Badminton

Yeen Yuan-Valeree prove their worth with title in Slovenia

National women's doubles Low Yeen Yuan-Valeree Siow could not have announced their arrival on the senior stage in better fashion amid a challenging Covid-19 year.

On Saturday, the young backup pair delivered Malaysia a second title at the Slovenia International when they defeated Denmark's Isabella Nielsen-Marie Louise Steffensen 21-11, 21-15 at the Dras Sports Centre in Maribor.

Mixed doubles Choong Hon Jian-Toh Ee Wei were the other Malaysian duo to be crowned champions following a 21-18, 21-18 win over Indonesia's Muh Putra Erwiansyah-Sofy Al Mushira Asharunnisa.

For Yeen Yuan-Valeree, both 19, it was their first senior tournament after being promoted from the junior squad earlier this year.

"At first, I couldn't find the rhythm of playing in a tournament after so long, but I kept controlling my emotions, my mind and my way of playing, adapting to the environment in the quickest way possible.

"Of course, I felt nervous, but I kept telling myself that there's nothing to lose and to just enjoy the matches by giving my best.

"I also talk to myself a lot. It motivates me.

"We may have won this (Slovenia International) tournament, but it's not enough.

"Hopefully, we can go on to do the same in Austria," said Yeen Yuan.

The national players will travel to Styria next for the Austrian Open on May 27-30.

Meanwhile, BAM coaching director Wong Choong Hann admitted that it is back to the drawing board for players like Cheam June Wei, Leong Jun Hao and Ng Tze Yong, who had a disappointing outing at the recent Spain Masters.

"We know what is wrong, and of course, the challenges brought by the pandemic did not help much. However, that is not an excuse.

"There won't be any more tournaments for them, not until after the Olympics, so we will look into things when they get back from Spain," said Choong Hann.

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