Latest news with #MacauOpen
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
BAM urged to send back-up men's doubles pairs for 2025 SEA Games
THE Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has been urged to consider selecting two back-up men's doubles pairs for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. National doubles star Aaron Chia proposed Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King and Choong Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal Nazri as potential candidates for the biennial event. Chia believes their inclusion would support BAM's goal of assembling a competitive squad for the regional tournament. 'I think BAM should send elite back-up pairs like Wan Arif-Roy King and Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal. 'This is their chance (to bring home SEA Games medals),' he said. BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh previously stated the association planned to field its strongest team for the 2023 SEA Games. Malaysia's last gold medal in badminton at the SEA Games came in 2021 in Hanoi, with the 2023 edition yielding only two silvers and four bronzes. Aaron, who won gold with Soh Wooi Yik in 2019, highlighted the recent success of Wan Arif-Roy King at the Macau Open. The world No. 22 pair claimed their first BWF World Tour title last week by defeating Indonesia's top seeds Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani. Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal, ranked 43rd globally, have secured three titles despite injury setbacks this season. The 2025 SEA Games will be held across Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla from December 9 to 20. – Bernama
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Yee Hern-Wen Tse shock Thai pair to win first senior title
KUALA LUMPUR: National mixed doubles back-up pair Wee Yee Hern-Chan Wen Tse claimed their first senior title after winning the Thailand International Series on Sunday. The world No 144 stunned Thailand's world No 64 Ratchapol Makkasasithorn-Nattamon Laisuan 22-20, 21-16 in just 33 minutes in Korat. It was Yee Hern-Wen Tse's second win over the Thai duo, following their victory at the Sri Lanka International Challenge in February. They now lead the head-to-head 2-1. This was only their second tournament together since reuniting at the Macau Open earlier this month. Wen Tse had partnered Chen Tang Jie during a brief split with Toh Ee Wei earlier in the year, reaching the semi-finals of the Taiwan Open before exiting in the first round of the Malaysia Masters in May. During that period, Yee Hern played with Clarissan San at the World University Games in Germany. Although Yee Hern and Wen Tse were knocked out in the first round in Macau by compatriots Loo Bing Kun-Go Pei Kee, their victory in Korat underlines their chemistry and potential as a pair. The result also gives national mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto another promising partnership to back up Tang Jie-Ee Wei. Yee Hern-Wen Tse will next feature at the Malaysia International Challenge in Perak next week.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Justin admits injury phobia cost him shot at first World Tour title
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's singles shuttler Justin Hoh admits he is still battling a fear of injury after rupturing his Achilles tendon in 2023 — a phobia he says cost him a shot at his first World Tour title at the Macau Open on Aug 3. The leaking roof at the Macau East Asian Games Dome forced constant court-mopping throughout the final, and world No 37 Justin said the slippery surface brought back memories of the injury that kept him out for almost a year. The 20-year-old, who underwent surgery and a long rehabilitation, could offer only token resistance to Indonesia's world No 23 Alwi Farhan, losing 21-15, 21-5 in the final. "I do have the phobia of injury, and the court was really slippery that day. I have to admit, it did affect me a bit mentally," said Justin. "I even told my coach, 'I can't move properly on court.' I knew I had to accept the situation, but it's not an excuse — my opponent had to deal with the same conditions. "I've been playing with that risk since the operation, because there's always the chance of the tendon snapping again. That was also playing on my mind. I'm still undergoing physio and rehab to avoid another injury." Justin believes overcoming the fear is something he must work on himself, but says sports psychology sessions and the guidance of coaches Kenneth Jonassen and K Yogendran could help. "The problem comes from within, so I need to address it — maybe through sports psychology or by reflecting and talking myself through it," he said. 'So far, I've discussed it with my coaches and we're trying to find a solution together. These things can happen again, so I need to adapt and be ready to perform better in the next tournament." Despite the setback, Justin sees his run in Macau as progress. "Overall, the Macau Open final is an improvement for me and a way of proving myself this year. Before this tournament, I wasn't performing well, so I really hope I can do better in the upcoming ones."
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Looking four-ward
History makers: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik became Malaysia's first badminton world champions three years ago. PETALING JAYA: 'If possible, I want to see two all-Malaysian men's doubles semi-finals at the World Championships.' That is the wish of world No. 2 Aaron Chia, who hopes that all four Malaysian pairs, including himself and partner Soh Wooi Yik, can make the most of the country's strong presence in the tournament to increase their chances of reaching the semi-finals. Apart from Aaron and Wooi Yik, the men's doubles squad heading to Paris at the end of this month comprise world No. 3 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, and Macau Open champions Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King, who secured their spot at the last minute. Although it is seen as a challenging mission, Aaron, who etched his name in history by winning the 2022 world title with Wooi Yik, believes it is far from impossible given that Malaysia now have among the strongest men's doubles line-ups in the world. If the dream of an all-Malaysian final comes true, the national men's doubles camp will sweep all the medals, including the two bronzes for the losing semi-finalists, as well as the coveted silver and gold. 'I think the men's doubles challenge will not be easy. As you know, Seo Seung-jae-Kim Won-ho were only paired a few months ago and they are already the world No. 1. They are the toughest pair for us. 'Then there are Wei Chong and Kai Wun, and I understand Arif and Roy King have also qualified, so facing our own compatriots might be even tougher. 'I think it would be great if all the semi-final spots are taken by Malaysians. I mean, if all four pairs make it to the last four, we can start preparing to celebrate early (as the title would already be in our hands),' said Aaron when met at Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) Bukit Kiara yesterday. Ironically, when Aaron-Wooi Yik became Malaysia's first badminton world champions three years ago, the country also had four representatives in the men's doubles event. However, the campaigns of the other three pairs ended early, with Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin and Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong bowing out in the second round, while Sze Fei-Izzuddin exited in the third round. The draw for the World Championships will be conducted next Wednesday.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Justin's deep dive with Danish masters
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's singles shuttler Justin Hoh is excited about the opportunity to learn from world No. 2 Anders Antonsen in a training stint with the Danish national team in Copenhagen from August 18–22. The training camp is arranged by national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen for World Championships-bound men's singles Leong Jun Hao and women's singles K. Letshanaa. Although Justin did not qualify for the World Championships, he believes this will be a great opportunity to gain valuable insights from Antonsen. Justin, who finished second at the Macau Open last Sunday, is set to continue playing in several World Tour events later this year. Antonsen, an independent player, has joined the Danish national team in Copenhagen in their preparations for the World Championships. "I'm really happy because it's my first time training in a different environment. "I also get to train with top players like Antonsen, so I'm very excited. "I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can," said Justin. "I think discipline, both on and off the court, is something I can learn from him, as it's an area I know I need to work on. "I'm really grateful for this opportunity to go to Denmark. "After that, I have quite a few tournaments coming up, and I hope to perform well in the final few months of the year." Justin will also be training with world No. 29 Rasmus Gemke, No. 63 Mads Christophersen and No. 73 Magnus Johannesen during the five-day stint. However, the 21-year-old Malaysian's hopes of training with world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen will not materialise, as the two-time Olympic champion has withdrawn from the World Championships to continue his rehabilitation following a back surgery in April. Meanwhile, Justin remains optimistic about maintaining his momentum after reaching his first Super 300 final in Macau. Still, he believes it may take until next year to secure a title due to the high level of competition in the Super 300 and Super 500 events he is scheduled to compete in for the remainder of the year. "It's tough to win a title because I've been playing in Super 300 and 500 tournaments where the opponents are very strong," said Justin. "Right now, my main target is to break into the top 32 first. Hopefully, I can focus on winning a title next year." Justin will return home after the Danish training stint to prepare for the Hong Kong Open (Sept 9-14) and the China Masters (Sept 16-21), where he will compete in the qualifying rounds.
