Promising badminton talent at junior championship

THE second qualifying round of Allianz Junior Badminton Championship 2024 at Jesselball Pearl City Sports Centre in Penang highlighted some promising talent and a great competitive spirit among the young shuttlers.

Lim Zheng Jie from SMK Simpang Empat celebrated a double victory, clinching the under-15 boys’ singles and U-15 boys’ doubles titles, the latter alongside partner Kuak Dolton from SMK Berapit.

In the U-15 girls’ doubles, twins Yeoh Jovy and Yeoh Covy from Han Chiang High School triumphed, defeating Eirdinna Eiylia of SMK Convent Green Lane and Ng Xiao Suan of SMK Bagan Jaya.

The win marked a welcome return for the Yeoh sisters, who missed last year’s tournament.

“We like the singles events too, but being sisters, we have this closeness, and I think that’s an advantage,” said Jovy.

“Although we have different views at times, she is my sister and my roommate, after all,” she added.

Jorus Lee Yi H’ng, brother of former Grand Finals champion Lee Joinne, kept the family’s winning tradition going with a strong showing this year.

The SJK (C) Kampung Valdor student and Penang’s top U-12 player defeated Ong Yung Sen from SJK (C) Beng Teik (Pusat) to secure the U-11 boys’ singles title.

Jorus said afterwards, “There are other good players here, and I want to take it one game at a time.”

The U-13 girls’ doubles saw Chuah Tian Ning from Sekolah Kebangsaan Methodist and Cynthia Ooi Jia Hui from SJK (C) Kwang Hwa emerge victorious over Syarifah Fashira Dayana Syed Jamalludin and Teoh Wen Yuan from SJK (C) Kay Sin and SJK (C) Jit Sin, respectively.

Cynthia, 12, an active member of three badminton clubs and a Penang state player, said she relished her rigorous training schedule.

“Training is part of me and part of my daily schedule. I don’t find it tiring. I look forward to it every day,” she said.

Although she only got started in badminton in April 2022, Cynthia’s ambition is to one day become a national shuttler.

Now in its third year, the championship this round introduced the U-11 category.

The next qualifying round is set for Alor Setar, Kedah, from June 28 to 30.