IT has been six years since women’s singles shuttler Wong Ling Ching (pic) returned to her home state, Sarawak, and she is thrilled to be back to compete in the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
Ling Ching left her hometown, Miri, at the age of 15 and joined Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) before eventually making it to the national team at the end of 2022 when she was 19.
The 21-year-old and her family permanently moved to Kuala Lumpur when she joined BJSS and she did not have the opportunity to return to Sarawak until now.
Ling Ching is pumped up to play her best in front of the home fans in the badminton competition which is being held in Sibu.
“It has been a long time since I came back to Sarawak and it feels great to be back here and see all the supporters in the stadium,” said Ling Ching.
“This is my first time coming back to Sarawak and representing my home state and playing in a tournament.
“I’m very happy and blessed as I feel a lot of supporters gives me a lot of energy and motivation to do well.
“I’m feeling more confident and believe playing at home gives me the advantage to win the gold,” added Ling Ching.
Ling Ching, who is currently ranked No. 80 in the world, is Sarawak’s best hope for gold.
The youngster faces a tough challenge from national teammate and world No. 59 K. Letshanaa from Selangor.
Ling Ching and Letshanaa know each other very well as they train daily in the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM).
Ling Ching is hoping to cause an upset after coming close to beating Letshanaa in the National Championships final last year before losing narrowly.
“On paper, Letshanaa is ranked higher than me and is the favourite to win, so I have no pressure. I just want to play my best game and try to win,” said Ling Ching.
Yesterday, Ling Ching’s challenge in the mixed team came to an end in the semi-finals.
RESULTS
Mixed team
Semi-finalsSelangor bt Sarawak 3-0 (K. Letshanaa bt Megan Tan 21-3, 21-13; Chua Kim Sheng bt Goh Shun Huat 20-22, 21-14, 21-15; Wong Vin Sean-Ho Lo Ee bt Jeremy Juan-Kashley Kho 21-13, 21-12);
Federal Territories bt Penang 3-0 (Ong Xin Yee bt Oo Shan Zi 21-12, 21-12; Justin Hoh bt Sng Wei Ming 21-15, 21-16; Low Han Chen-Odelia Wong bt Ong Zhen Yi-Tan Zhing Yi 21-9, 21-18).
Quarter-finals
Sarawak bt Perak 3-1 (Wong Ling Ching bt Nur Aina Maisarah Hatta 21-10, 21-9; Goh Shun Huat lost to Eogene Ewe 16-21, 18-21; Genevie Lim-Lee Zi Suen bt Cheng Pei En-Chong Jie Yu 21-18, 21-18);
Selangor bt Negri Sembilan 3-0 (K. Letshanaa bt Lee An Yun 21-3, 21-10; Chua Kim Sheng bt Sie Zi Lok 21-18, 21-7; Wong Vin Sean-Ho Lo Ee bt Joshua Wong-Vanessa Ng 21-13, 21-14);
Federal Territories bt Johor 3-2 (Ong Xin Yee bt Lim Shin 21-12, 21-19; Justin Hoh bt Mohd Ariffin Nazri 21-19, 21-14; Low Han Chen-Odelia Wong lost to Wee Yee Hern-Low Zi Yu 19-21, 15-21; Amanda Yap-Lee Kay Xin lost to Carmen Ting-Dania Sofea Zaidi 13-21, 14-21; Bryan Goonting-Mohd Fazriq Razif bt Liew Xun-Ng Tze Chian 16-21, 21-18, 21-18);
Penang bt Melaka 3-0 (Oo Shan Zi bt Joanne Ng 21-16, 19-21, 21-14; Ong Zhen Yi bt Soh Ping Chuan 21-5, 21-14; Beh Chun Meng-Khor Jing Wen bt Aaron Tai-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan 21-14, 21-17).
