KUCHING: Nine years of waiting finally came to an end.
Malaysia are once again Asian junior badminton champions after mixed doubles pair Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal-Low Zi Yu produced a composed display to defeat China’s Zheng Wei Gang-Li Meng Han 21-15, 22-20 in the final of the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yatsushiro, Japan on Sunday (July 5).
Their victory ended the country’s title drought stretching back to 2017, when Leong Jun Hao captured the boys’ singles crown in South Tangerang, Indonesia, while also completing a remarkable turnaround for the national junior squad after returning empty-handed from last year’s edition in Surakarta.
The triumph carried even greater significance for Malaysian badminton.
It marked only the nation’s second mixed doubles title in the tournament’s history, following Tan Wee Kiong-Woon Khe Wei’s breakthrough triumph in 2007 — ending Malaysia’s 19-year-wait for another mixed doubles crown.
Redzuan and Zi Yu wasted little time stamping their authority on the final.
The Malaysians dictated the opening exchanges with confident attacking play and clever shot selection, repeatedly forcing the Chinese pair onto the defensive as they raced to a convincing first-game victory.
China mounted a much sterner challenge in the second game, matching Malaysia point for point as the contest became increasingly tense.
But whenever the pressure mounted, Redzuan and Zi Yu remained composed.
Their tactical discipline and willingness to stay patient during the longer exchanges prevented Zheng and Li from building sustained momentum, with the Malaysians producing the decisive points when it mattered most to seal the title 22-20 at the decider.
Rather than relying on outright power, the pair blended controlled aggression with intelligent placement, consistently moving their opponents around the court before capitalising on loose returns.
Even when China threatened to force a deciding game, the Malaysians never panicked, showing maturity beyond their years to close out the contest in straight games.
The title also capped an impressive tournament for Zi Yu, who returned home with two medals after partnering Genevie Lim to a bronze medal in the girls’ doubles.
More importantly, the victory signals renewed promise for Malaysia’s next generation.
After enduring nine years without an Asian Junior champion and leaving last year’s championships without a medal, the wait is finally over.
Malaysia once again have an Asian junior title to celebrate.
