KUALA LUMPUR: Chan Yiwen never let her right shin injury affect her as she won her first Malaysia Games individual squash title today.
The Federal Territories player, who picked up the injury in Australia last week, overcame joint third-fourth Aira Azman of Kedah 11-3, 8-11, 3-11, 11-5, 11-4 in the final at the National Squash Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
It was an early birthday present for the second seeded Yiwen who will turn 22 on Sept 25.
Yiwen said she was delighted to have finally won her first individual gold in three Malayisa Games.
"It's also a birthday present for me and it feels really nice.
"In the last Games in Perak four years, I lost in the final to Aira's elder sister Aifa, but this time I made sure that I go all out to win the gold as this is my third and last Games.
"I started off well in the first set but I lost my focus and rhythm in the next two sets as the injury was bothering me.
"But I got back on track and fought for every ball to win the next two matches," said the two-time Asian junior champion.
Meanwhile, second seed Ong Sai Hung of Kedah captured the men's individual title for the first time after subduing teammate and joint third-fourth seed Hafiz Zharif Abdul Harif 11-7, 11-5, 5-11, 11-6.
Sai Hung, who won the final in 51 minutes, said: "I have finally won my first gold in my fourth and final Games. It feels really nice.
"Hafiz gave me a good fight in the final, but I raised my game to beat him."
RESULTS
Men singles final: Ong Sai Hung (Ked) beat Hafiz Zharif Abdul Harif (Ked) 11-7, 11-5, 5-11, 11-6.
Third placing: Sanjay Jeeva (NS) bt Darren Pragasam (NS) 11-7, 15-13, 5-11, 12-14, 12-10.
Women's singles final: Chan Yiwen (FT) beat Aira Azman (Ked) 11-3, 8-11, 3-11, 11-5, 11-4.
Third placing: Wen Li Lai (Sab) beat (walkover) Ainaa Amani (FT)
Mixed doubles final: Harith Danial-Nathalie Sim (Swk) bt Nathan Kueh-Mah Si Yi (Swk) 9-11, 11-9, 11-5.
Third placing: S. Sunil Kumar-Shasmithaa (Sel) bt C. Ameeshenraj-Nur Maisara Azlan Shah (NS) 5-11, 11-8, 11-5.