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Thursday October 22, 2009

Zheng Lin hopes to hit the top just like his idol Kien Keat

By RAJES PAUL

NATIONAL men’s doubles shuttler Koo Kien Keat will be Pang Zheng Lin’s inspiration in his bid to go one step better in the World Junior Championships, which begin tomorrow at the Sultan Abdul Halim Indoor Stadium in Alor Setar.

While Kien Keat will be fighting for honours in Europe with Tan Boon Heong over the next two weeks in the Super Series Open tournaments in Denmark and France, Zheng Lin wants to become a star, just like his idol, in his last junior tournament.

“I look up to Koo because both our roles are quite the same as we play more at the front. I get all pumped up when I see him play,” said Zheng Lin.

“I will be moving up to the senior ranks next year and I am looking forward to the opportunities to rub shoulders with him more often.”

Zheng Lin partners Goh Jian Hao for the campaign in Alor Setar. The other pair in the team are Ow Yao Han-Chooi Kah Ming.

Doubles hope: Pang Zheng Lin (right) and Goh Jian Hao in action during the Asian Junior meet in July.

Zheng Lin-Jian Hao did well in the Asian Junior meet in Kuala Lumpur three months ago and helped Malaysia win the mixed team title. They delivered points in the semi-final and final ties against South Korea and China respectively.

In the last edition of the World Juniors in New Zealand, Zheng Lin partnered Kah Ming and they reached the semi-finals.

“I am with a different partner and we aim to go one step better and challenge for the title,” he said. “Our defence is solid and we are also able to put some pressure on our opponents with our aggressive play.”

The early favourites for the title are reigning Asian junior champions Angga Pratama-Rendy Sugiarto Yohanes of Indonesia.

Zheng Lin also said that they had to be wary of the challenges from China and Japan.

“It is a very competitive field in the boys’ doubles and we hope we can retain the title for Malaysia. We will also give our best in the team event,” he said.

Last year, Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang emerged as the boys’ doubles champions.

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