Local squash youngster does it again
KUCHING: Rising star Harith Danial Jefri has done Miri, Sarawak and Malaysia proud once again by capturing the Boys U13 crown at the PBA 16th Penang Malaysian Junior Open at Nicol David International Squash Centre in Penang recently.
The 12-year-old from Miri, who was the tournament’s joint 3/4th seed, beat Arthur Law Pak Ki of Hong Kong 3-0 (11-3, 1412, 11-4) in the final.
En route to the final, Harith disposed of Pakistan’s Yassin Khattak 3-1 (7-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-7) in the quarterfinals and edged Nathan Shuyon Rozenweig the joint 5/8th seed 3-2 (11-3, 5-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7) in the semi-finals.
This is Harith’s sixth individual title after winning in the MSSR, MSSS, MSSM (individual, team and overall Boys U12), National Junior Championship and Borneo Junior Championship.
Earlier this year, he was placed 11th in the World Junior Championships held in the United Kingdom.
Harith’s next competition will be Sportexcel-Milo-NSC-Junior Squash Circuit (1st Leg) in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur from July 13 to 15 where he is one of the top 15 players in the Boys U13 age group.
This will be followed by the CIMB Rising Star National Junior Circuit (2nd Leg) in Kuantan, Pahang from July 25 to 29.
Meanwhile, at the Malaysian Junior Open, other Sarawak players who managed top five finishes were Iris Chieng Shiao Yu (Girls U13, second), Ma Si Yi (Girls U19, fourth), Nathan Kueh (Boys U17, fourth) and Wong Lee Hong (Boys U13, fourth).
Those who also competed in the meet were Brodie Tsen, Charlize Goh, Alden Yeo, Chloe Chieng, Clifford Tay, JC Kueh, Nathalie Sim, Eugenia, Rachel, Caleb Lau, Chris Lau, Anson Cheng, Connor Loi, Lohan, Clement Chieng, John Tang, Ewanash, Simhanash, Grace Wong and Agatha Chieng.