WUG 2025: M'sia Thrash Canada In Badminton Group Opener, Hoe Yean Advances To 200m Freestyle Semis

From Ahmas Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif

MULHEIM AN DER RUHR (Germany), July 18 (Bernama) -- As expected, Malaysia had no trouble defeating Canada in the Group D mixed team badminton match at the 2025 World University Games (WUG) at the Westenergie Sporthalle here today.

Malaysia’s first point came from the men’s doubles pair Muhammad Fazriq Mohamad Razif-Bryan Jeremy Goonting, who beat Nathan Mills-Harold Tan 15-10, 15-5 in just 16 minutes.

The winning momentum continued with women’s singles shuttler Wong Ling Ching, who outplayed Alena Yu 15-10, 15-8.

Men’s singles player Jacky Kok Jing Hong delivered the winning point for the national squad, but had to work hard before coming back to edge Victor Lai 6-15, 15-8, 15-12.

“I’m grateful to the coach for giving me the opportunity to play. My opponent wasn’t an easy one today — he caused some upsets at the recent Canada Open (earlier this month) — but I still felt motivated to compete.

“Overall, all the players gave their best. You could see that those off court gave great support while those on court played their hearts out,” Kok said when met after the match.

Also in action today were women’s doubles pair Lee Xin Jie-Low Yeen Yuan, who defeated Sophia Nong-Eliana Zhang 15-3, 15-10. In the mixed doubles, however, Liew Xun-Vannee Gobi lost to Timothy Lock-Chloe Hoang 11-15, 9-15.

Malaysia were drawn only with Canada in the group stage.

A new draw will determine the matchups in the round of 16, with half of the matches taking place tonight (early Saturday morning Malaysian time), while the rest will continue tomorrow.

“As group winners, we will face group runners-up, but not the same team again. For example, if we meet Canada, another draw will be conducted.

“In today’s matches, most of the athletes still seemed to be adjusting to the court. Their match temperament wasn’t very stable, but I hope it will improve in the next rounds,” said badminton squad head coach Datuk Rashid Sidek.

Meanwhile, national swimming ace Khiew Hoe Yean continued his strong form after qualifying for the semi-finals of the men’s 200-metre freestyle event held at the Schwimm-und Sprunghalle im Europasportpark in Berlin.

Hoe Yean, who was still fresh from his silver medal success in the 400m freestyle yesterday, finished third in Heat Six with a time of 1 minute 48.68 seconds.

American swimmer Baylor William Nelson came in second with 1:47.67s, behind Brazil’s Kaique Kauan De Morais Alves, who won the heat with 1:47.39s.

Joining Hoe Yean in the semi-finals was teammate Arvin Shaun Singh Chahal, who finished sixth in Heat Eight with a time of 1:49.66s.

The semi-finals are scheduled for tonight (early Saturday morning Malaysian time).

-- BERNAMA