KUCHING: The Sarawak Badminton Association’s SUKMA 2026 selection tournament at the SBA Hall here on Sunday (Feb 1) underlined the depth of talent emerging within the state’s badminton ranks.
The tournament, held from Jan 30 to Feb 1, served as a key platform for SBA selectors to assess players across the Under-21 categories as part of preparations for Sarawak’s Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2026 campaign.
In the girls’ singles, Janice Tchin Yao Xuan delivered a consistent performance to claim the title, overcoming Brenda Jong Jing Hui 15-12, 16-14 in the final.
The boys’ singles crown went to Chung Jia Ho, who impressed throughout the knockout stages with a 16-14, 15-5 win over Shawn Hiu.
Doubles events also produced encouraging signs, with several new combinations showing promise. In the girls’ doubles, Genevie Lim Tsin Yeen and Wafa Shahmina Rahman emerged champions defeating Janice Tchin Yao Xuan and Tan Zhi Yi 16-14, 17-15, while Darrent Lim Lian Zhan and Dexter Ong Shang Zherk topped the boys’ doubles defeating Brendan Liu Ee Haw and Leong Ming Kai 15-8, 10-15, 15-7.
The third-place playoffs saw Wafa Shahmina Rahman edge Julia Yek Ping 18–16, 15–11 in the women’s singles, while Jack Huong Jin Zhe overcame Chong Yan Cheng 18–16, 13–15, 15–4 in the men’s singles.
In the doubles events, Lee Tong and Levia Kho En Qi secured third place in the women’s doubles after defeating Brenda Jong Jing Hui and Yuki Leong Jaesie Mariam 16–14, 15–4, while Chin Kang Neng and Ho Sin Hong claimed the men’s doubles third spot with a 14–16, 15–11, 15–13 win over Chong Yan Cheng and Mohamad Najib Haqimi Mohamad Osman.
