KUALA LUMPUR: The national under-19 (U-19) squash squad began their 2023 Asian Junior Championships campaign on the right footing by marching into the second round of the tournament in China yesterday.
In the women’s U-19 individual events at the Xiqang Gymnasium in Dalian, five-time Asian junior champion Aira Azman beat Sri Lanka’s Chanithma Sinely 11-8, 11-3, 11-0 while Goh Zhi Xuan overcame Hong Kong’s Lam Po Ying 11-6, 11-3, 11-6.
Thanusaa Uthrian and Sehveetrraa Kumar also advanced to the second round by defeating Hong Kong’s Leung Ka Huen 11-6, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9 and Singapore’s Leia 11-7, 11-3, 11-5 respectively.
In the men’s U-19 individual events, Joachim Chuah Han Wen beat Egypt’s Salem Al-Malki 11-2, 11-3, 11-2 while teammate Harith Danial Jefri defeated India’s Aryan Pratap Singh 11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6.
National junior squash coach Shahril Shahidan said Aira and Joachim played well.
“Joachim easily beat his opponent, who could not keep pace with Joachim on court.
“Aira had a shaky start and committed many unforced errors but as usual recovered with quality shots to achieve victory,” he said in a statement issued by the Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM). – BERNAMA
