KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor was clearly in a class of its own after defending the 2018 AirAsia-Badminton Association of Malaysia (Bam) National Junior League (ABNJL) championship title by dominating the men’s and women’s categories on the final day of the championship, recently.
The final round which used the team format saw Selangor beating Penang 3-2 in the men’s category followed by a 3-1 success of its women’s squad, also over Penang.
Selangor secured its first point through Muhammad Shaqeem Eiman Shahyar who easily overcome Teh Jin Hong 21-18 and 21-10 before Penang collected two points via Goh Boon Zhe-Tan Yi Han and Low Eu Cong, respectively.
Boon Zhe-Yi Han beat Mohd Nor Firdaus Azman-Khew Han Yang 16-21, 21-19 and 19-21 while Eu Cong easily overcame Han Yang 21-6 and 21-8.
Selangor then equalised after Jimmy Wong-Muhammad Zulhairi beat Chee Yik Shen-Ooi Yi Yong 18-21, 21-15 and 21-18.
Singles player, Chua Jin Yang emerged as Selangor’s hero after beating Goi Zi Chyan 21-13 and 21-12 to simultaneously confirm the championship for the second time consecutively.
Meanwhile, the competition in the women’s category saw Selangor rising after being left behind 1-0 after R. Kasturi lost 12-21 and 17-21 to Tan Zhing Yi in the opening action.
The V.Dharshinie-Loh Zhi Wei combination were forced to work hard before overcoming Lim Sze Jin-Tan Xin Zon 21-10, 20-22 and 21-16 to give the first point to Selangor.
It was Selangor’s turn to be ahead 2-1 via a 21-5 and 21-6 win by K. Letshaanaa over Gan Wan Yan before the Lai Zi Ying-Teh Won Quin pair delivered the winning point by beating Tan Mei Xin-Teh Yi Young 21-19 and 21-5.
As champions, Selangor took home a cash prize of RM20,000 while Penang won RM15,000.
Selangor chief coach, Danan Jaya said their hard work during the championship and the focus on delivering the best performance without thinking of winning were the keys to the success of the team.
“We have made a very careful preparation as we were expecting a stiff competition to defend the championship. We also stressed on the players not to overly harbour hopes but must work hard if they wanted to be champions,’’ he said.-Bernama
