The winners in both under-15 and under-13 boys and girls categories celebrate their triumphs in Perak.
AISON Diong from SMK Methodist Ayer Tawar nearly made it a double in the boys’ under-15 singles and doubles at the third qualifying round of Allianz Junior Badminton Championship (AJBC) in Ipoh, Perak.
He lost the singles final to his doubles partner, Ong Chin Hang from Yik Ching High School.
With the doubles win, he and Chin Hang automatically qualify for the grand finals and Aison will have a chance to make up for last year’s disappointment when his partner had school examinations then and could not attend.
“It was very disappointing for sure as I really thought that we could have done quite well at the grand finals,” said Aison.
“This year, I have a different partner, Chin Hang, and I hope that we can go all the way.
“I have been working on psyching myself up during matches,” added the Perak state player.
Other double winners at the tournament were A. Baavanya from Methodist Girl School in the under-15 singles and doubles, and Wong Tze Han from SMK (L) Methodist in the boys’ under-13 singles and doubles.
The championship has additional qualifying rounds in Sabah, Sarawak and Pahang this year, taking the overall number of venues to 10.
It is expected to attract more than 2,500 young badminton talents, 500 more than last year.
Supported by the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM), the four-day grand finals are scheduled from Nov 16 to 19 at Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.
