JUN HAO AIMS TO BOUNCE BACK
Shuttler to focus on individual event following mixed team’s disappointment
HELMI TALKAH helmi.talkah@bh.com.my
NATIONAL singles player Leong Jun Hao is hoping to bounce right back from the disappointment of losing to China 3-1 in the mixed team event final at the World Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia yesterday,
Jun Hao, who went down 21-14, 21-18 to China’s Gao Zhengzhe in the boys’ singles, said he is now focusing on the individual event which begins today.
“I admit that I did not play well today. I really wanted to contribute a point to the team but ended up unnecessarily pressuring myself,” said Jun Hao.
“I have to accept this defeat and focus on the singles next. For now, my goal is to reach the semifinals.”
Mixed doubles Man Wei ChongPearly Tan gave Malaysia the lead with a 21-12, 9-21, 21-17 win over Fan Qiuyue-Li Wenmei but it was all downhill from there.
The next game saw Jun Hao losing his match against Zhengzhe while boys’ doubles pair Chang Yee Jun-Ng Eng Cheong went down 21-19, 21-17 to Fan Qiuyue-Wang Chang.
Former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei failed to keep the tie alive for Malaysia as she lost to Han Yue 21-16, 20-22, 21-8.
This is the third time Malaysia have finished runners-up in the world youth mixed team event after 2009 and 2016. Malaysia won the category in 2011.