Best of the boys
Back-up shuttler Ng goes one up in battle of the boys
Ng Tze Yong, who won the BAM Invitational Championships, has another victory to savour. He is the best of the 20-year-olds in BAM.
National back-up shuttler Ng Tze Yong seems to have finally gained the upper hand on his batchmates Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin and Lim Chong King.
After all, he trumped them in the friendly rivalry between the 20-year-olds when he won the BAM Invitational Championships last week.
The trio had been promoted to the senior team early last year, but Tze Yong found himself playing catch up behind Chong King and Aidil in the first half of the season.
Tze Yong could not even enter satellite tournaments because his ranking was too low and could only watch in awe as his two pals made their presence felt in tournaments abroad.
Later last year, Chong King and Aidil also earned call-ups for the Philippines SEA Games.
Instead of being envious, Tze Yong focused on his training and is finally reaping the results of his hard work.
Tze Yong managed no worse than the quarter-finals in five of the seven tournaments he took part in the five months of the year.
His best results were winning the South Australia International, beating former world No. 1 Lee Hyun-il in the final, and overcoming four home players to reach the last four of Indonesian
International Challenge.
Tze Yong made a giant leap in the world rankings, finishing the year at No. 138, ahead of Aidil (No.145) and Chong King (No. 162). He had started the year at No 530.
When the Covid-19 pandemic brought the international circuit to a halt this year, Tze Yong took his chances well during last week’s internal meet to prove that he’s the best among the three at the moment.
Tze Yong defeated Aidil 21-19, 21-18 and Chong King 21-14, 21-17 for two of his five wins en route to being crowned the Division One champion.
However, Tze Yong stays humble and was adamant that one result did not mean much.
“I don’t think that’s a fair assessment,” said Tze Yong when asked if he thinks he has raced ahead of Aidil and Chong King.
“I think the three of us are still on par with each other, it’s just that I performed much better in last week’s tournament.”
Tze Yong will have his next chance to underline his credentials at the National Under-21 Championships, slated for Oct 27-31 at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara.
He, Aidil and Chong King will start as favourites.
“We’re still not sure if we will be entered the tournament, but if I get to play, I want to keep my momentum going,” said Tze Yong.
“Despite winning last week, it’s going to be a brand new start at the next tournament. Consistency is what I’m seeking.”
I think the three of us are still on par with each other, it’s just that I performed much better in last week’s tournament.
Ng Tze Yong