ANDRIK Lim is finally showing some progress after joining the national setup a year ago.
The Form Five student of Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) served a surprise by reaching the boys’ Under-17 final of the National Junior Championships at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The left-handed player defeated second seed Joachim Chuah 11-7, 11-6, 4-11, 11-9 in the semi-finals.
“It has been a year since I left Melaka to join BJSS and I think my game has improved considerably,” said Andrik, who turns 17 in December.
“The main reason why I left Melaka was that I really wanted to improve my game and there was a lack of quality sparring partners back home.
“And I think today (yesterday), I did pretty good against Joachim, even though I lost a bit of focus in the third game.”
Andrik plays top seed Amir Amirul Azhar, who defeated Hi Jia Rong 11-7, 14-12, 4-11, 11-7, for the crown today.
The Melaka-born, who won the Under-17 title at last year’s Hong Kong Junior Open, is eager to deliver another upset especially with a spot at the World Junior Team Championships in Gold Coast (in July) at stake.
“I believe that if I continue to improve, I will have a chance to make the World Juniors squad,” Andrik added.
“It’s not going to be easy against Amir even though we’re the same age as he has more international experience.”
RESULTS (BJSS unless stated) — S-Finals, Boys’ Under-11: Jayden Oon (FT) bt Marcus Lee (Swk) 11-6, 11-1, 11-3; Sim Yeak Wei (Ked) bt Raziq Putra Fakhrur Razi (FT) 11-4, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8;
Under-13: Wong Lee Hong (Swk) bt Aqil Mirza Naim (Ked) 11-1, 11-2, 11-3; M. Nickhileswar (Pen) bt M. Kreethi Pillay (Prk)11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 11-4;
Under-15: Harith Danial bt Low Wa Sern (Prk) 11-5, 11-7, 11-6; Chris Lau (Swk) bt Tay Jun Qian (Sel) 11-6, 11-8, 11-7;
Under-17: Amir Amirul Azhar bt Hi Jia Rong 11-7, 14-12, 4-11, 11-7; Andrik Lim bt Joachim Chuah (FT) 11-7,11-6, 4-11, 11-9;
Under-19: Duncan Lee bt Wee Ming Hock 12-10, 11-5, 12-10; Danial Nurhaqiem bt Nathan Kueh (Swk) 11-9, 3-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-3.
Girls’ Under-11: Harleein Tan (NS) bt Lee Xin Yii (Swk) 11-6, 11-2, 11-6; Vimietha Prakash (NS) bt Amanda Nur Mumtazah (Ked) 11-2, 12-10, 12-10;
Under-13: Whitney Wilson (Pen) bt Vinosagi Monn (NS) 11-3, 11-1, 11-3; Doyce Lee (Sab) bt Haneesha Veerakumar (NS) 11-6, 12-10, 11-9;
Under-15: K. Sehveetrraa (Ked) bt Goh Zhi Xuan 11-9, 11-5, 10-12, 3-11, 11-4; U. Thanusaa bt Anrie Goh 11-3, 11-5, 11-8;
Under-17: Aira Azman bt N. Shasmithaa (Sel) 11-9, 7-11, 11-4, 11-8; Yee Xin Ying bt Wong Heng Wai (Ked) 11-8, 11-7, 14-16, 11-6;
Under-19: Amirah Rusydina Rosli (FT) bt Nurul Farzana Fairuz (Ked) 11-4, 11-8, 11-9; Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi bt Jessica Keng (Sab) 12-10, 9-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6.