Latest news with #AcademyBadmintonPerak
The Star
28-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Reigning U-18 boys champ Anif wants to see more Sabahans join BAM
Ready to work harder: Datu Anif Isaac (right) hopes to do better in the mixed doubles with Dania Sofea Zaidi. PETALING JAYA: Doubles shuttler Datu Anif Isaac hopes to see more players from Sabah in the national team. Currently, the 17-year-old Anif, who is from Kota Kinabalu, is the only shuttler from the state under the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) setup. 'I wish to see more players from Sabah work hard and join BAM too as currently I'm the only one,' said Anif. 'I hope to do well in BAM and inspire youngsters from my state to play badminton.' Anif, who has formed a promising partnership with Dania Sofea Zaidi in the mixed doubles, joined BAM in January and was fast tracked into the senior team. Anif-Dania are Malaysia's best bets for a medal in the Asian Junior Championships from July 18-27 in Solo, Indonesia, along with newly crowned Under-18 national champions Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan. On Sunday, Anif-Dania finished runners-up to Ziheng-Noraqilah in the Under-18 tourney after losing a closely fought match at the Academy Badminton Perak in Ipoh. There was joy though for Anif though when he captured the boys' doubles title with Damien Ling in the duo's maiden competition together. While Anif was happy to win his first title with Damien, he hopes to do better in the mixed doubles with Dania. 'I feel very excited to win my first title with Damien. Moving forward, I hope I can win bigger titles with him,' said Anif. 'In the mixed doubles though, our opponents played better than us. It's normal to win and lose in sport and we will just try again next time. 'Missing out on the title only makes me want to work harder. We still have room for improvement. 'Although I'm disappointed to lose, I'm happy to see that Ziheng and Noraqilah have improved.'
The Star
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
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.
The Star
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Loh-Noraqilah reap benefits of training with seniors
IPOH: Training with the likes of top mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei has benefitted youngsters Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan. Yesterday, Ziheng-Noraqilah stunned teammates and top seeds Datu Anif Isaac-Dania Sofea Zaidi to capture their maiden title together in the Under-18 National Championships. Anif-Dania, who finished runners-up in the Dutch Junior International in February, were hot favourites to win the crown but Ziheng-Noraqilah fought brilliantly to come away with a 14-16,15-10, 16-14 victory at the Academy Badminton Perak in Ipoh yesterday. Noraqilah was happy to defend the title she won last year with Justin Goh. 'We always train with Anif and Dania, so we know each other's playing style well. We just wanted to play our best and we are happy to win this title,' said Noraqilah, who is from Melaka. 'Ziheng and I played together earlier, then we were split and combined again in February. 'Anif-Dania are currently the top junior pair in the country, so we didn't have any pressure on ourselves. This gave us the freedom to play our game well.' Ziheng, who is 17 just like Noraqilah, believes the pair have improved after training alongside the likes of world No. 4 Tang Jie-Ee Wei and world No. 14 Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin in the senior set-up. Tang Jie-Ee Wei and Pang Ron-Su Yin are currently BAM's No. 1 and No. 2 mixed pair and are only behind world No. 3 independent duo Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie in the country. Ziheng-Noraqilah and Anif-Dania have moved up to the senior team and train under coach Hazwan Jamaluddin. 'Training with the seniors like Tang Jie-Ee Wei have benefitted us. It's difficult to train with them as their level is much higher but we are learning a lot from them,' said Ziheng, who was born in Sungai Petani, Kedah. 'Winning this title has really boosted our confidence and we hope to keep getting better after this.' Ziheng-Noraqilah have set their sights next on capturing a medal in the Asian Junior Championships from July 18-27 in Solo, Indonesia. The duo are likely Malaysia's best bet to win a medal in the mixed doubles along with Anif-Dania. Meanwhile, Anif and Dania made up for their disappointment of missing out on the mixed crown when they won the boys' and girls' doubles titles respectively. Anif, who was competing for the first time in the boys' doubles event with Damien Ling, had little trouble defeating Negri Sembilan's Heng Hi Zin and Putrajaya's Ethan Joon 15-6, 15-12 for the title. Dania also justified her top seed status with Low Zi Yu by beating teammates Carine Tee-Lee Mun 15-6, 15-7 to win their first Under-18 crown together.
The Star
26-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Louis storms into boys' Under-18 singles final to justify BAM selection
IPOH: Shuttler Louis Lee made a dream start in his career as a national player after storming into the boys' singles final of the Under-18 National Championships. Just three weeks after joining the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), the 16-year-old Louis closed in on the title after battling past teammate Tiew Wei Jie 15-10, 6-15, 15-5 in the semi-finals at the Academy Badminton Perak in Ipoh yesterday. Louis was thrilled to book his spot in the title match against another BAM player Kong Wei Xiang. "It's a good start for me as I have reached the final just three weeks after joining BAM," said Louis, who hails from Penang. "I'm very happy after only making it into the round of 16 last year. This is my first Under-18 national meet final. "It will be tough for me in the final but I will to give it my all to try to win the title." Meanwhile, Wei Xiang justified his top seed status when he dethroned defending champion Razeeq with a hard fought 13-15, 17-15, 15-11 victory. In the women's singles, Ooi Shan Zi defeated reigning Under-21 champion Lim Zhi Shin 15-10, 15-10 to set-up a meeting with another BAM player Eng Ler Qi. Ler Qi ended the run of Low Zi Yu, coming out on top 15-12, 15-7. Zi Yu though stayed on course for the girls' doubles title when she combined well with Dania Sofea Zaidi to beat Lee Joinne-Nicole Tan 15-7, 15-11. Zi Yu and Dania, who are the top seeds, will be strong favourites in the final against teammates Carine Tee-Lee Mun. It was double joy for Dania when she also reached the mixed doubles final with Datu Anif Isaac and the duo will take on teammates Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan for the crown. Anif also has an opportunity to win the boys' doubles title with Damien Ling when they face Negri Sembilan's Heng Zi Hin and Putrajaya's Ethan Joon. RESULTS (BAM players unless stated) Semi-finals Boys' singles: Kong Wei Xiang bt Razeeq Danial Roslie 13-15, 17-15, 15-11; Louis Lee bt Tiew Wei Jie 15-10, 6-15, 15-5. Boys' doubles: Datu Anif Isaac-Damien Ling bt Mohd Shazmir Irfan-Pang Khai Zhe 9-15, 17-15, 15-5; Heng Zi Hin-Ethan Joon (Neg-Put) bt Mohd Nur Azhar Zunaide-Siau Yu Hang (Sab-Joh) w.o. Girls' singles: Eng Ler Qi bt Low Zi Yu 15-12, 15-7; Oo Shan Zi bt Lim Zhi Shin 15-10, 15-10. Girls' doubles: Carine Tee-Lee Mun bt Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan-Nur Aina Maisarah 15-12, 15-13; Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu bt Lee Joinne-Nicole Tan 15-7, 15-11. Mixed doubles: Datu Anif Isaac-Dania Sofea Zaidi bt Mohd Shazmir Irfan-Nicole Tan 15-12, 15-12; Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan bt Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim-Rachel Tan 15-10, 15-10. Quarter-finals Boys' singles: Kong Wei Xiang bt Chua Yi Xuan (Ked) 15-13, 15-9; Razeeq Danial Roslie bt Ayu Fu Sheng 15-5, 12-15, 15-10; Louis Lee bt Branson Hee 15-11, 16-14; Tiew Wei Jie bt Syed Harraz Syed Muzir (Mel) 15-10, 15-13. Boys' doubles: Datu Anif Isaac-Damien Ling bt Daniel Tan-Louis Tan (Joh-Ked) 15-11, 15-7; Mohd Shazmir Irfan-Pang Khai Zhe bt Ahmad Qaid Darwisy-Syed Harraz Syed Muzir (Mel) 15-10, 13-15, 15-10; Heng Zi Hin-Ethan Joon (Neg-Put) bt Lee Ming Zhou-Wong Yu Hang 15-10, 15-11. Girls' singles: Eng Ler Qi bt Saidatul Saadiah (Sab) 15-4, 15-11; Low Zi Yu bt Lee Mun 15-11, 12-15, 15-6; Lim Zhi Shin bt Carine Tee 7-15, 15-9, 15-8; Oo Shan Zi bt Chua Jing Xuan (Sab) 15-3, 15-11. Girls' doubles: Carine Tee-Lee Mun bt Tan Xin Yu-Teh Xin Ying 15-11, 15-6; Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan-Nur Aina Maisarah bt Chermaine Goh-Ong Xin Ru 15-17, 15-12, 15-5; Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu bt Nicole Chau-Teh Si Yan 15-7; 15-7; Lee Joinne-Nicole Tan 15-10, 15-4. Mixed doubles: Datu Anif Isaac-Dania Sofea Zaidi bt Isaiah Shim-Ng Wen Xi (Sab-Pah) 15-9, 15-9; Mohd Shazmir Irfan-Nicole Tan bt Nixon Ang-Sheyeon Wong (Pen-Sel) 15-7, 16-14; bt Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim-Rachel Tan bt Damien Ling-Teh Si Yan 15-6, 9-15, 15-7; Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan bt Loh Chee Kiat-Cheng Pei En 15-10, 16-14 (Per).
The Star
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Shuttlers Damien and Datu hope to hit it off in their first partnership
Shuttlers Datu Anif Isaac (front) and Damien Ling making their presence felt in Ipoh. - Ronnie Chin/The Star IPOH: Doubles shuttler Damien Ling hopes to find the right rhythm with new partner Datu Anif Isaac in a bid to emerge as the boys' Under-18 champions in their first tournament together in Ipoh. Both 17, are the top seeds in the under-age national meet and are through to the fourth round after beating Sarawak's Brendon Jong-Roderick Wong 15-7, 15-2 at the Academy Badminton Perak yesterday. Anif and Damien will face Perak's Aison Diong-Ong Chin Hang next in the fifth round. Damien, who is from Putrajaya, is pleased with the positive start with Anif but believes they still have room for improvement. This is the first time that Anif is playing in the boys' doubles as he had been focusing in the mixed doubles with Dania Sofea Zaidi. "Anif and I only started training together two weeks ago when our coach (Hoon Thien How) told us that we will be paired together," said Damien, who played with Pang Khai Zhe before. "I'm excited to play with Anif as he is strong at the back court due to playing in mixed doubles as well. "So far everything is going well for us but we still have much to improve. "We are hoping to give our partnership a boost by winning the title in our first tournament together." Damien grew up idolizing Indonesian great Kenvin Sanjaya and hopes to mimic the latter's entertaining style of play. Kevin formed a hugely successful partnership with Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and the duo were fondly called the minions due to their speed and outrageous skills. Kevin was known for his brilliant front court play and the 17-year-old Damien wants to follow in the former's footsteps. "When I was younger, I loved watching Kevin Sanjaya. His playing style is very interesting," said Damien. "He is so fast and skillful at the front court and he is also mentally strong. hope to emulate him one day." Meanwhile, Anif, who has been doing well in the mixed doubles with Dania is looking forward to playing in two events. The Sabahan finished runners-up with Dania in the Dutch Junior International in March. "Playing in only one event can get a bit boring after a while, so it's interesting to play in the men's doubles too," said Anif. "Playing with Dania and Damien is different as they both have different strengths. "Damien is faster at the front court than me and I will need some time to get used to playing with him."
