KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- National men's singles badminton player Leong Jun Hao is close to winning the National Championships title for the first time, after defeating two-time champion Lim Chi Wing in the semi-finals in the 2023 edition today.
Even sweeter, Jun Hao succeeded in repeating the achievement of reaching the final three years ago after defeating the Kuala Lumpur player 21-15 and 21-17 in 38 minutes in the match at Juara Stadium, Bukit Kiara here.
The 23-year-old, playing on a Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) ticket, will square off against his teammate, Muhammad Shaqeem Eiman Shahyar, who also advanced to the final after defeating another representative from the sport's governing body, Chua Kim Sheng, 21-14, 22-20.
"Very happy to step into the final tomorrow, the last time it was in 2019 where I finished as runner-up after losing to defending champion Soong Joo Ven," he told reporters after the match.
Commenting on the clash against his teammate in the final, Jun Hao was of the view that tomorrow's challenge will not be as easy as Shaqeem, 22, is also chasing for his maiden national title.
"I also want him to give everything he has in tomorrow's clash. In terms of the difference in performance I see it as equal," he said.
Meanwhile, national women's singles shuttler K. Letshanaa is hoping for a positive outcome in the women's singles final tomorrow to fire up her spirit to show her best performance at the South Korea Open Championships that will take place from July 18 to 23.
Earlier, Letshanaa, playing on a BAM ticket, was forced to play three sets before defeating her teammate, Siti Nurshuhaini Azman 9-21, 21-10 and 21-15 to advance to the final.
The BAM's main women's singles player will face her former teammate who represents Kuala Lumpur, Wong Ling Ching, who made the final after defeating Johor representative Lim Shin 21-13 and 21-18.
Following are the results of the other semi-final matches:
Men's doubles:
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[4] Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong (SEL/PEN) bt Chia Wei Jie-Liew Xun (BAM) 16-21, 21-13, 21-18
[3] Wan Mohd Arif Wan Sharuddin Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King (BAM) bt Choong Hon Jian-Wong Vin Sean (BAM) 21-11, 18-21, 21-18
Women's doubles:
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Cheng Su Hui-Vanessa Ng Po Lyn (BAM) bt Ho Lo Lee-Amanda Hwa Leng Yap (SEL/KL) 21-16, 22-20
Vivian Hoo Kah Mun-Lim Chiew Sien (KL/JHR) bt [3] Go Pei Kee-Low Yeen Yuan (BAM) 21-14, 19-21, 21-16
Mixed doubles:
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[1] Yap Roy King-Valeree Siow (BAM) bt [4] Wong Tien Chi-Lim Chiew Sen (JHR) 21-13, 21-15
[3] Choong Hon Jian-Go Pei Kee (BAM) bt [5] Loo Bing Kun-Cheng Su Yin (BAM) 21-18, 21-11
Note: seeding in parenthesis
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