Latest news with #Under-18NationalChampionships
West Australian
29-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
AFL Draft: Western Australia fall breathtakingly short of upsetting talent-filled Allies
Western Australia's under-18s side fell narrowly short of upsetting a talent-filled Allies, going down by five points in the dying minutes at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. Weeks after being thumped by 2025 champions South Australia, the Black Swans led for most of the game against a wayward Allies only to concede a late goal and lose 10.19 (79) to 11.8 (74). Sydney academy prospect Max King (two goals) held his nerve after a tough performance in front of goal to kick the match-winner with just minutes on the clock before their backline held strong late to hold off a fighting WA. East Perth forward Luke Hallett booted three majors for WA in an impressive showing, while West Coast next generation academy prospect Wes Walley was excellent overhead and constant threat up forward, kicking two goals to go with eight score involvements. Inside midfielder Sam Swadling (23 disposals, four tackles and a goal) was a standout in the middle for the Black Swans with top draft prospects Toby Whan (11 touches and a goal) and Fred Rodriguez (13 disposals) unusually quiet. Perth defender Dale Sutherland had his best game for the championships so far with a game-high eight intercept possessions from his 19 disposals, while half-back Jacob Farrow racked up a game-high 30 disposals and six intercepts in a classy display. The Allies who are stacked with talent from the controversial northern academies went in as heavy favourites. Brisbane-linked midfielder Daniel Annable was almost unstoppable with 25 disposals, five clearances and a goal, while Gold Coast hopeful Koby Coulson who had 27 touches, six tackles and six clearances. Dylan Patterson (20 disposals) showed his electric pace that would have the Suns excited while Swans prospect Lachlan Carmichael was composed with 22 uncontested possessions. While at times the Allies looked the superior side with their spread from the contest and skill, their goalkicking was woeful. When WA were able to break into space with run and carry they looked dangerous but most importantly they made the most of their opportunities. Unfortunately, they could not find a way to kick a goal in the final quarter with several late misses hurting them as the Allies secured an important win. WA will now prepare to host Vic Metro in Perth on Sunday in their final game of the Under-18 National Championships. SCOREBOARD ALLIES 3.7, 5.10, 8.13, 10.19 (79) WEST AUSTRALIA 4.1, 7.3, 11.5, 11.8 (74) Goals – ALLIES: M King 2 D Annable R Hamilton B Kane T McMillan J Miller T Prindable K White L Wootton. WEST AUSTRALIA: L Hallett 3 W Walley 2 B Kelly R Luke T Phillips S Swadling T Whan T Williams. Best – ALLIES: D Annable K Coulson L Carmichael D Patterson T Pindable H Wilson. WEST AUSTRALIA: J Farrow D Sutherland S Swadling L Hallett C Banfield W Walley.
The Star
28-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Junior coach Pang is not ready to make a point on new scoring format
National doubles assistant coach Pang Cheh Chang PETALING JAYA: It's too quick to judge if the new 15-point scoring format is good or bad for badminton. Junior men's doubles head coach Pang Cheh Chang (pic) is not drawing any hasty conclusions about the new system just yet but wants to wait and see when it's tested in senior competitions first. Cheh Chang was part of the coaching team guiding the junior shuttlers in the just concluded Under-18 National Championships in Ipoh which was the first test event for the 3x15 system. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) are considering replacing the current 21-point system and will next test the 15-point format in selected lower tier senior tournaments from May until October. Cheh Chang believes BWF were taking the right approach in testing the system in lower tier events first before deciding to implement it in the World Tour. 'I cannot say yet whether the 15-point system is good or bad as we are just experimenting it for the first time in the Under-18 tournament,' said Cheh Chang. 'We need to see the system in the senior events first. The level is different between junior and senior players. 'Juniors are not fully matured yet and their game is not yet stable. Only in the international senior competitions, the difference between the 21-point and 15-point systems will be more obvious.' If the new system is implemented, Cheh Chang believes that players need to be quick to adapt well in matches to succeed. 'In this new format, those who can adapt to the changes in matches faster will be able to perform better,' said Cheh Chang. 'If they know how to handle the situation and are more versatile to changing their game plan, then they have the advantage. 'The 15-point system means the matches will be fast and there's no time to think too much. 'But if you are flexible to handle this kind of strategy and your emotions are stable, then that's an advantage 'In the 21 points system, you need more stamina as you need to play until maximum 30 points. The 15 points is a bit faster,' added Cheh Chang. One of the senior events which will see the 15-point system tested will be the Malaysian International Challenge from Aug 12-17.
The Star
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Loh-Noraqilah reap benefits of training with seniors
IPOH: Training with the likes of top mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei has benefitted youngsters Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan. Yesterday, Ziheng-Noraqilah stunned teammates and top seeds Datu Anif Isaac-Dania Sofea Zaidi to capture their maiden title together in the Under-18 National Championships. Anif-Dania, who finished runners-up in the Dutch Junior International in February, were hot favourites to win the crown but Ziheng-Noraqilah fought brilliantly to come away with a 14-16,15-10, 16-14 victory at the Academy Badminton Perak in Ipoh yesterday. Noraqilah was happy to defend the title she won last year with Justin Goh. 'We always train with Anif and Dania, so we know each other's playing style well. We just wanted to play our best and we are happy to win this title,' said Noraqilah, who is from Melaka. 'Ziheng and I played together earlier, then we were split and combined again in February. 'Anif-Dania are currently the top junior pair in the country, so we didn't have any pressure on ourselves. This gave us the freedom to play our game well.' Ziheng, who is 17 just like Noraqilah, believes the pair have improved after training alongside the likes of world No. 4 Tang Jie-Ee Wei and world No. 14 Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin in the senior set-up. Tang Jie-Ee Wei and Pang Ron-Su Yin are currently BAM's No. 1 and No. 2 mixed pair and are only behind world No. 3 independent duo Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie in the country. Ziheng-Noraqilah and Anif-Dania have moved up to the senior team and train under coach Hazwan Jamaluddin. 'Training with the seniors like Tang Jie-Ee Wei have benefitted us. It's difficult to train with them as their level is much higher but we are learning a lot from them,' said Ziheng, who was born in Sungai Petani, Kedah. 'Winning this title has really boosted our confidence and we hope to keep getting better after this.' Ziheng-Noraqilah have set their sights next on capturing a medal in the Asian Junior Championships from July 18-27 in Solo, Indonesia. The duo are likely Malaysia's best bet to win a medal in the mixed doubles along with Anif-Dania. Meanwhile, Anif and Dania made up for their disappointment of missing out on the mixed crown when they won the boys' and girls' doubles titles respectively. Anif, who was competing for the first time in the boys' doubles event with Damien Ling, had little trouble defeating Negri Sembilan's Heng Hi Zin and Putrajaya's Ethan Joon 15-6, 15-12 for the title. Dania also justified her top seed status with Low Zi Yu by beating teammates Carine Tee-Lee Mun 15-6, 15-7 to win their first Under-18 crown together.
The Star
26-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Louis storms into boys' Under-18 singles final to justify BAM selection
IPOH: Shuttler Louis Lee made a dream start in his career as a national player after storming into the boys' singles final of the Under-18 National Championships. Just three weeks after joining the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), the 16-year-old Louis closed in on the title after battling past teammate Tiew Wei Jie 15-10, 6-15, 15-5 in the semi-finals at the Academy Badminton Perak in Ipoh yesterday. Louis was thrilled to book his spot in the title match against another BAM player Kong Wei Xiang. "It's a good start for me as I have reached the final just three weeks after joining BAM," said Louis, who hails from Penang. "I'm very happy after only making it into the round of 16 last year. This is my first Under-18 national meet final. "It will be tough for me in the final but I will to give it my all to try to win the title." Meanwhile, Wei Xiang justified his top seed status when he dethroned defending champion Razeeq with a hard fought 13-15, 17-15, 15-11 victory. In the women's singles, Ooi Shan Zi defeated reigning Under-21 champion Lim Zhi Shin 15-10, 15-10 to set-up a meeting with another BAM player Eng Ler Qi. Ler Qi ended the run of Low Zi Yu, coming out on top 15-12, 15-7. Zi Yu though stayed on course for the girls' doubles title when she combined well with Dania Sofea Zaidi to beat Lee Joinne-Nicole Tan 15-7, 15-11. Zi Yu and Dania, who are the top seeds, will be strong favourites in the final against teammates Carine Tee-Lee Mun. It was double joy for Dania when she also reached the mixed doubles final with Datu Anif Isaac and the duo will take on teammates Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan for the crown. Anif also has an opportunity to win the boys' doubles title with Damien Ling when they face Negri Sembilan's Heng Zi Hin and Putrajaya's Ethan Joon. RESULTS (BAM players unless stated) Semi-finals Boys' singles: Kong Wei Xiang bt Razeeq Danial Roslie 13-15, 17-15, 15-11; Louis Lee bt Tiew Wei Jie 15-10, 6-15, 15-5. Boys' doubles: Datu Anif Isaac-Damien Ling bt Mohd Shazmir Irfan-Pang Khai Zhe 9-15, 17-15, 15-5; Heng Zi Hin-Ethan Joon (Neg-Put) bt Mohd Nur Azhar Zunaide-Siau Yu Hang (Sab-Joh) w.o. Girls' singles: Eng Ler Qi bt Low Zi Yu 15-12, 15-7; Oo Shan Zi bt Lim Zhi Shin 15-10, 15-10. Girls' doubles: Carine Tee-Lee Mun bt Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan-Nur Aina Maisarah 15-12, 15-13; Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu bt Lee Joinne-Nicole Tan 15-7, 15-11. Mixed doubles: Datu Anif Isaac-Dania Sofea Zaidi bt Mohd Shazmir Irfan-Nicole Tan 15-12, 15-12; Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan bt Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim-Rachel Tan 15-10, 15-10. Quarter-finals Boys' singles: Kong Wei Xiang bt Chua Yi Xuan (Ked) 15-13, 15-9; Razeeq Danial Roslie bt Ayu Fu Sheng 15-5, 12-15, 15-10; Louis Lee bt Branson Hee 15-11, 16-14; Tiew Wei Jie bt Syed Harraz Syed Muzir (Mel) 15-10, 15-13. Boys' doubles: Datu Anif Isaac-Damien Ling bt Daniel Tan-Louis Tan (Joh-Ked) 15-11, 15-7; Mohd Shazmir Irfan-Pang Khai Zhe bt Ahmad Qaid Darwisy-Syed Harraz Syed Muzir (Mel) 15-10, 13-15, 15-10; Heng Zi Hin-Ethan Joon (Neg-Put) bt Lee Ming Zhou-Wong Yu Hang 15-10, 15-11. Girls' singles: Eng Ler Qi bt Saidatul Saadiah (Sab) 15-4, 15-11; Low Zi Yu bt Lee Mun 15-11, 12-15, 15-6; Lim Zhi Shin bt Carine Tee 7-15, 15-9, 15-8; Oo Shan Zi bt Chua Jing Xuan (Sab) 15-3, 15-11. Girls' doubles: Carine Tee-Lee Mun bt Tan Xin Yu-Teh Xin Ying 15-11, 15-6; Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan-Nur Aina Maisarah bt Chermaine Goh-Ong Xin Ru 15-17, 15-12, 15-5; Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu bt Nicole Chau-Teh Si Yan 15-7; 15-7; Lee Joinne-Nicole Tan 15-10, 15-4. Mixed doubles: Datu Anif Isaac-Dania Sofea Zaidi bt Isaiah Shim-Ng Wen Xi (Sab-Pah) 15-9, 15-9; Mohd Shazmir Irfan-Nicole Tan bt Nixon Ang-Sheyeon Wong (Pen-Sel) 15-7, 16-14; bt Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim-Rachel Tan bt Damien Ling-Teh Si Yan 15-6, 9-15, 15-7; Loh Ziheng-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan bt Loh Chee Kiat-Cheng Pei En 15-10, 16-14 (Per).
The Star
26-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Teen shuttler Zi Yu aims high, thanks to family support and good partner
Strong support: From left (Low Zi Yu's father Darren Low, mother Linda Tan, Zi Yu, sister Low Zi Xuan and brother Low Cheng Wei). IPOH: Sporting talent runs in rising shuttler Low Zi Yu's blood. Zi Yu made her presence felt when she became the youngest finalist in the World Junior Championships after winning silver with Dania Sofea Zaidi last October. The Johor lass achieved the feat when she was just 14 years and 53 days old. Previously, Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon was the youngest at 14 years and 269 days old when she reached the 2009 girls' singles final in Alor Star. Zi Yu has credited her family for her sporting genes. Her father Darren Low was a former Johor state badminton and tennis player while her mother Linda Tan plays tennis socially. Zi Yu's brother Low Cheng Wei also played badminton and tennis while her sister Low Zi Xuan played netball. "Growing up in a sporting family helped me to become a badminton player. My family supports me a lot in this journey," said Zi Yu. "My father played badminton and tennis. When I was three, my father gave me a racket and I started playing the sport. "My father said I had the talent and he encouraged me to go for training. I trained in Segamat under my father's friend Wee Hock Leng." Zi Yu shared that her friendship with Dania, who is also from Johor played an important role in the duo's rise to become one of the most promising doubles pairs in the country. "I knew Dania since I was nine as we were both from the Johor state team. We became friends and this helped our understanding on court," said Zi Yu. "We complement each other well as she is good at intercepting the shuttle at the front court and create opportunities for me to attack. "She also guides me on strategies and encourages me a lot." The 17-year-old Dania joined the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) this year while Zi Yu, who is still part of the Johor state team, joins her partner for training in the national set-up before tournaments. Zi Yu's main target this year is to win gold with Dania in both the Asian (July 18-27) in Solo, Indonesia and world junior meets (Oct 6-19) in Guwahati, India. On Saturday (April 26), Zi Yu-Dania made it into the semi-finals of the Under-18 National Championships after beating teammates Nicole Chau-The Si Yan 15-7, 15-7 at the Academy Badminton Perak in Ipoh and will next play another BAM pair Lee Joinnee-Nicole Tan for a place in the final. Zi Yu is also competing in the girls' singles and has reached the semi-finals as well after ousting BAM's Lee Mun 15-11, 12-15, 15-6 and will face top seed Eng Ler Qi next.
