Similar qualities: Leong Jun Hao can take inspiration from Foo Kok Keong (pic, below) and build on his positive showing in Chengdu.
CHENGDU: Shuttler Leong Jun Hao is a soft spoken and an unassuming character but on court, he is a tenacious fighter.
Jun Hao was quietly effective in Malaysia’s semi-final finish in the Thomas Cup Finals.
While the spotlight was on the likes of the country’s No. 1 in the singles Lee Zii Jia and doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, the 24-year-old also played an important role in the prestigious team meet in Chengdu.
The world No. 37 was asked to step up in the second singles in the absence of the injured world No. 18 Ng Tze Yong and did well to upstage Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long (No. 27) in the team’s opening group match and Japan’s Koki Watanabe (No. 22) in the last eight.
Jun Hao did lose to Denmark’s world No. 4 Anders Antonsen and China’s world No. 6 Li Shifeng but his overall performance was encouraging.
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky was pleased with Jun Hao’s battling qualities.
“Jun Hao’s fighting spirit and attitude on court is good,” said Rexy.
“Now, he needs to control the tempo in matches better.”
Jun Hao’s fighting spirit is similar to that of former great Foo Kok Keong.
Kok Keong was not a stylish player but he was known for his never-say-die attitude on court and was part of the legendary team that won the Thomas Cup last for Malaysia in 1992.
Jun Hao can take inspiration from Kok Keong and build on his positive showing in Chengdu.
The 2017 Asian Junior Champion has taken longer to establish himself after his progress was hampered by injuries but is slowly finding his feet now.
Jun Hao believes that competing against the likes of Antonsen and Shifeng has given him more belief.
“I feel more confident after facing top players like Shifeng and Antonsen,” said Jun Hao.
“I hope everything that I have learned in this tournament will help me become a better player.
“I feel the top players are strong in their attacking game and have variety in their shots. This is where I need to work on and I also need to be more consistent.”
Jun Hao has already proven that he is a capable team player.
Now, he needs to step up in individual tournaments starting with the Malaysian Masters from May 21-26 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
