Latest news with #EngLerQi
The Star
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Serving aces and slicing cakes – the right balance for Ler Qi
Mixing it up: Junior women's singles shuttler Eng Ler Qi at training. PETALING JAYA: Junior shuttler Eng Ler Qi has a unique way of relaxing away from the badminton court. The reigning Under-18 national girls' singles champion loves to bake cakes and pastries in her free time. Ler Qi learnt to bake all by herself and the hobby helps her to mentally reset before returning to training. 'Usually, I like to bake some pastries and cakes to take my mind off badminton for a while,' said Ler Qi. 'I learnt to bake myself and it is a soothing hobby. I feel calmer after baking. Training every day can be tough, so it's good to have a hobby like this.' Ler Qi is currently preparing to make her debut in the Asian Junior Championships from July 18-27 in Solo, Indonesia. The 17-year-old from Selangor will join Oo Shan Zi, Lim Zhi Shin, Low Zi Yu and Lee Mun in the girls' singles. 'I'm excited about my first Asian meet and I will give my all,' said Ler Qi. 'There're about three weeks left and I'm working hard in training every day to be able to perform well in the tournament.' Ler Qi, who trains under Misbun Ramdan, gained some valuable experience after competing in a few lower tier senior European tournaments last month. Her best performance came in the Slovak Open where she reached the semi-finals. 'Playing in Europe gave me a chance to test myself in senior tournaments,' said Ler Qi. 'They were not high level events but I still gained lots of experience. My performances were not consistent, so there's room for improvement. 'I need to work on my strength and power and I'm working on these with coach Ramdan.' The youngster knows she needs to raise her game to have a chance of winning a medal in the Asian Juniors. In last year's edition, Siti Zulaikha Azmi won bronze in the girls' singles.
The Star
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Ler Qi, who trains under Ramdan, wants to add depth in women's singles
Promising player Eng Ler Qi IPOH: Young shuttler Eng Ler Qi is undaunted by the tough challenge faced by her seniors in the women's singles. Malaysia have long struggled to produce top players in this department with world No. 43 Goh Jin Wei and world No. 52 K. Letshanaa the country's current top two in the event. Ler Qi though believes there is hope for a brighter future and wants to be one of the players who can add some much needed quality in the event. The 17-year-old is one of several promising players coming up the junior ranks along with reigning Under-21 national champion Lim Zhi Shin and Malaysia Games (Sukma) silver medallist Oo Shan Zi. Ler Qi, who hails from Selangor, was included in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) set-up in January after reaching the semi-finals of the Under-21 and Under-18 national tourneys. The youngster has immediately been fast tracked into the senior team along with Zhi Shin, who is also 17, while Shan Zi, 18 has been part of the senior set-up since 2023. "I see there's fresh hope for Malaysia in the women's singles as there are several new prospects coming up from the junior level," said Ler Qi. "There's tough competition in national tournaments which I believe is a good sign as this can help our women's singles become better. "Top players in other countries have a strong mindset which we need to follow in order to succeed." Ler Qi, who currently trains under Misbun Ramdan, knows that there's a tough road ahead to becoming a top player but is out to do whatever it takes to succeed. "I have a long way to go but I am willing to sacrifice and stay committed to become a top player," said Ler Qi. "For now, I need to work on my consistency and reduce the mistakes in my games. I also need to be more stable emotionally on court. "Sometimes, the pressure can overwhelm me and I will then lose focus. "Coach Ramdan told me to play more confidently and don't feel too pressured," added Ler Qi. For now, Ler Qi is out to impress in the Under-18 national meet where she will be vying for the title with Shan Zi and Zhi Shin. She had no problems reaching the fifth round after ousting Pahang's N. Mishaliny 15-8, 15-6 at the Academy Badminton Perak in Ipoh yesterday and will meet Johor's S. Hasyni Devi next for a spot in the last eight.
