IPOH: World No 81, Soong Joo Ven has been crowned as the new men’s singles champion at the National Badminton Championships, while Soniia Cheah successfully defended her women’s singles title for the second year running at the Perak Badminton Arena here earlier today (Saturday).
Joo Ven’s success came after his opponent in the final, Leong Jun Hao had to withdraw in the second game because of a foot injury which he picked up yesterday (Friday).
“I am really very happy though I do not want to be content with this title, but instead use this win as motivation to go after my first title on the international stage this year,” said Joo Ven.
Meanwhile Soniia, who was the second seed, managed to get the better of the championships top seed, Goh Jin Wei in straight games 21-10, 21-14 in just 31 minutes.
Soniia pointed out that her challenge in the championships was to warm up before she totally focuses on international tournaments such as the All England and German Open.
“However, it was anything but easy I can tell you, as I have to prove that I am capable and deserve to remain in the national team,” she said.
In the mixed doubles, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying proved that they are still the top pair to beat when they pulled all the stops to defeat their opponents in the final, Hoo Pang Ron-Shevon Lai Jemie 17-21, 21-13, 21-19 in 57 minutes.
Liu Ying was happy with the win, saying that it was a meaningful achievement for both her and Peng Soon as their last foray in the championships was eight years ago.
“This championship is also a warm up for us to improve on our shortcomings as we prepare for our challenge in the All England and German Open which is just around the corner,” she said.
Meanwhile national men’s doubles Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin, who got the better of former World No 1 pair Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong in yesterday’s (Friday) semi-final, emerged as champions after they upped their game to beat Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in straight games, 21-12, 21-19 for the title.
In women’s doubles, Anna Cheong-Lim Chiew Sien defeated Cheah Yee See-Teoh Mei Xing 23-21, 21-17 to win their final.
FINAL RESULTS:
Men’s Singles: Soong Joo Ven bt Leong Jun Hao (21-13, 7-1)
Women’s Singles: Soniia Cheah bt Goh Jin Wei (21-10, 21-14)
Men’s Doubles: Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin bt Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (21-12, 21-19)
Women’s Doubles: Anna Cheong-Lim Chiew Sin bt Cheah Yee See-Teo Mei Xing (23-21, 21-17)
Mixed Doubles: Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying bt Hoo Pang Ron-Shevon Lai Jemie (17-21, 21-13, 21-19)