Timely break as Aqil will shift from court to classroom
PETALING JAYA: National squash player Aqil Mirza Naim Khairil Fariz (pic) is hitting the books after missing out on the World Junior Championships in Egypt.
Malaysia's decision to pull out of the tournament has left 12 rising players, including the 17-year-old Aqil, unable to compete in Cairo following tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Iran.
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App.
RM 13.90/month
RM 9.73 /month
Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.
RM 12.39/month
RM 8.63 /month
Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Doha momentum to fuel Sunway aim
MALAYSIA are out to turn home advantage into golden glory when they host the 22nd Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships at Sunway Mega Lanes, starting tomorrow. The national youth squad head into the biennial Under-21 meet on the back of a stunning campaign at the recent Asian Junior Championships in Doha, where they swept seven gold medals. All eyes will certainly be on the 17-year-old sensation Qurratu'Ain Izdihar Pozi once again, who stole the show in Qatar with a five-gold haul. She is joined by fellow Doha medallists Adelia Nur Irwan Syazalee and Wan Zarif Ikram Wan Mazlan, providing continuity and confidence as Malaysia step up to the older age-group challenge. The rest of the eight-strong team comprises Danial Abu Samah, Ethan Damien Goh and Aiman Syahin Sulaiman (boys), together with Adania Mohd Redzwan and Nurul Anis Nabila Nizam (girls). Crucially, Danial, Adelia and Nurul Anis bring with them the experience of competing in the 2023 edition in Bangkok, where Malaysia finished fourth overall in the medal tally with one gold, three silvers and three bronzes. Nurul Anis struck gold in the girls' doubles alongside Anis Hannani Romzi, and later joined forces with Adelia to deliver a bronze in the girls' team event. Danial also contributed with a boys' doubles bronze. That Bangkok experience, coupled with the fresh momentum from Doha, gives the hosts a strong blend of seasoned campaigners and rising firepower. Malaysia are no strangers to success at this level, having been crowned overall champions in 1999, 2001 and 2015. With 14 countries in the fray this time, including Asian bowling powerhouses South Korea, Japan and Singapore, the task will be formidable, but the home squad have made clear their intent to improve on Bangkok's outing and deliver a statement on home lanes. The Asian Youth Championships is widely regarded as the pinnacle of youth bowling in Asia, serving as a crucial platform to identify and showcase the sport's future stars. Across a week of competition, bowlers will contest the singles, doubles, team and All-Events disciplines before the Masters finals crown the individual champions. MTBC president Datuk Mohammed Najeeb Abdullah said Malaysia are proud to welcome Asia's finest to Malaysia. "Malaysia has a rich history in bowling, and we are committed to fostering the next generation of talent," said Najeeb. "Welcoming the best youth bowlers in Asia to our world-class facility is a privilege, and we are prepared to deliver a championship of the highest standard. "This is a fantastic opportunity for the Malaysian public to witness world-class bowling right on their doorstep." The tournament kicks off with the boys and girls singles competitions tomorrow.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
No splash from junior swimmers at world meet in Romania
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian swimmers fell short in their opening acts at the World Junior Championships in Otopeni, Romania. Malaysia Games (Sukma) champion Isabelle Chiyi Buckley finished 33rd in the girls' 50m breaststroke heats with a time of 33.23s.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Quiet day for Malaysia in Otopeni
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian swimmers had a quiet day at the World Junior Championships at the Otopeni Aquatic Centre in Romania on Monday. None of them progressed beyond the heats, but the opening day still provided valuable exposure against some of the best age-group swimmers in the world. Dhuha Zulfikry recorded Malaysia's best finish when he placed 37th in the boys' 400m freestyle. The 17-year-old touched the wall in 4 minutes 02.44 seconds. Only the top eight advanced to the final. He was some way off his Sarawak Malaysia Games record of 3:55.59s set last year. In the girls' 50m breaststroke, sisters Isabelle Chiyi and Natalie Suyin Buckley finished 30th (33.23s) and 42nd (35.20s) respectively, The top 15 qualifiers moved on to the next round. In the girls' 400m individual medley. Aw Yuet Ting, 14, clocked 5:17.31s to place 38th, while Khoo Sue Enn, 16, finished 40th in 5:23.46s. Both Malaysians missed out on a place in the final, which was limited to the top eight swimmers. In the girls' 100m backstroke, Chong Xin Lin clocked 1:05.70s to finish 44th in the heats. She was 5.25 seconds off her national record of 1:00.45s.
