KUALA LUMPUR: National singles player Leong Jun Hao is hoping to bounce right back from the disappointment of losing to China in the mixed team event final at the World Junior Championships in Yogjakarta, Indonesia today.
Jun Hao, who went down 21-14, 21-18 to China's Gao Zhengzhe in the boys' singles match, said he is now focusing on the individual event which will begin on Monday.
"I admit that I did not play well today. I really wanted to contribute a point to the team but ended up necessarily pressuring myself," said Jun Hao, when contacted.
"I have to accept this defeat and focus on the singles next. For now, the goal is to reach the semi-finals."
Jun Hao, who won the Asian Junior singles title earlier this year, will be overaged for the next edition of the World Junior Championships.
Malaysia lost 3-1 to China in the mixed team event final in Yogjakarta. Mixed doubles duo Man Wei Chong-Pearly Tan gave Malaysia the lead with a 21-12, 9-21, 21-17 win over Fan Qiuyue-Li Wenmei but it was all downhill from there.
The next game saw Jun Hao losing his match against Zhengzhe while boys' doubles pair Chang Yee Jun-Ng Eng Cheong went down 21-19, 21-17 to Fan Qiuyue-Wang Chang.
Former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei failed to keep the tie alive for Malaysia as she lost to Han Yue 21-16, 20-22, 21-8.
This is the third time that Malaysia have finished runners up in the mixed team event after 2009 and 2016. Malaysia won the category in 2011.
Translated from Berita Harian