KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao is looking forward to make the best out of his Malaysia International Challenge campaign that gets underway on Tuesday in Pasir Gudang as he wants to end the year on a high note.
It will be the 18-year-old’s first senior tournament since winning the boys’ singles silver medal at the World Junior Championships in Yogyakarta last month.
Jun Hao, however, will not have it easy as he is drawn in the same half as top seed Yu Igarashi of Japan and reigning national champion Lim Chi Wing.
The Kuala Lumpur born said: "I haven't really thought much about the field as I am only focused on my form.
"This is my first senior tournament since the World Junior Championships, and I want to make it count.
"I am pleased with my condition, so let's see. My target this year is to at least break into the top 150."
Jun Hao, is currently ranked No 319 in the world.
He plays Taiwan's Chi Yu Jen in the opening round and is likely to face Igarashi in the next stage.
"This may be my final tournament this year, so I can't say much if I will be able to achieve my goal, but hopefully I can,” he added.
Also in the fray is Lee Zii Jia, who is the second seed. The Kedah-born plays Japan's Yusuke Onodera in the first round.
The other BA of Malaysia (BAM) men's singles shuttlers in the tournament are Soo Teck Zhi, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Cheam June Wei, Soong Joo Ven, Chong Yee Han and Tan Jia Wei.
In the women's singles, Malaysia will be banking on the likes of Ho Yen Mei, S. Kisona and M.Thinaah.