Latest news with #KodaiNaraoka
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Singapore Open 2025: Sindhu enters second round; Prannoy beats Gemke
P.V. Sindhu entered the second round of the Singapore Open 2025 after beating Wen Yu Zhang in the opener on Tuesday. The two-time Olympic medallist defeated her Canadian opponent 21-14, 21-9 in just 31 minutes at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. In men's singles, HS Prannoy got the better of Denmark's Rasmus Gemke 19-21, 21-16, 21-14, to enter the round of 16. Anmol Kharb faced a tough first-round draw against Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Chen Yu Fei. She fought hard in the second game but lost 11-21, 22-24. Malvika Bansod took the first game against Supanida Katethong but couldn't hold on, eventually losing 21-14, 18-21, 11-21. Rakshitha Ramraj was beaten by Kodai Naraoka in straight games, 14-21, 8-21, in a 30-minute encounter. The mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Krasto was knocked out in the first round by China's Cheng Xing and Zhang Chi, losing 18-21, 13-21. Another Indian mixed doubles team, Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh, lost to Japan's Yuichi Shimogami and Sayaka Hobara 11-21, 17-21. Priyanshu Rajawat and Kiran George also failed to reach the second round. Kiran lost in straight games to Weng Hong Yang 19-21, 17-21. Priyanshu took the first game against Japan's Kodai Naraoka, but Naraoka rallied to win 14-21, 21-10, 21-14. In women's doubles, Simran Singhi and Kavipriya Selvam were brushed aside by South Korea's Baek Ha-na and Lee So Hee, 4-21, 9-21.
Malaysia Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Malaysia Sun
Chinese shuttlers secure spots in 2025 Malaysia Masters finals
Xinhua 24 May 2025, 19:46 GMT+10 KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese shuttlers dominated the 2025 Malaysia Masters semifinals here on Saturday, winning all matches they attended. Men's singles shuttler Li Shifeng easily outplayed Kodai Naraoka of Japan 21-15, 21-15 at the Axiata Arena. In the women's singles, Han Yue defeated Japan's Akane Yamaguchi 21-19, 21-16, while her compatriot Wang Zhiyi overcame Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon 21-17, 21-16. China's women's doubles pairs Jia Yifan/Zhang Shuxian and Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning both outplayed their opponents to secure places in the final. Mixed doubles duo Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping shattered Ye Hong Wei/Nicole Gonzales Chan of Chinese Taipei 21-10, 21-7, while Jiang Zhenbang/Wei Yaxin knocked out compatriots Cheng Xing/Zhang Chi 15-21, 22-20, 21-19. The tournament will conclude with the finals on Sunday.
New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Jonassen sets sights on building Thomas Cup-winning team
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's abrupt exit from the Sudirman Cup may sting, but there were encouraging signs, particularly in the men's singles, that offer hope ahead of next year's Thomas Cup. Malaysia Malaysia were swept 3-0 by hosts and favourites China in the quarter-finals in Xiamen, falling short of matching their semi-final finishes in 2021 (Vantaa) and 2023 (Suzhou). While the narrow 3-2 group-stage defeat to Japan will linger — and prompt plenty of "what if" discussions — the team must treat it as a valuable lesson in tactical preparation. There was a silver lining in the form of world No. 26 Leong Jun Hao, who stunned Japan's world No. 8 Kodai Naraoka and also beat France's Arnaud Merkle (No. 62), showing he can be a reliable back-up in the absence of world No. 9 Lee Zii Jia. Rising star Justin Hoh, ranked No. 46, also impressed on his debut, winning his tie against Australia. Zii Jia sat out the tournament due to an ankle injury but is expected to return for next year's Thomas Cup. His comeback, along with the return of Ng Tze Yong, could give Malaysia a strong arsenal in the singles line-up. National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen, who joined the BA of Malaysia (BAM) in January, revealed that next year's Thomas Cup has been top of his mind. "It's been on my mind since January," said Jonassen. "We have the potential to field a strong team, but our rivals are also improving. "There's one year left to build something solid. In singles, we need to stay committed to the process if we want to be contenders." The men's doubles, meanwhile, boast enviable depth, with three pairs ranked in the world's top 10 — No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, No. 4 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun. The appointment of Indonesian legend Herry IP in February has given the doubles squad a boost, highlighted by Aaron-Wooi Yik's Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) title win last month. National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky has never hidden his ambition of ending Malaysia's long wait for Thomas Cup glory, and with his vast experience — along with Herry's — and a wealth of talent in the ranks, the country may finally be in a position to challenge. Malaysia last won the Thomas Cup in 1992 on home soil in Kuala Lumpur.
The Star
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Malaysia to face defending champions China in Sudirman Cup quarter-finals
Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao hits a return to Japan's Kodai Naraoka during their men's singles match at the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China. - AFP PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have been handed a formidable challenge in the Sudirman Cup quarter-finals after being drawn against 13-time champions and tournament favourites China on Thursday (May 1). The outcome added salt to the wound following Malaysia's narrow 2-3 defeat to Japan in their final Group C tie on, which cost them top spot in the group. China, who topped Group A, will also have the home crowd firmly behind them at the Fenghuang Gymnasium in Xiamen. The defending champions are looking in imperious form as they bid for yet another title. Thursday's draw also saw Japan set to face Taiwan, who advanced as Group B runners-up. Group B winners South Korea will take on Denmark, the second-placed team from Group D. In the remaining quarter-final tie, Group A runners-up Thailand will go up against Indonesia, who topped the so-called 'Group of Death' to reach the last eight.
