YAP Roy King achieved a sweet double at the Malaysia Junior International Challenge in Putrajaya yesterday.
The up-and-coming shuttler showed grit and determination to win both the boys’ and mixed doubles titles in style.
Roy King, 18, first bagged the boys’ doubles crown with Ooi Jhy Dar, when they defeated compatriots Justin Hoh-Mohd Fazriq Sidek 21-14, 21-14 in the first final of the day.
The Johor-born then took to court with Gan Jing Err to claim the mixed doubles crown, following a 21-11, 21-12 win over Indonesia’s Ghana Muhammad Al Ilham-Berliana Alma Pradisa.
For both the Malaysian pairs, it was their first international title.
On whether it was tiring to play two tough matches on the same day, Roy King said: “I am very tired.
“But it’s not the first time for me. Last year, I played in two events at the World Junior Championships in Canada.
“It is nothing really as I love the sport,” said Roy King yesterday.
Roy King, who was part of the squad who fared badly at last month’s Asian Junior Championships in China, is confident of making amends if he is selected for the World Junior Championships in Russia on Sept 30-Oct 13.
“With the level, we are playing now, I am confident we can reach the semi-finals of the world junior meet,” added Roy King, who pocketed US$1,185 (RM5,000) for winning two titles.
Roy King along with Jhy Dar and Jing Err will next compete in the India Junior International on Aug 29-Sept 1.
RESULTS (ALL FINALS) — Boys’ singles: Bobby Setiabudi (Ina) bt Yonathan Ramlie (Ina) 22-20, 21-16; Doubles: Ooi Jhy Dar-Yap Roy King bt Justin Hoh-Mohd Fazriq Sidek 21-14, 21-14;
Girls’ singles: Tan Ning (Chn) bt Aisyah Sativa Fatetani (Ina) 17-21, 21-19, 21-8; Doubles: Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi (Ina) bt Helena Ayu Puspitasari-Aldira Rizki Putri (Ina) 22-20, 21-12;
Mixed doubles: Yap Roy King-Gan Jing Err bt Ghana Muhammad Al Ilham-Berliona Alma Pradisa (Ina) 21-11, 21-12.