Junior shuttlers find Chinese wall too hard to crack in World Championships final
Malaysia's junior badminton team lost to China in the World Junior Championships mixed team final in Cairo. Despite a spirited comeback in the doubles matches, the team ultimately fell short in the deciding games.
Why it matters
Highlights the competitive landscape of international youth badminton and the dominance of the Chinese national program.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s junior shuttlers displayed immense grit but ultimately fell short against reigning champions China, losing 1-2 in the mixed team final at the World Junior Championships in Cairo on Saturday (Oct 10).
Entering the tie as underdogs, the national team - seeking their first title since 2011 - struggled to penetrate the formidable Chinese line-up in the opening game.
Singles players Saidatul Saadiah Mohd and Tiew Wei Jie fell 5-11 and 13-22 to Yin Yiqing and Luo Jingyu, respectively.
Genevie Lim-Low Zi Yu fell 18-33 to Shi Sichen-Wei Yueyue in the women’s doubles. Zi Yu then reentered the court partnering Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal but even then the Chinese pair of Feng Yilang-Li Menghan got the better of them, winning 44-30.
The Chinese cleansweep was completed when men’s doubles pair Irfan Shazmir-Damien Ling lost 46-55 to Tu Yichen-Zheng Weigang.
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