On a high: FT paddlers Lee Yee Jat (right) and Tan Yi Heng won the boys’ doubles gold after beating teammates Caleb Hong-Im Jin Zhen.
FROM a shy boy to a brave paddler, national player Lee Yee Jat has come a long way.
Yesterday, the 21-year-old put up a courageous show to capture gold in the boys’ doubles with Tan Yi Heng for Federal Territories in the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
Yee Jat was on top of his game with Yi Heng as the duo put their teammates Caleb Hong-Im Jin Zhen to the sword throughout the match to secure a superb 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 win at SJK Chung Hua No. 3 in Kuching yesterday.
It was sheer delight for Yee Jat, who never expected to win the gold.
“I went through a lot of challenges to win this gold. I lacked self-confidence in matches and used to be very nervous,” said Yee Jat.
“I could not play my usual game but my teammates kept supporting me and gave me solutions to overcome these problems and I managed to win this gold thanks to them.
“This is my biggest achievement so far in my career and I feel so happy.”
The 20-year-old Yi Heng, who won his second gold after capturing the mixed team title, credited the win to the teamwork between him and Yee Jat.
“This is our first tournament together and we needed to work hard to build our chemistry,” said Yi Heng.
“We kept communicating with each other, so we know what we are going to do next.
“We didn’t expect to win this gold as we had many strong opponents along the way.
“We just kept focusing on every single match and our teamwork was very good,” added Yi Heng.
Meanwhile, it was a great day for FT when Im Li Ying-Lim Jing Shuen captured the girls’ doubles gold with a hard fought 11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 9-11, 11-6 win over Penang’s Look Lee Peng-Lim Xi Qian in a thrilling final.
RESULTS
Finals
Boys’ doubles: Lee Yee Jat-Tan Yi Heng (FT) bt Caleb Hong-Im Jin Zhen (FT) 11-4, 11-5, 11-4.
Girls’ doubles: Im Li Ying-Lim Jing Shuen (FT) bt Look Lee Peng-Lim Xi Qian (Pen) 11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 9-11, 11-6.
