Latest news with #JustinHoh
The Star
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Justin battles into main draw, but it's bye-bye for Letshanaa
Malaysia men's singles shuttler Justin Hoh in action against Taiwan's Chi Yu-jen in the quarter-final of Malaysia Super 100 badminton event at Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara on Friday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: It was mixed fortunes for singles shuttlers Justin Hoh and K. Letshanaa in the Thailand Open when the former made it into the main draw while the latter suffered an early exit. In the men's singles, world No. 45 Justin had to survive a scare before overcoming Belgium's world No. 52 Julien Carraggi 21-14, 19-21, 21-13 in the first qualifying round in 56 minutes at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok yesterday. Then, just a few hours later, the 21-year-old did well to beat India's world No. 40 Ayush Shetty 21-14, 22-20 in 39 minutes. Singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen was pleased with Justin's performance in the two matches. 'Two very good wins for Justin in two different ways and with a minimum time to recover between the two rounds after playing three games in the first match,' said Jonassen. 'Especially the win against Shetty was impressive. Understanding and accepting the need for aggressive play but also trusting himself to make the necessary adjustments during the matches.' Justin, who reached the quarter-finals in the Taiwan Open last week, will be out to continue his promising form when he takes on another Indian, world No. 53 Tharun Mannepalli, next for a place in the second round. Letshanaa though could not follow Justin into the main draw after going down 12-21, 20-22 to Thailand's world No. 81 Tidapron Kleebyeesun. Letshanaa had earlier received a walkover in the first qualifying round after fellow Malaysian S. Kisona withdrew from the competition. Despite the exit, the 21-year-old still had reason to be cheerful after reaching a career-high No. 47 in the latest world rankings. Letshanaa moved up three rungs in the rankings after progressing to the last eight in the Taiwan tourney. She will next look to do better when she competes in the Malaysian Masters which starts next Tuesday at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil. Malaysians only First qualifying round Men's singles: Justin Hoh bt Julien Carraggi (Bel) 21-14, 19-21, 21-13. Women's singles: K. Letshanaa (w.o.) S. Kisona. Second qualifying round Men's singles: Justin Hoh bt Ayush Shetty (Ind) 21-14, 22-20. Women's singles: Tidapron Kleebyeesun (Tha) bt K. Letshanaa 21-12, 22-20.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
A chance for Justin to be Malaysia's leading man
KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Justin Hoh has a chance to stake his claim as Malaysia's next leading man after booking a spot in the main draw of the Thailand Open on Tuesday. The world No. 45 will be eager to build on his strong performance at the Taiwan Open last week, where he advanced to the quarter-finals Justin took a step in the right direction by defeating India's world No. 44 S. Ayush to secure his place in the first round of the Thailand Open. He won in straight games, 21-14, 22-20 in 39 minutes during the second qualifying round at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok. The 21-year-old is set to face India's world No. 53 M. Tharun in the opening round on Wednesday. With Leong Jun Hao sidelined by an elbow injury, the Thailand Open provides the perfect platform for Justin to shine. Ng Tze Yong, who has a protected world ranking of No. 18, will take on China's world No. 11 Weng Hong Yang in the first round but the Johorean is still working to regain his rhythm following a back injury that kept him out of action for nearly 14 months. A strong showing in Thailand could provide Justin with the confidence that he needs to perform in front of a home crowd at the Malaysia Masters next week. World No. 48 Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin staged a gritty comeback to defeat Japan's world No. 47 Riku Hatano 18-21, 21-16, 21-17 to reach the main draw. Aidil will face China's world No. 32 Wang Zheng Xing in the first round. In the women's singles, K. Letshanaa had earlier received a morale boost after climbing to a career-high world ranking of No. 47. She then received a walkover in the first qualifying round following the withdrawal of compatriot S. Kisona. However, the 21-year-old was brought back down to earth by Thailand's world No. 48 Tidapron Kleebyeesun who defeated her 21-12, 22-20 in the second qualifying round. In the men's doubles, professional pair Chia Wei Jie-Lwi Sheng Hao bowed out early, losing to Taiwan's Lu Ching Yao-Wei Chun Wei 21-17, 21-18 in the first qualifying round.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Justin starts strongly in Thailand Open
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's singles shuttler Justin Hoh made a solid start to his Thailand Open campaign in Bangkok today. With Leong Jun Hao absent due to a right elbow injury and Ng Tze Yong still working his way back to top form after a long injury layoff, several national shuttlers are aiming to make an impact at the Super 500 tournament. Justin, currently ranked world No. 45, booked a win in the first qualifying round by defeating Belgium's world No. 51 Julien Carraggi in three games 21-14, 19-21, 21-13 in 56 minutes at the Nimibutr Stadium. He will next face India's world No. 44 S. Ayush in the second qualifying round, with a place in the main draw at stake. Ayush leads their head-to-head 2-1, having won their most recent encounter at the Syed Modi International. Also progressing was Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, who overcame India's K. Sathish Kumar in his opening qualifying match. Aidil, ranked world No. 50, prevailed 21-19, 12-21, 21-12 in 50 minutes against the world No. 49. He will meet Japan's world No. 47 Riku Hatano in the next round, with the Japanese player holding a 2-1 record in their past meetings. In the women's singles, K. Letshanaa began the day with a career-high world ranking of No. 47. She advanced without taking to the court after fellow Malaysian S. Kisona conceded a walkover. Letshanaa is set to play Thailand's Tidapron Kleebyeesun in the second qualifying round. Meanwhile, the Korean-Malaysian men's doubles pair of Choi Sol Gyu-Goh V Shem moved into the next round after seeing off Thailand's Vichayapong Kanjanakeereewon-Naruset Laotherdpong 21-15, 21-17. They will next take on Taiwan's world No. 59 duo, He Zhi Wei and Huang Jui Hsuan.
The Star
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Justin faces test to justify new role at Thailand Open
PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Justin Hoh (pic) will assume a new role in the Thailand Open as the top ranked men's singles shuttler for Malaysia. In the absence of world No. 10 Lee Zii Jia and world No. 24 Leong Jun Hao, who are recovering from ankle and hand injuries respectively, all eyes will be on Justin to defy the odds in the World Tour Super 500 event. With world No. 45 Justin's improved showing in recent times, singles coach Kenneth Jonassen believes he will be able to shoulder the burden as the country's highest ranked player in the meet starting today in Bangkok. The 21-year-old has struggled to raise his game early this year but showed encouraging signs when he made it into the last eight in the Taiwan Open last week. Justin impressively took down defending champion and world No. 17 homester Lin Chun-yi in straight games in the second round. The win has given Justin the confidence ahead of a tougher assignment in Bangkok where he will have to navigate two qualifying rounds to reach the main draw. Justin will open his campaign against Belgium's world No. 51 Julien Carraggi before a possible meeting against India's Ayush Shetty (No. 44). Said Jonassen: 'A very quick turnaround is always needed between tournaments when you reach the last eight and it has been the same for Justin. 'The draw is tricky. First of all, potentially two matches within a few hours is always tough. ''First round against Caraggi is a match which needs our full attention as he can be a dangerous opponent. 'If he overcomes this, then second round is possibly against Shetty who is really moving up the ranks. 'Both players are a great test for Justin but we need to focus on one match at a time.' Justin will be joined by his seniors Ng Tze Yong and Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin but both are currently ranked lower than him in the world standing. Tze Yong, who is still finding his feet after returning from a back injury last month, will take on China's world No. 16 Weng Hongyang in the first round while Aidil will play India's K. Satish Kumar in the qualifying round.
The Star
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Kenneth hopes giantkiller Justin will press on to stay strong in Taiwan
Stellar display: Justin Hoh beat world No. 17 Lin Chun-yi of Taiwan 21-17, 21-18 in just 46 minutes in the Taiwan Open second round. PETALING JAYA: Scoring an upset is impressive but going the distance would make it count even more. National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen believes a tougher test awaits his charge Justin Hoh, who is set to compete in the Taiwan Open quarter-finals today. The 21-year-old pulled off a surprise in the second round yesterday when he ousted defending champion and world No. 17 Lin Chun-yi of Taiwan 21-17, 21-18 in just 46 minutes. It was his second straight win over a Taiwanese shuttler in this tournament, having beaten Su Li-yang 21-16, 21-13 in the first round on Tuesday. However, taking down a third home favourite in a row will be a far bigger challenge, as Justin faces world No. 26 Wang Tzu-wei in the last eight today, a player known for his relentless attacking style. 'It was a really good and significant win against his first top-20 opponent. He showed strong focus, discipline, and the ability to make key adjustments throughout the match,' said Jonassen when contacted. 'The quarter-final will present a different challenge, as his next opponent plays a much more aggressive style. It's another great opportunity for him to test himself. Malaysia missed the chance to have another men's singles player in the quarter-finals after Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin fell to top seed and four-time champion Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan in the second round yesterday. Aidil was unable to match the intensity of the Taiwanese ace and went down 14-21, 16-21 in a 37-minute encounter. However, there was some cheer for the national camp as women's singles shuttler K. Letshanaa battled her way into the last eight with a hard-fought victory over fifth seed Chiu Pin-chian. In a thrilling match that lasted 71 minutes, the 20-year-old Letshanaa held her nerve to clinch a 21-19, 17-21, 26-24 win. 'It was a really intense match and mentally and emotionally challenging. I'm happy to pull a upset and will keep moving forward step by step,' said Letshanaa. Next, she will face defending champion Sim Yu-jin of South Korea, who recently helped her country finish as runners-up at the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China last week.
