Latest news with #AsianJunior
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Poor results at Asian Juniors get ex-coaches Tat Meng and Mee Fen all worried
PETALING JAYA: Former coaches Wong Tat Meng and Ng Mee Fen have called for an honest review into the shuttlers' poor performance at the Asian Junior Championships in Solo, Indonesia. Malaysia came home empty-handed from the tournament which ended on Sunday, a repeat of their 2023 edition in Yogyakarta. Tat Meng, who was singles coach in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) from 2003 to 2011 and 2013 to 2016 and Mee Fen, who was a junior coach in the national team for four years, expressed their concern via social media over the disappointing outing, especially in the singles. None of the players in the boys' and girls' singles even made it to the quarter-finals in the individual event. 'Am I the only one who wonders what happened to our junior players' performance in the Asian Junior meet in Solo?' questioned Mee Fen. 'It's worrisome especially in the singles department. Most of our current senior players can play for another Olympic cycle but we have yet to identify the junior players who can replace the seniors in five years' time. 'Challenging times ahead for the juniors and hopefully actions will be taken to improve the standard of the players before it's too late.' Tat Meng, who responded to Mee Fen's post, said: 'Thanks for raising this. You're definitely not the only one concerned. 'I'm actually here in Solo watching the Asian Junior meet and I have to say, it was disappointing and quite sad to see that none of our singles players made it to the quarter-finals. 'Even though I'm no longer based in Malaysia, I still care deeply, especially having been part of the national coaching set-up in the past. 'It really makes me question what has been going wrong with our junior development system for the past how many years? I don't know. 'We have talent, no doubt, but something fundamental isn't translating into results at the international level. 'It's time for an honest review and a clear long-term direction. Otherwise, we risk an even more serious gap in our singles department moving forward,' added Tat Meng. Siti Zulaikha Azmi offered the one bright spot for the girls' singles when she won bronze in last year's Asian Juniors but the last boys' singles medallist for Malaysia was Leong Jun Hao, who captured gold in 2017. In the girls' singles, Goh Jin Wei was the last Malaysian to win a medal when she triumphed in 2018.
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Tat Meng, Mee Fen raise concerns after Asian Junior Championships failure
PETALING JAYA: Former coaches Wong Tat Meng ( pic ) and Ng Mee Fen have raised concerns regarding the junior shuttlers' poor performance in the Asian Junior Championships in Solo, Indonesia, which ended on Sunday (July 27). Malaysia had a disappointing outing, returning home empty-handed from the tournament for the second time in the past three editions after a similar failure in 2023. Tat Meng, who was singles coach in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) from 2003 to 2011 and 2013 to 2016 and Mee Fen, who was a junior coach in the national team for four years, expressed their concern via social media over the poor outing, especially in the singles. None of the players in the boys' and girls' singles even made it into the quarter-finals in the individual event. "Am I the only one who wonders what happened to our junior player's performance in the Asian Junior meet in Solo?" questioned Mee Fen. "It's worrisome, especially in the singles department. Most of our current senior players can play for another Olympic cycle, but we have yet to identify the junior players who can replace the seniors in five years' time. "Challenging time ahead for the juniors, and hopefully actions will be taken to improve the standard of the players before it's too late." Tat Meng, who responded to Mee Fen's post, said: "Thanks for raising this. You're definitely not the only one concerned." "I'm actually here in Solo watching the Asian Junior meet, and I have to say, it was disappointing and quite sad to see that none of our singles players made it to the quarter-finals. "Even though I'm no longer based in Malaysia, I still care deeply, especially having been part of the national coaching set-up in the past. "It really makes me question what has been going wrong with our junior development system for the past how many years? I don't know. "We have talent, no doubt but something fundamental isn't translating into results at the international level. "It's time for an honest review and a clear long-term direction. Otherwise, we risk an even more serious gap in our singles department moving forward," added Tat Meng.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- Borneo Post
Athletes from 44 nations compete as Asian Taekwondo Championships kick off in Kuching
The athletes assemble for the opening ceremony of the 2025 Asian Junior, Cadet and Para Taekwondo Championships. KUCHING (July 28): The 2025 Asian Junior, Cadet and Para Taekwondo Championships, currently being held at the Stadium Perpaduan in Petra Jaya here, marks Malaysia's re-entry into the regional taekwondo arena after more than three decades, said Taekwondo Malaysia president Azizul Annuar Adenan. The Tanjong Datu assemblyman also expressed pride in Sarawak for hosting the mega tournament. He was speaking in his welcoming address at the opening ceremony on Saturday. Azizul, who is also Sarawak Taekwondo Association president, added that he is looking forward to continued collaborative efforts to promote Sarawak as a central hub for major sports events and further strengthen ties within the global taekwondo community. The opening ceremony was officiated by Deputy Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu who represented Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. 'It is my great honour and pleasure, on behalf of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, to welcome all of you to Kuching,' he told the 1,300 athletes and officials from 44 countries. 'Bring more world-class tournaments and big events, the government of Sarawak will continue to support,' he added in a message directed at Sarawak sports officials. Among those present were World Taekwondo president Dr Choue Chung-Won, Asian Taekwondo Union president Prof Lee Kyu-Seok and Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria. The mega tournament comprises the 13th Asian Junior Taekwondo Kyorugi Championships, the 8th Asian Junior Poomsae Championships, the 6th Asian Cadet Kyorugi Championships, the 6th Asian Cadet Poomsae Championships and the 10th Asian Para Championships.
The Star
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Jonassen frustrated by Leong's tame loss to Lanier
A struggle: Leong Jun Hao did not put up much resistance against Frenchman Alex Lanier (inset) in the first round of the Japan Open. PETALING JAYA: Reality has bitten men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao hard after his sobering defeat to Frenchman Alex Lanier in the Japan Open first round. World No. 24 Jun Hao was hoping to pull off an upset over world No. 8 Lanier but found the latter too hot to handle and lost tamely 12-21, 14-21 in 40 minutes at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium yesterday. The 26-year-old's defeat marked the end of Malaysia's challenge in the men's singles in the tourney as he was the country's sole representative in the event. Singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen could not hide his frustration after seeing his charge capitulate against the defending champion without putting up much resistance. 'Jun Hao lacks the consistency to challenge this kind of playing style and level,' said Jonassen. 'I'm also quite worried about how far away we are today from being able to push and make Lanier uncomfortable. 'Jun Hao tried his best but never got comfortable due to the pace, zero mistakes and point-by-point hard fighting attitude of his opponent which led to him feeling pressured in most rallies.' Jonassen admitted that Jun Hao's form was worrying with the World Championships coming up in Aug 25-31 in Paris and said that the player really needed to step up his game. 'I hate losing but worse is being unable to challenge a good opponent. 'Before this tournament, I was looking for answers in terms of preparation for the worlds, and what level are we at? 'Today I got some answers, we have a long way to go! Going forward, it's time to step up.' Jun Hao has been struggling for form this year with his best performance coming in the Singapore Open last month where he made it to the quarter-finals. The 2017 Asian Junior champion has suffered early round defeats in all his other individual events so far this year. On where Jun Hao needed to urgently improve on before the world meet, Jonassen said: 'There are two areas. First is pace of play which is the key. Being able to play faster and deal with opponents' fast-paced games. 'Second is he needs to realise the importance of each point. Understanding and accepting how much each point means against players at the highest level. 'If you don't make them uncomfortable and doubt themselves, they will do this to you.' Before the Paris showpiece event, Jun Hao has one last chance to prove that he can raise his game when he competes next in the China Open which starts next Tuesday in Changzhou.
The Star
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Louis hopes to make his selection for Asian Juniors worth it
Skilful: Junior men's singles shuttler Louis Lee going through his paces. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star PETALING JAYA: It did not take long for junior men's singles shuttler Louis Lee to get noticed by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaches. Just two months after joining BAM, Louis has done enough to earn a spot in the Asian Junior Championships team from July 18-27 in Solo, Indonesia. The 17-year-old caught the eye when he finished runner-up to teammate Kong Wei Xiang in the National Under-18 Championships in Ipoh in April. Louis is hoping to justify his selection for the Asian Junior meet. ''I'm very happy and excited because this is my biggest tournament so far. So I'm motivated to give my best and try to make my mark.'' The youngster is expecting a tough challenge in the tournament though. ''It will be difficult as countries like China, Japan and South Korea will provide a stiff challenge,'' said Louis. Malaysia have struggled to win medals in the boys' singles in the Asian Junior meet in recent years. Current national No. 1 Leong Jun Hao was the last Malaysian to capture a medal in the tournament when he triumphed in 2017 in Jakarta. Before the Asian meet, Louis will compete in the Malaysian Junior International Challenge from July 1-6 in Perlis. He hopes to do well in the tournament and give himself a boost ahead of his debut in the Asian tourney. Louis will be joined by Wei Xiang, Razeeq Danial Rosli, Ayu Fu Sheng and Lim Boon Le in the Malaysian tourney and in the Asian meet.
