Mohd Khairuddin, Muhd Epi emerge champions
KOTA KINABALU: Mohd Khairuddin Wahidin and Muhd Epi emerged as winners of the Kudat Badminton Closed and Invitational Tournament over the weekend.
The tournament which was held at the SMK Abdul Rahim 2 Hall saw Khairuddin and Muhd Epi stage a comeback to take the men’s doubles crown.
They beat Sharif Iskandar Arbi and Shahrul Elung, 17-21, 21-18, 21-14.
Khairuddin and Muhd Epi got an easy ticket to the final after their opponents Awang Ramlan and Tsen Ket Fui conceded a walkover, while Iskandar and Shahrul beat Haris and Mohd Fadhzil, 14-21, 21-13, 21-4 in the other semi-final match.
Haris and Mohd Fadhzil were third by virtue of a bye.
The women’s doubles final also saw an intense battle between Fatin Anisah Md Yassin/Nurul Syafiqah Md Yassin and Atiyah Suhailah Md Yassin/Teh Xiao Jing.
Fatin/Nurul Syafiqah had to fight from behind before eventually taking the title 1021, 21-16, 21-18.
En route to the final, they beat Eva Valerie/Eva Vanessa 21-16, 21-10, while Atiyah/Teh Xiao Jing beat Juliet/Juvina 2110, 21-15 in the other semi-final match.
Eva Valerie/Eva Vanessa won the play-off 21-13, 21-13.
In the mixed doubles, Suriani Jamalin/Mohd Yusri Irawn had to work hard to beat Kamaluddin Massa/Nurul Syafiqah, 21-16, 1621, 21-16 in the final.
Earlier they endured an intense battle against Ali Faizal/Samsuria Masli before eventually going through 20-22, 24-22, 21-9, while Kamal/Nurul Syafiqah beat Sharif Iskandar/ Eva Valerie 21-14, 21-17 in the other semi-final match.
Ali Faizal/Samsuria won the play-off 21-19, 21-19.
The tournament which was organised by Kudat Badminton Association also featured a veteran doubles combined 90 category, which was won by Kamaluddin Massa/Mohd Yassin Sagap.
They beat Mahadi Jamarin/ Md Hasmi Asrakal 18-21, 21-15, 21-18. In the semis, Kamaluddin/ Yassin beat Ajahar Abdul Latip/ Matias Lalung 21-19, 21-13, while Mahadi/Md Hasmi beat Awang Ramlan/Steven Joker 21-17, 2422.
Ajahar/Matias won the playoff by virtue of a walkover.
Meanwhile, Ajahar, who is also Kudat Badminton Association president, congratulated all the winners. He thanked all the players for taking part in the tournament.
Ajahar also recorded his appreciation to the Youth and Sports Ministry for supporting the event and sponsors for their contribution.
Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Arunarnsin Taib presented the prizes to the winners.