Yao Han, Hong Kheng reunite to defend title

2009/11/05

K. M. Boopathy

OW Yao Han, who won the World junior title with Chooi Kah Ming, will reunite with Yew Hong Kheng to defend his boys' doubles crown in Guadalajara next year.

National junior doubles coach Yap Kim Hock, who was forced to split Yao Han-Hong Kheng after the Asian Junior Championships in July, said they are the best bets for Malaysia in an attempt to retain the boys' doubles crown for a third consecutive year.

Yao Han-Hong Kheng reached the final of the Asian Juniors but their inexperience told as they lost tamely to Indonesia's Rendy Yohanes Sugiarto-Angga Pratama.

Kim Hock's gamble paid off in the World Juniors in Alor Star as Yao Han-Kah Ming upset Rendy-Angga in the last four before beating another Indonesian combination Berry Anggriyawan-Muhammad Ullinuha.

Kah Ming, 18, will be over-aged for next year's championships and will be drafted into the back-up squad.

"Hong Kheng should be the best choice to replace Kah Ming and I believe this pair can make a strong impact in Mexico," said Kim Hock.

Ow Yao Han (right) and Yew Hong Kheng will be playing together again in the World Junior Championships in Guadalajara next year.

"I only had nine months to work with the current batch but there is plenty of time to turn Yao Han-Hong Kheng combination into championship material.

"Yao Han has already tasted success at this stage and he should be able to guide his former partner."

Yao Han will also be looking forward to earning a medal with Lai Pei Jing in the mixed doubles as the pair reached the quarter-finals in Alor Star in their first attempt.