Yee Jun intends to stamp mark at World Juniors

SHUTTLER Chang Yee Jun is already dreaming big ahead of his debut in the World Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, next month.

Apart from winning the mixed team event (Suhandinata Cup) on Oct 9-14, Yee Jun, 17, is also hoping to come good in the boys’ doubles and mixed doubles with his respective partners Ng Eng Cheong and Pearly Tan.

“This will be my first world junior meet and I can’t describe how happy I am to be selected. Of course there is pressure to perform as well,” said the Perlis-born player who idolises 2016 Rio Olympic Games gold medallist Goh V Shem.

“Previously, I played at the Asian Junior Championships in Jakarta but Eng Cheong and I only managed to reach the third round while in the mixed doubles, Pearly and I lost in the quarter-finals.

“My coach has once again tasked me to play in both events at the world meet, so I want to give my best as they are both equally important. I also need to work hard and prepare myself before the competition,” said Yee Jun, who clinched the mixed doubles title at the Dutch and German Junior Opens in March.

When asked about his hope of winning the mixed team event, Yee Jun said: “I don’t think it’s impossible because we made it to the final last year. We must aim to better our mark.

“As for the individual events (Oct 1622), I have targeted to reach the quarterfinals first before trying to go further.”

The other players in the squad this year are Asian junior champion Leong Jun Hao, Sim Fong Hau, Chia Weijie, Ng Tze Yong, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, Man Wei Chong, Kwek Yee Jian, Tee Kai Wun (boys), Goh Jin Wei, Tan Sueh Jeou, Eoon Qi Xuan, Lim Mei Chen, Toh Ee Wei, Ng Wan Win, Yap Ling and Eng Sin Jou (girls). Ferzalfie Fauzi