KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia dominated the Asian Junior Individual Squash Championships by grabbing five out of eight titles in Dalian, China on Sunday.
Second seed Low Wa Sern exacted sweet revenge by defeating defending champion and top seed Na Joo Young of South Korea 11-6, 11-9, 5-11, 13-11 in the final to win the boys' Under-17 title at Dalian Gymnasium Hall.
The Perak-born was thrilled with his win.
"Last year, I lost to Joo Young in straight sets in the Under-17 final in Pattaya. However, I played one of my best matches today to gain revenge," said Wa Sern.
"The win is a boost ahead of the Asian Junior Team Championships in February next year.
"I will take a break from squash to focus on my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations," said Wa Sern.
Compatriot Joachim Chuah lived up to his top billing in the boys' Under-19 event by overcoming second seed Harith Danial 11-9, 7-11, 10-12, 11-6, 13-11 in the final.
Unseeded Oon Jayden stole the show in the boy's Under-15 event by coming back from a game down to upset third seed Shunsaku Kariyazono of Japan 4-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5 in the final.
Aira Azman defeated compatriot K. Sehveetrraa 9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-1 to retain her girls' Under-19 crown in her final Asian Juniors.
Aira also won the Under-13 and Under-15 in the previous editions.
"It was not easy as the defending champions. The pressure was on me to win it again. I kept my cool and won the match," said Aira.
Malaysia's Jinoreeka Ning Manivannan defeated compatriot Niea Chew 11-9, 11-8, 11-9 to win the girls' Under-13 title.
However, Harleein Tan could not make it six titles for Malaysia after losing 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 3-11, 13-11 to Hong Kong's Helen Tang in the girls' Under-15 final.
In the 2022 edition in Pattaya, Malaysia won four titles.
RESULTS ALL FINALS
* Malaysians unless stated
Boys' Under-15: Oon Jayden bt Shunsaku Kariyazono (Jpn) 4-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5;Under-17: Low Wa Sern bt Na Joo Young (Kor) 11-6, 11-9, 5-11, 13-11;
Under-19: Joachim Chuah bt Harith Danial 11-9, 7-11, 10-12, 11-6, 13-11.
Girls's Under-13: Jinoreeka Ning Manivannan bt Niea Chew 11-9, 11-8, 11-9;
Under-15: Helen Tang (Hkg) bt Harleein Tan 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 3-11, 13-11;
Under-19: Aira Azman bt K. Sehveetrraa 9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-1.