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New Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Grounded and hungry, Dania-Zi Yu chase Asian Juniors glory
KUALA LUMPUR: Once considered unknowns, Malaysia's girls' doubles Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu are now carrying the weight of expectation as they head into the Badminton Asia Junior Championships (BAJC) in Surakarta, Indonesia. The world No. 213 shot to prominence last year when they defied the odds to win silver at the World Junior Championships in China, and now, all eyes are on them again. "We feel the pressure this time," admitted Dania. "People expect us to do well after our silver medal. It feels like a responsibility." Zi Yu echoed her partner's sentiment. "Some strong pairs from last year are no longer around, but there are still tough opponents. We can't let our guard down." The BAJC kicks off with the mixed team event from July 18-22, followed by the individual competition from July 23-27 — with second seeds Dania-Zi Yu to spearhead Malaysia's challenge. Since their breakout performance, the pair have proven it wasn't a one-off. They captured the Slovak Open title in May, reached the semi-finals in Slovenia and Austria, and recently clinched the Malaysia Junior International Challenge crown. That consistent run has boosted their confidence and sharpened their game, thanks to more exposure abroad and support from the BA of Malaysia (BAM). "We've played in more tournaments this year and that has really helped us become more solid as a pair," said Dania. Zi Yu, although not a full-time BAM player, is currently training under its programme — and said that's made a big difference. "Sparring with the national seniors has really helped. It's full-time training here. Outside BAM, we'd have to juggle school and practice." Despite now being seen as medal contenders, the pair are staying grounded. "The competition will be tough. These are the best players from each country, so we'll take it one match at a time," said Dania.
The Star
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Aina won't let tender years stop her from big aims
PETALING JAYA: Nur Aina Maisarah Hatta is one of the youngest shuttlers in the Malaysian team headed to the Asian Junior Championships which starts on Friday in Solo, Indonesia, but she is not letting that stop her from aiming big in the tourney. The 15-year-old, who is set to compete in both the girls' doubles and mixed doubles with Nuraqilah Maisarah Ramdan and Irfan Shazmir respectively, is out to win a medal in her debut Asian meet. Aina and Nuraqilah only combined in April but did not take long to impress by finishing runners-up to teammates and last year's World Junior Championships silver medallists Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu in the Slovak Open in May. While all attention has been on Dania-Zi Yu, Aina and the 18-year-old Nuraqilah have gone under the radar but this suits them just fine as they look to produce a good show in Solo. 'I'm one of the youngest in the Asian Juniors team but I want to prove myself by doing well,' said Aina, after a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday. 'I know that expectations are higher on Dania-Zi Yu as they are our top girls' doubles pair and the pressure is less on me and Nuraqilah. 'We will use this as an advantage. We want to show that we can step up too. We want to go as far as possible and try to win a medal.' Meanwhile, Nuraqilah, who has been chosen as the team captain along with Datu Anif Isaac, is ready to shoulder the responsibility to support her teammates and guide her younger partner in the tourney. 'I know I have more responsibilities as I'm older than Aina and need to guide her. I was also surprised to be chosen as team captain. I hope to justify the coaches' selection,' said Nuraqilah. 'The coaches decided to combine me and Aina to see if we could play well together. The Slovak Open was only our second tournament together, so we didn't expect to reach the final. 'Both of us are fast on court, so we could match each other's rhythm and gel well. 'We discuss a lot on where to improve on and our understanding is getting better.''
New Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Quietly confident Noraqilah-Aina aim for Asian Juniors podium
KUALA LUMPUR: While top girls' doubles Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu are expected to hog the limelight, a fresh-faced pair are quietly eyeing a breakthrough at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships (BAJC) in Surakarta, Indonesia. Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan, 18, and Nur Aina Maisarah Hatta, 16, are relishing their underdog role ahead of the tournament, which starts with the mixed team event from July 18-22, followed by the individual competition from July 23-27. As Malaysia's No. 2 junior pair, Noraqilah-Aina are happy to let the spotlight stay on Dania-Zi Yu — last year's World Junior Championships silver medallists. "We both know Dania-Zi Yu are the top pair. I think all the attention will be on them," said Noraqilah at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. "For us, there's no pressure. We'll just go out there, give it our best, and show we deserve to be on this stage." Formed only in April after Aina joined the national junior squad, the partnership has already shown promise. In just their second tournament together, they made a surprise run to the final of the Slovak Open in May. They've since reached the quarter-finals at both the Austrian Open and the Malaysia Junior International Challenge. "We weren't expecting to reach the final in Slovakia since we're still a new pair," said Noraqilah. "But for the Asian Juniors, we do have a goal — we want to finish on the podium if possible." Their strong on-court chemistry has been key to their early success. Both bring speed, aggression and solid communication. "We can match each other's pace. We're both quite fast, and we talk well during matches," said Aina. "Even when things go wrong, we find solutions together quickly." The pair, who can switch seamlessly between net and backcourt roles, will start with the mixed team event before turning their attention to the individual competition. With no pressure and plenty of upside, Noraqilah-Aina could just be Malaysia's surprise package in Surakarta.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Pearly-Thinaah's presence set to bridge gap with juniors in BAM
Done deal: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah signed a four-year contract with BAM on Thursday. PETALING JAYA: As iron sharpens iron, the presence of national women's doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah is expected to elevate the standard of the second-tier players under the care of coach Rosman Razak. That's why Rosman is thrilled with the duo's decision to remain in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). He believes the seniors' commitment devotion and intensity during sparring session will be invaluable in narrowing the gap between them and the younger shuttlers in the squad. Pearly-Thinaah ended months of speculation over their future by signing a four-year contract with BAM on Thursday, extending their stay until 2028 after their previous deal expired in December. Rosman believes that the world No. 3 duo's decision to stay in the national body was a huge boost for the youngsters in the team as he seeks to produce more pairs to support Pearly-Thinaah. 'Pearly-Thinaah being in the team helps a lot because with them there, the juniors have role models to look up to. I'm thankful to BAM for resolving their contracts,' said Rosman after overseeing a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday. 'They are a good example to the youngsters, not just when it comes to the game but also their commitment as becoming a top pair is not easy. 'Training with Pearly-Thinaah everyday and watching them play in tournaments will definitely help the youngsters progress.' Currently, world No. 22 Teoh Mei Xing-Go Pei Kee are the highest ranked pair in Malaysia behind Pearly-Thinaah while younger pairs Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting and Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu are also showing promise. Xin Yee, 18 and Carmen, 19 won bronze in the Asian Junior Championships last year and are currently ranked No. 42 in the world. Dania-Zi Yu, who are still only 17 and 14 respectively captured silver in the World Junior Championships last year and impressed by winning their first senior title in the Slovak Open in May. 'I'm quite happy with junior pairs like Xin Yee-Carmen and Dania-Zi Yu's progress so far,' said Rosman. 'With Pearly-Thinaah in the team, the youngsters know the gap between them and the top pairs and they are working hard to improve their levels.' Pearly-Thinaah, Pei Kee-Mei Xing and Xin Yee-Carmen will next compete in the Japan Open which starts next Tuesday in Tokyo. Pearly-Thinaah will open their campaign against world No. 16 Bulgarian sisters Gabriela Stoeva-Stefani Stoeva while both Pei Kee-Mei Xing and Xin Yee-Carmen have tough first round matches against world No. 4 Baek Ha-na-Lee So-hee and world No. 6 homesters Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi respectively.
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.
