June Wei admits he has a long ‘Wei’ to go

NATIONAL shuttler Cheam June Wei does not want to get excited just yet after achieving his target of reaching the men’s singles final of the Malaysia International Series in Ipoh yesterday.

The second seed, who defeated compatriot Tan Jia Wei 21-16, 21-10 in the semi-finals, hopes fans will not compare him to Lee Chong Wei as he has yet to stamp his mark in international badminton.

The 22-year-old plays compatriot Soong Joo Ven, who defeated Lim Chong King 2113, 21-15, in today’s final.

“I am a nobody compared to Chong Wei. This is just a small tournament... Chong Wei was dominant in top-tier events.

“I need to keep my focus in every tournament and hopefully, I will be good enough to match the best shuttlers one day. Let’s see where it takes me in the long run,” said the World No 83.

On today’s final, June Wei said it is always tough to play against a teammate.

“It is because we train together every day,” added June Wei.

In the women’s singles, Eoon Qi Xuan created an upset by ousting Thailand’s fifth seed Nuntakarn Aimsaard 21-6, 21-18 in the semi-finals.

She plays Indonesia’s seventh seed Sri Fatmawati, who defeated S. Kisona 21-11, 15-21, 25-23, in the final.

In the men’s doubles, fourth seeds Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong edged Indonesia’s Shohibul Fikri-Bagas Maulana 21-14, 18-21, 30-29 in the semi-finals.

The Malaysians face third seed Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin of Indonesia, who overcame Chen Tang Jie-Chia Wei Jie 20-22, 21-17, 21-17, for the crown.