MALAYSIA are on track for a bumper haul after qualifying for the final in seven of the eight events at the Asian Junior Squash Individual Championships in Macau yesterday.
The national youth team are assured of at least one gold medal via the girls’ Under-19 category which will feature an all-Malaysian final.
Defending champion and top seed Chan Yiwen booked her spot in the decider with a straightforward 11-6, 11-7, 11-4 win over India's Sanya Vats.
She faces Aifa Azman, who was forced to work hard before downing compatriot Ooi Kah Yan 11-8, 11-4, 10-12, 10-12, 11-2, for the crown today.
Yee Xin Ying edged Jessica Keng 11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 6-11, 11-6 and will play Hong Kong's Chan Sin Yuk in the Under-17 decider.
In the Under-15 class, Aira Azman remained on track to defend her title after overcoming Hong Kong's Mariko Tam 9-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-9. She takes on India's Yuvna Gupta in the final.
The Under-13 division will see Anrie Goh battling it out for the top prize with Hong Kong's Ena Kwong. Anrie notched an 11-9, 11-6, 11-4 win over top seed Anahat Singh of India.
In the boys’ section, Malaysia’s Nathan Kueh edged compatriot Duncan Lee 8-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-3 to book a spot in the final against India's Neel Joshi.
The Under-15 class saw Joachim Chua easing to an 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 win over Hong Kong’s Jat Tse. He faces Pakistan's Hamza Khan, who is the top seed, in the final.
Wong Lee Hong got the better of teammate Low Wa Sern in their Under-13 semi-final, closing out a hard earned 11-7, 11-5, 3-11, 11-7 win to book his spot in the final against Christopher M. Buraga of the Philippines.
Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) director of coaching Major (Rtd) S. Maniam said: “We have seven out of eight finals. We just missed out on the boys’ under-19 event.
“We had two gold medals last year and hopefully we can improve on that this time,” said Maniam in Macau yesterday.