IT was a memorable day for Malaysia with five titles to show at the Asian Junior Squash Championships in Macau on Sunday.
In an all-Malaysian girls’ Under-19 final, Chan Yiwen retained her title with a 7-11, 11-8, 13-11, 9-11, 12-10 win over a determined Aifa Azman.
However, Aifa’s sister, Aira defended her Under-15 crown with a 9-11, 11-1, 11-3, 11-9 win over India's Yuvna Gupta while Anrie Goh defeated Hong Kong's Ena Kwong 7-11, 4-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-9 in the Under-13 final.
Yee Xin Ying failed to make it to the top of the podium in the Under-17 category when she lost 11-3, 11-2, 11-8 to Hong Kong’s top seed Chan Sin Yuk.
In the boys’ category, an ill Nathan Kueh showed strong determination to down India's Neel Joshi 5-11, 11-3, 12-10, 11-8 in the Under-17 final while Joachim Chuah was forced to play second fiddle to Pakistan's Hamza Khan in the Under-15 category, going down 5-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-7.
Wong Lee Hong turned in a solid performance to down Christopher M. Buraga of the Philippines 11-8, 11-7, 11-4.
Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) director of coaching Major (Rtd) S. Maniam praised his players’ tremendous fighting spirit.
“We had seven finalists and all played outstanding squash today (yesterday),” said Maniam in Macau on Sunday.
“I am especially pleased with Nathan who played great squash despite suffering from mild diarrhoea.
“I thought he would throw in the towel as he was struggling but fought on with some beautiful drop shots for points.
Malaysia ended the campaign with a haul of 5-3-6.
The bronze medallists were Low Wa Sern (boys’ Under-13), Duncan Lee and Ameeshenraj Chandaran (Under-17), Doyce Lee (girls’ Under-13), Jessica Keng (Under-17) and Ooi Kah Yan (Under-19).