed Hana Moataz of Egypt 12-10, 11-3, 11-6 in just 27 minutes in Devonshire.
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New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Zii Jia is back — leaner, stronger and hungrier
FOR a nation that lives and breathes badminton, few things fire the blood like the World Championships. And as the draw for Paris 2025 lands, Malaysia's dream of lifting a second world crown feels not just alive but thundering with possibility. Front and centre is Lee Zii Jia, the man once billed as Malaysia's next great hope. Now, after months nursing a stubborn right ankle, the 27-year-old is back — leaner, stronger and hungrier. His Instagram this week lit up the badminton world: 40 seconds of pure intent, smashing with venom, muscles carved, movement razor-sharp. The ankle brace that had become an unwelcome trademark is gone. In its place? A player ready to terrorise world badminton again. For a badminton-mad nation, just seeing Zii Jia glide across the court again has lifted spirits. But his comeback is more than personal redemption. It's the spark that could ignite Malaysia's entire campaign. Because he's not alone in carrying the nation's hopes. Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are primed to hunt down a second men's doubles crown. Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are gunning for Malaysia's first women's doubles medal at this level. And Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei are on a mission to smash a 19-year mixed doubles drought. Zii Jia's opener against South Korea's Jeon Hyeok Jin is winnable. But the real acid test could come in round two — China's world No. 4 Li Shi Feng, the very man across the net when injury struck last year. Beat him, and the message will be deafening. The former All England champion is back in business. Badminton is not just another sport here. It is Malaysia's one true Olympic-level powerhouse. From the artistry of Wong Peng Soon to the relentless brilliance of Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei, to today's elite crop of Aaron, Wooi Yik, Pearly, Thinaah and Zii Jia, the conveyor belt of champions has never stopped. On the world stage, badminton remains the country's most reliable source of medals, prestige and pride. Three years after Aaron-Wooi Yik made history with their men's doubles world title, they return as the battle-hardened world No. 2. Their draw is no walk in the park: a possible all-Malaysian third-round clash with Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King, then a semi-final against Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani. Lurking in the quarter-finals could be China's Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang or India's powerhouse duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty. Former champ Koo Kien Keat said it straight: "It's about hunger. Keep the momentum, and they can win it again." Pearly-Thinaah's path in women's doubles looks kinder — at least on paper. Round three could bring Indonesia's Lanny Tria Mayasari-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, who they've beaten twice in three meetings. Quarter-finals? Japan's Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto are also on the receiving end this year. But the semis could be a whole different beast — Japan's world No. 3 Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida or South Korea's Kim Hye Jeong-Kong Hee Yong, both formidable and physically relentless. Datuk James Selvaraj's advice? "Be confident, but never overconfident. The draw is in their favour, but you still have to win the points." Then there are Tang Jie-Ee Wei in mixed doubles. Not since 2006 has Malaysia stood on that podium — but the world No. 4 are perfectly placed to change that. A first-round bye, a winnable last-16 against Indonesia's Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu, then a quarter-final with Hong Kong's Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet, both of whom they've beaten this season. Avoiding China's top seeds Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping until the semis is a gift. Coach Nova Widianto called it "a medal-worthy opportunity" — before grinning: "Maybe our mixed doubles luck is about to turn." The World Championships strip everything back to the raw essence of the sport. No team events. No second chances. Just five or six brutal matches in a week against the best in the world. It's as much a mental war as a physical one. For Zii Jia, Paris is a chance to prove his story is more than a comeback headline. For Aaron-Wooi Yik, it's a test of whether they can withstand in one of the toughest men's doubles eras ever. For Pearly-Thinaah, it's about breaking new ground. And for Tang Jie-Ee Wei, it's about finally ending that 19-year wait. Paris will not hand out medals for potential. Tang Jie-Ee Wei are not the only hope. The nation will also be relying on world No. 6 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai and world No. 16 Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin in the event. Malaysia must turn all this promise into points, all this belief into results. But if it all clicks — if the smashes land, if the defences hold, if the draws open — then 2025 could be remembered not for one world crown, but for a medal rush across three, even four, disciplines. Because in badminton, as every Malaysian knows, lightning can strike twice. And sometimes, when the wind is right, it can strike over and over again.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Squash gamble pays off for fearless Zoe Foo
KUALA LUMPUR: For the love of squash, Zoe Foo quit her full-time job in June to return to competitive action, and it paid off handsomely at the National Championships on Thursday. The ninth seed stunned joint-fifth seed Anrie Goh 11-6, 11-6, 5-11, 10-12, 11-4 in a tough 41-minute battle to reach the women's quarter-finals at the Nicol David International Squash Centre in Penang. The 27-year-old, who holds a degree in Organisational Sciences from George Washington University, will face top seed and defending champion Aira Azman in the last eight on Friday. Zoe, formerly employed by a Japanese strategy and management consulting firm, said: "I quit my job in June this year and started playing competitive squash again. "I am happy to beat Anrie, whom I lost to in four games at the Ace Satellite tournament in June." The fearless Zoe added she is ready to give Aira a tough time. "I am looking forward to facing Aira, who is a very skilful player. I will go all out to give my best in the quarter-finals." There was another upset in the women's draw as V. Haneesha ousted joint-fifth seed Chen Yu Jie 13-11, 11-4, 11-9 in just 22 minutes. She now meets second seed Aifa Azman. Doyce Lee defeated Angie Ooi 11-4, 11-4, 11-2 to set up a clash with third seed Goh Zhi Xuan, while Harleein Tan overcame Ayesha Rania 11-5, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9 to reach the last eight. Selected results Men's 1st rd: Duncan Lee bt Ivan Chang 11-1, 11-4, 11-8; Low Wa Sern bt Hasvind Kugan 12-10, 11-5, 11-7; Joachim Chuah bt Tho Wei Yan 11-5, 11-8, 11-2; Hazif Zharif bt Raziq Putra Fakhrur 11-5, 11-4, 11-7; M. Nickheleswar bt Tay Jun Qian 9-11, 10-12, 11-2, 11-9, 11-8.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Aira, Sanjay target next squash crowns
KUALA LUMPUR: National No. 3 Aira Azman is going for her third national squash title while national No. 2 Sanjay Jeeva is eyeing his first national title. The 40th National Championships begin tomorrow at the Nicol David International Squash Centre in Penang. In the absences of S. Sivasangari, Rachel Arnold and Ng Eain Yow, who are all training overseas for the London Classic (Sept 2-7), Aira and Sanjay are the top seeds in the National Championships. Fourteen players will feature in the men's category and 12 players will compete in the women's division. Sanjay, who has a first round bye, is expected to face M. Nickhileswar in the quarter-finals. He is likely to face Duncan Lee in the semi-finals and second seed C. Ameeshenraj in the final. Sanjay, 26, said: "I'm nervous but excited at the same time. It's my second national championship, and I'm already the top seed. I feel like there are expectations to win. "I'm also using this tournament as practice for my new approach in preparation for tournaments in the future." Aira, 20, who won the Bermuda Open in May, is expected to face her sister and second seed Aifa in the final. Last year Aira beat Aifa in the final. World No. 27 Aira said: "I'm feeling good going into the National Championships. Being the top seed is a nice confidence boost, and I'm just trying to stay focused and enjoy each match. "It's my third time defending the title, and there's a bit of pressure. I'm taking it as motivation to push myself."
