Latest news with #MalaysiaJuniorInternationalChallenge
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia eye group win against Indonesia at Asian Juniors
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will take on hosts Indonesia on Sunday to decide the Group B winners at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships mixed team event in Surakarta. Both teams have won their first three ties, setting up a thrilling clash to determine who finishes top of the group. Team manager Leong Kin Weng said the Malaysian players have lived up to expectations so far though they have yet to be tested. "Overall, our players are performing as we expected," said Kin Weng on Saturday. "However, they haven't been tested yet, as the earlier wins came against lower-ranked opponents. "Hopefully, they will rise to the occasion against Indonesia tomorrow so we can head into the quarter-finals as Group B winners." On Saturday, Malaysia, who thrashed Macau 110-59 in their opening tie, cruised past Myanmar 110-52 and Singapore 110-58. Among the players in the squad are Malaysia Junior International Challenge champions Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan, Zi Heng-Tan Zhi Yang, Lim Zhi Shin, Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu, Lim Boon Le, Datu Anif Isaac Datu Asrah-Nicole Tan, Damien Ling-Irfan Shazmir, Oo Shan Zi, Nicole Chau-Nur Aina Maisarah Hatta, and Roslie Razeeq Danial. Malaysia last won the mixed team event in 2009 on home soil in Kuala Lumpur.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Grounded and hungry, Dania-Zi Yu chase Asian Juniors glory
KUALA LUMPUR: Once considered unknowns, Malaysia's girls' doubles Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu are now carrying the weight of expectation as they head into the Badminton Asia Junior Championships (BAJC) in Surakarta, Indonesia. The world No. 213 shot to prominence last year when they defied the odds to win silver at the World Junior Championships in China, and now, all eyes are on them again. "We feel the pressure this time," admitted Dania. "People expect us to do well after our silver medal. It feels like a responsibility." Zi Yu echoed her partner's sentiment. "Some strong pairs from last year are no longer around, but there are still tough opponents. We can't let our guard down." The BAJC kicks off with the mixed team event from July 18-22, followed by the individual competition from July 23-27 — with second seeds Dania-Zi Yu to spearhead Malaysia's challenge. Since their breakout performance, the pair have proven it wasn't a one-off. They captured the Slovak Open title in May, reached the semi-finals in Slovenia and Austria, and recently clinched the Malaysia Junior International Challenge crown. That consistent run has boosted their confidence and sharpened their game, thanks to more exposure abroad and support from the BA of Malaysia (BAM). "We've played in more tournaments this year and that has really helped us become more solid as a pair," said Dania. Zi Yu, although not a full-time BAM player, is currently training under its programme — and said that's made a big difference. "Sparring with the national seniors has really helped. It's full-time training here. Outside BAM, we'd have to juggle school and practice." Despite now being seen as medal contenders, the pair are staying grounded. "The competition will be tough. These are the best players from each country, so we'll take it one match at a time," said Dania.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Rivalry between co-captains in Malaysian badminton team
KUALA LUMPUR: They are co-captains, and they are rivals. While Datu Anif Isaac Datu Asrah and Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan will jointly lead Malaysia at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships (BAJC) in Surakarta, Indonesia — they also compete for the mixed doubles spot in the team event. The BAJC begins with the mixed team event from July 18-22, followed by the individual competition from July 23-27. Anif, 18, partners Dania Sofea Zaidi, while Noraqilah, also 18, partners Loh Ziheng. Both pairs are Malaysia's top contenders for the individual mixed doubles gold, and they are also vying for the only slot available in the team event. "It's a good fight between us. We train under the same coach and have similar playing styles. "It comes down to who performs better on the day," said Noraqilah. The selection headache now falls on the coaches. However, Ziheng-Noraqilah have recorded two victories over Anif-Dania this year - at the National Under-18 Championships in April and Malaysia Junior International Challenge two weeks ago. Despite the rivalry, both captains are approaching their dual roles with maturity. "As a team, we stand together, we fall together," said Anif today. Noraqilah added: "Anif and I now have a bigger responsibility," Though the pairs train together daily and know each other's game inside out, both players insist that the internal competition only drives them to improve. "Winning or losing against each other is secondary," said Noraqilah. "The important thing is that we push ourselves." Both have agreed to leave selection matters to the coaches. "We'll just follow the instructions. The coaches know best, so we must always be ready," said Anif. Malaysia have been drawn in Group B for the mixed team event, alongside hosts Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar and Macau.
The Star
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Dania-Zi Yu get timely boost for Asian meet after smashing show in Kangar
Solid girls: Shuttlers Dania Sofea Zaidi and Low Zi Yu win at the Malaysia Junior International Challenge. PETALING JAYA: A title win at the Malaysian Junior International Challenge has given Dania Sofea Zaidi and Low Zi Yu the perfect boost ahead of the Asian Junior Championships in Solo, Indonesia from July 18-27. The win was especially meaningful for Dania, who had earlier fallen short in the mixed doubles final with Datu Anif Isaac Datu Asrah despite going in as the top seeds in Kangar, Perlis yesterday. Dania-Datu were beaten by compatriots Loh Zi Heng-Noraqilah Maisarah 22-20, 15-21, 12-21 in a 54-minute duel. But the Johor-born shuttler made amends in the girls' doubles final when she and Zi Yu outplayed Thailand's Khanaphon Deearom-Thanaphon Deearom 21-11, 21-19 to lift the title. "I just gave my best. Of course, there's pressure going into the Asian Juniors because the coaches are expecting Zi Yu and I to deliver, especially after we finished runners-up at the World Junior Championships last year. But I'm embracing the pressure,' said Dania. Top seeds Loh Zi Heng-Tan Zhi Yang failed to add more titles for Malaysia when they fell to Indonesia's Alexius Subagio-Aquino Tangka 21-18, 19-21, 20-22 in the boys' doubles final. All eyes will now be on Dania in Solo, where she will play in the girls', mixed doubles and mixed team events. Dania-Zi Yu have been seeded second in the girls' doubles, while Dania-Datu will also go in as the second seeds in the mixed doubles. In the team event, Malaysia have been seeded sixth behind Thailand, India, Indonesia, China and Taiwan. Boys' singles: Tonrug Saeheng (Tha) bt Ip Sum Yau (Hkg) 21-18, 15-21, 21-17. Boys' doubles: Alexius Subagio-Aquino Tangka (Ina) bt Loh Zi Heng-Tan Zhi Ying (Mas) 21-18, 19-21, 20-22. Girls' singles: Lam Ka To (Hkg) bt radith Bayu Wardhana (Ina) 21-8, 21-9. Girls' doubles: Low Zi Yu-Dania Sofea Zaidi (Mas) bt Khanaphon Deearom-Thanaphon Deearom (Tha) 21-11, 21-19. Mixed doubles: Loh Zi Heng-Noraqilah Maisarah bt Datu Anif Datu Asrah-Dania Sofea Zaidi 20-22, 21-15, 21-12.
New Straits Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Home shuttlers Ziheng-Noraqilah, Dania-Zi Yu bag two titles
KUALA LUMPUR: The national junior shuttlers wrapped up their campaign at the Malaysia Junior International Challenge in style, clinching two titles in Kangar, Perlis, on Sunday. Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan captured the mixed doubles crown after pulling off an upset against top seeds and compatriots Datu Anif Isaac Datu Asrah-Dania Sofea Zaidi, winning 20-22, 21-15, 21-12 in a hard-fought 54-minute final. Ziheng-Noraqilah earned US$720 (RM3,040) for the win, while runners-up Datu Anif-Dania Sofea took home US$480 (RM2,025). Dania Sofea, however, did not leave empty-handed. She bounced back to win the women's doubles title with Low Zi Yu. The pair defeated Thailand's KhanaphonDeearom-Thanaphon Deearom 21-11, 21-19 in the final. The Malaysian pair, silver medallists at last year's World Junior Championships, pocketed US$720 (RM3,040) for their triumph, while the Thai sisters received US$480 (RM2,025). Ziheng's bid for a second title was denied when he and Tan Zhi Yang narrowly lost the boys' doubles final to Indonesia's Alexius Ongkytama Subagio-Aquino Evano Keneddy Tangka 18-21, 21-19, 22-20. In the boys' singles final, Lam Ka To of Hong Kong outclassed Indonesia's Radithya Bayu Wardhana 21-8, 21-9. Thailand's Tonrug Saeheng, the top seed in the girls' singles, overcame unseeded Ip Sum Yau of Hong Kong 21-18, 15-21, 21-17.
