KUALA LUMPUR: It was a historic day for Malaysia at the World Junior Championships as it will be an all Malaysian girls’ singles final tomorrow.
Goh Jin Wei and Lee Ying Ying yesterday defeated their respective Japanese opponents in the semi-final in Lima to finally end Malaysia’s gold medal drought at junior world meet.
Jin Wei, 15, was clearly in her element as she defeated Moe Araki 21-10, 21-10 while Ying Ying, 18, beat Natsuki Nidaira 21-15, 16-21, 21-14.
“I am so happy that these two girls have done it. We always knew they had it in them,” said BA of Malaysia development manager Kwan Yoke Meng.
“It doesn’t matter who wins in the final, they have proven to everyone that they are playing really top level badminton.
“Both players have got equal chances of winning the title.”
The last time Malaysia won gold at the World Junior Championships was back in 2011 through Zulfadli Zulkiffli (boys’ singles), Nelson Heg Wei Keat-Teo Ee Yi (boys’ doubles) and the mixed team event.