Latest news with #MalaysianInternationalChallenge
The Star
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Back from arm injury, Jun Hao fails to crack Irish Nhat
National men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao playing against Ireland's Nhat Nguyen in the first round of the Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Wednesday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Leong Jun Hao's hopes of making a deep run at the Malaysian Masters came to a premature end after he was stopped by Ireland's Nhat Nguyen in the opening round. In a twist of irony, the match felt like a replay of the 2017 Malaysian International Challenge final, where Jun Hao lost to Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, who now happens to be Nguyen's coach. There was no redemption this time, despite the intense battle that went the distance. After a gruelling 74 minutes, Jun Hao went down 21-10, 18-21, 9-21. Despite the defeat, the 24-year-old remained proud of his effort, having only recently returned to action following a right arm injury. 'Nguyen changed his strategy in the second and third games, and I started to feel uncomfortable and lost my rhythm. He became more aggressive, and I just couldn't adapt. 'This was my first match since recovering from my right arm injury, so I just did the best I could with my current condition," said Jun Hao. Meanwhile, in the mixed doubles, Loo Bing Kun-Toh Ee Wei advanced to the second round after battling past Taiwan's Lu Ming-che-Hung En-tzu 20-22, 21-18, 21-15. However, it was a different story for Chen Tang Jie-Chan Wen Tse, who fell 20-22, 15-21 to seventh seeds Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi of China.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Amanda-Lo Ee show great chemistry after reunion at M'sian Masters
National women's doubles shuttlers Amanda Yap (left) and Ho Lo Ee in action against Thailand's Phattharin Aiamvareesrisakul-Sarisa Janpeng during the qualifying round of the Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Women's doubles pair Amanda Yap-Ho Lo Ee showed that their chemistry remains intact despite not having played together for 18 months, as they booked a spot in the main draw of the Malaysian Masters. It was a promising debut for Lo Ee-Amanda in the tournament as they booked their spot after edging Thailand's Phattharin Aiamvareesrisakul-Sarisa Janpeng 19-21, 21-14, 22-20 in the qualifying round on Tuesday (May 20). The Malaysian pair delivered an impressive performance, especially considering they last played together at the Malaysian International Challenge in November 2023. For Amanda, their chemistry was never in question, with the partnership going back to when they were just 14, playing together for Bayan Lepas Badminton Club in the Junior Purple League. 'We're really excited with this win in the qualifying round. We played together about two years ago but were then split up, and now we've been reunited,' said Amanda. 'We know each other very well, and that gave us a lot of confidence going into today's (yesterday's) match.' After being split up, Lo Ee went through several partner and event changes, most recently teaming up with Loo Bing Kun in the mixed doubles. Amanda also had changes in her partnerships, having previously played with Tan Zhing Yi before being paired with Vanee Gobi in the women's doubles. Now reunited, Lo Ee-Amanda are hoping to carry their momentum into their first-round clash against Taiwan's Chen Yan-fei and Sun Liang-ching on Wednesday (May 21). 'I've faced them a few years ago when I was partnered with Tan Zhing Yi. I've been out of action for about three months this year due to injury and have only just recovered. 'But playing with Amanda gives me confidence because I'm very familiar with her movements on court. I know what she wants to do without her having to say it and that kind of chemistry really helps during matches,' said Lo Ee. Meanwhile, their teammate, Zhing Yi, who is now paired with Cheng Su Hui, fell short in the qualifying round after going down 22-20, 21-13, 21-15 to Taiwan's Sung Yi-hsuan and Yang Yi-hsun.
The Star
28-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Junior coach Pang is not ready to make a point on new scoring format
National doubles assistant coach Pang Cheh Chang PETALING JAYA: It's too quick to judge if the new 15-point scoring format is good or bad for badminton. Junior men's doubles head coach Pang Cheh Chang (pic) is not drawing any hasty conclusions about the new system just yet but wants to wait and see when it's tested in senior competitions first. Cheh Chang was part of the coaching team guiding the junior shuttlers in the just concluded Under-18 National Championships in Ipoh which was the first test event for the 3x15 system. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) are considering replacing the current 21-point system and will next test the 15-point format in selected lower tier senior tournaments from May until October. Cheh Chang believes BWF were taking the right approach in testing the system in lower tier events first before deciding to implement it in the World Tour. 'I cannot say yet whether the 15-point system is good or bad as we are just experimenting it for the first time in the Under-18 tournament,' said Cheh Chang. 'We need to see the system in the senior events first. The level is different between junior and senior players. 'Juniors are not fully matured yet and their game is not yet stable. Only in the international senior competitions, the difference between the 21-point and 15-point systems will be more obvious.' If the new system is implemented, Cheh Chang believes that players need to be quick to adapt well in matches to succeed. 'In this new format, those who can adapt to the changes in matches faster will be able to perform better,' said Cheh Chang. 'If they know how to handle the situation and are more versatile to changing their game plan, then they have the advantage. 'The 15-point system means the matches will be fast and there's no time to think too much. 'But if you are flexible to handle this kind of strategy and your emotions are stable, then that's an advantage 'In the 21 points system, you need more stamina as you need to play until maximum 30 points. The 15 points is a bit faster,' added Cheh Chang. One of the senior events which will see the 15-point system tested will be the Malaysian International Challenge from Aug 12-17.
The Star
22-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Test for juniors as new scoring system on trial at U-18 meet
PETALING JAYA: The National Under-18 Championships, which gets underway today in Ipoh, Perak, will not only be a battle among young shuttlers to be the country's top juniors – it is also a testing ground for the new 3x15 scoring system. The competition, which usually confirms who the best current juniors are in Malaysia, now has added significance as the Badminton World Federation (BWF) seek to trial the new points system. It will be interesting to see how the likes of World Junior Championships silver medallists Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu adapt to the 3x15 format. Dania-Zi Yu are the most prominent players in the tourney this time and are the hot favourites for the girls' doubles title. The rising young pair should have little trouble securing the crown regardless of the new scoring system. Dania is also out to make it a double joy by capturing the mixed doubles title with Datu Anif Isaac. While Dania, Zi Yu, Anif and the other players will be focusing on winning, their feedback on the new scoring system could play a role in BWF's decision to permanently replace the current 21-points system with the 3x15 format in World Tour competitions next year. Other involved parties including member association officials, tournament organisers, volunteers, coaches, team managers and technical officials will also be asked to complete an online survey to share their experience with the 3x15 format. The Malaysian International Challenge from Aug 12-17 will also feature the new scoring system. Meanwhile, the national Under-18 tourney will also offer the shuttlers a platform to prove themselves and fight for spots in the Asian Junior Championships from July 18-27 in Solo, Indonesia.
