Fielding questions: Justin Hoh speaking to the media after a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia yesterday. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Young national men’s singles shuttler Justin Hoh has urged local badminton fans not to put too much pressure on him at this time.
To get down to brass tacks, he knows the mountain of odds that he will surmount in good time as Justin admitted that he is still in the process of returning to his true form, including chasing titles after a string of injuries.
“However, sometimes there will be moments when I drop (fall short) but I try to make a comeback,” he said at a training session yesterday.
The 20-year-old was previously the world’s number one junior player, after winning the Asian Junior title in 2019, but his run was hampered by injuries after rupturing the Achilles tendon in his left leg in April 2023.
Justin then returned to action in November last year but was sidelined again due to a right knee injury at the beginning of the 2024 season.
The coaches in the Badminton Association of Malaysia kept their faith in the player from Kuala Lumpur to represent the national squad at the 2024 Thomas Cup in Chengdu, China, which saw Malaysia take home the bronze.
Justin also achieved his best result by reaching the quarter-finals of the Taiwan Open (Super 300), which was the highest-rated tournament he has participated in, and winning the men’s singles gold at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak.
The world No. 53 ranked player hopes to break into the top 32 in the world next year, which will certainly pave the way for him to participate in major tournaments.
“I still have a lot to improve, I have discussed with the coach to stack up on power and strength,” he said.
Meanwhile, national men’s singles coach K. Yogendran admitted that Justin still needs to be mentally stronger, especially when facing players who are higher ranked.
He said Justin is also seen to be putting too much pressure on himself to achieve something in a short time.
If his singles men can overcome these problems, Yogendran is optimistic that Justin will be able to figure more prominently in the highest World Tour tournaments awaiting him, including the Super 500. — Bernama
