KUALA LUMPUR, 9 Jan – Perjuangan beregu wanita negara, Peraly Tan-M. Thinaah pada Kejohanan Badminton Perodua Malaysia Masters 2020 sudah berakhir.

Mereka tewas kepada pasangan dari Indonesia, Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu 20-22, 15-21 pada aksi pusingan kedua di Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil hari ini.

Pada perlawanan pusingan pertama semalam, pasangan negara itu tampil cemerlang untuk menewaskan rakan senegara, Anna Cheong-Lim Chiew Sien, sekali gus menempah tiket ke pusingan kedua.

Kekalahan itu bagaimanapun memberi pengalaman berguna buat pasangan muda negara itu bagi membantu meningkatkan lagi kelemahan yang ada dengan gaya permainan mereka.

Sememangnya bukan mudah untuk berdepan lawan yang lebih berpengalaman, namun ia sekurang-kurangnya dapat membantu  untuk mengenal pasti sejauh mana kemampuan mereka sejak mula digandingkan.

Meskipun tewas, pasangan muda negara itu telah memperlihatkan mutu permainan yang menarik, namun pengalaman beraksi pada kejohanan kompetitif agak menjejaskan fokus mereka ketika berdepan asakan pemain lawan.

“Saya akui lawan kami lebih berpengalaman dan mereka kelihatan lebih tenang mengawal permainan.

“Kami berharap pengalaman ini dapat membantu meningkatkan mutu permainan kami selepas ini. Ini merupakan penampilan sulung kami dalam kejohanan berstatus lima bintang,” jelas Thinaah.

Sementara itu dalam acara beregu lelaki, gandingan Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik terlalu mudah dijinakkan oleh beregu Indonesia, Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo pada aksi pusingan kedua.

Pasangan negara itu tewas 15-21, 11-21 dalam tempoh 26 minit.

Beregu campuran negara, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying dan Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai pula mara ke suku akhir selepas menewaskan lawan masing-masing pada pusingan kedua.

Peng Soon-Liu Ying,  menyingkirkan beregu dari Korea Selatan, Choi Solgyu-Shin Seung Chan  21-13, 21-13 dan menanti mereka di suku akhir adalah  pasangan Jepun, Takuro Hoki-Wakana Nagahara.

Sebelum itu, gandingan Jepun itu mengejutkan pasangan pilihan keempat dari Thailand, Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai, 21-17, 23-21.

Pasangan Soon Huat-Shevon pula akan berdepan beregu campuran utama dunia, Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong dari China.

Pasangan negara sebelum itu menewaskan beregu dari Perancis, Thim GIcquel-Delphine Delrue 21-16, 21-14 manakala pasangan China pula menang 21-10, 21-14 ke atas gandingan dari Hong Kong, Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet.

KEPUTUSAN
Perseorangan Lelaki:
Shi Yu Qi (CHN) kln Lu Guang Zu (CHN) 21-16, 21-12
LEE ZII JIA (MAS) kln Sameer Verma (IND) 21-19, 22-20
Kento Momota (JPN) kln H.S.Prannoy (IND) 21-14, 21-16
Angus Ng Ka Long (HKG) kln Chou Tien Chen (TPE) 23-21, 21-17
Huang Yu Xiang (CHN) kln Jan O Jorgesen (DEN) 14-21, 21-19, 21-18
Jonatan Christie (INA) kln Rasmus Gemke (DEN) 22-20, 21-13
Chen Long (CHN) kln Lee Cheuk Yiu (HKG) 21-18, 21-13
Viktor Axelsen (DEN) kln Kenta Nishimoto (JPN) 21-6, 21-17

Perseorangan Wanita:
Chen Yu Fei (CHN) kln Nitchaon Jindapol (THA) 21-12, 21-13
Wang Zhi Yi (CHN) kln Ratchanok Intanon (THA) 19-21, 21-11, 22-20
Saina Nehwal (IND) kln An Se Young (KOR) 25-23, 21-12
Carolina Marin (ESP) kln Cai Yan Yan (CHN) 21-16, 21-18
P.V. Sindhu (IND) kln Aya Ohori (JPN) 21-10, 21-15
Tai Tzu Ying (TPE) kln Sung Ji Hyun (KOR) 21-18, 16-21, 21-10
He Bing Jiao (CHN) kln Ruselli Hartawan (INA) 21-13, 21-17
Nozomi Okuhara (JPN) kln Sayaka Takahashi (JPN) 21-14, 21-9

Beregu Lelaki:
ONG YEW SIN-TEO EE YI (MAS) kln Han Cheng Kai-Zhou Hao Dong (CHN) 21-13, 21-18
Kim Gi Jung-Lee Yong Dae (KOR) kln Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda (JPN) 21-15, 21-17
Akira Koga-Taichi Saito (JPN) kln Huang Kai Xiang-Liu Cheng (CHN) 21-10, 16-21, 23-21
Li Jun Hui-Liu Yu Chen (CHN) kln Lee Jhe Huei-Yang Po Hsuan (TPE) 18-21, 21-17, 21-13
Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA) kln AARON CHIA-SOH WOOI YIK (MAS) 21-15, 21-11
Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan (INA) kln Liao Min Chun-Su Ching Heng (TPE) 21-11, 21-15
Lee Yang-Wang Chi-Lin (TPE) kln Kim Dukyoung-Kim Sa Rang (KOR) 19-21, 21-18, 21-9
Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto (INA) kln Choi Solgyu-Seo Seung Jae (KOR) 21-16, 21-14

Beregu Wanita:
Lee So Hee-Shin Seung Chan (KOR) kln Selena Piek-Cheryl Seinen (NED) 21-15, 21-19
Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida (JPN) kln Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan (CHN) 21-15, 21-12
Chang Ye Na-Kim Hye Rin (KOR) kln Hsu Ya Ching-Hu Ling Fang (TPE) 21-17, 21-14
Du Yue-Li Yin Hui (CHN) kln Puttita Supajirakul-Sapsiree Taerattanachai (THA) 21-18, 21-14
Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu (INA) kln PEARLY TAN-M.THINAAH (MAS) 22-20, 21-15
Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi (JPN) kln Ekaterina Bolotova-Alina Davletova (RUS) 21-17, 21-9
Kim So Yeong-Kong Hee Yong (KOR) kln Lui Xuan Xuan-Xia Yu Ting (CHN) 21-17, 19-21, 21-15
Li Wen Mei-Zheng Yu (CHN) kln Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota (JPN) 18-21, 24-22, 21-17

Beregu Campuran:
Lee Yang-Yang Ching Tun (TPE) kln Ko Sung Hyun-Eom Hye Won (KOR) 21-19, 13-21, 21-18
CHAN PENG SOON-GOH LIU YING (MAS) kln Choi Solgyu-Shin Seung Chan (KOR) 21-13, 21-13
Takuro Hoki-Wakana Nagahara (JPN) kln Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai (THA) 21-17, 23-21
GOH SOON HUAT-SHEVON LAI (MAS) kln Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue (FRA) 21-16, 21-14
Robin Tabeling-Selena Piek (NED) kln Mathias Christiansen-Alexandra Boje (DEN) 21-18, 11-21, 21-10
Hafiz Faizal-Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja (INA) kln MAN WEI CHONG-PEARLY TAN (MAS) 21-12, 21-14
Wang Yi Lyu-Huang Dong Ping (CHN) kln Ricky Karandasuwardi-Pia Zebadiah Bernadet (INA) 21-13, 25-23
Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong (CHN) kln Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet (HKG) 21-13, 21-17

KUALA LUMPUR, 8 Jan – 20 pemain mendapat panggilan untuk menyertai kem latihan skuad futsal negara sebagai persiapan menghadapi Kejohanan Futsal Antarabangsa Thailand 2020 yang dijadualkan berlangsung di Songkhla pada 2 hingga 8 Februari depan.

Sepanjang kem latihan itu nanti, mereka akan dikendalikan oleh ketua jurulatih futsal lelaki kebangsaan, Chiew Chun Yong (gambar atas).

Latihan pusat itu akan bermula pada 23 Januari ini dan 14 pemain terbaik akan mendapat tempat dalam skuad kebangsaan.

Kejohanan di Songkhla itu bakal disertai pasukan tuan rumah, Thailand, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar dan Turkmenistan.

Menurut satu kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) hari ini, enam pasukan yang beraksi pada kejohanan tersebut akan dibahagikan kepada dua kumpulan dan dua pasukan teratas setiap kumpulan layak ke separuh akhir.

Thailand menganjurkan kejohanan jemputan itu sebagai medan ‘pemanas badan’ menjelang pusingan akhir Kejohanan Futsal Konfederasi Bola Sepak Asia (AFC) 2020 di Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, pada Mac nanti.

Malaysia tidak layak ke kelompok 16 pasukan terbaik Asia selepas gagal meraih tiga slot bagi zon ASEAN apabila terkandas di peringkat kumpulan pada saingan Kejuaraan Futsal Persekutuan Bola Sepak ASEAN (AFF) 2019 di Vietnam, Oktober lalu.

INFO
Berikut senarai 20 pemain ke kem latihan pusat:
Azrul Hadee Mohd Taufiq          (Selangor)
Syed Aizad Daniel Syed Nasir     (Selangor)
Muhammad Azri Rahman             (Selangor)
Muhammad Fariq Mohammad          (Selangor)
Muhammad Saad Abdul Sani         (Melaka)
Muhammad Ekmal Shahrin           (Melaka)
Mohamad Danial Abdul Dain        (Melaka)
Muhammad Syafiq Hamzah           (Pahang)
Abu Haniffa Hasan                (Pahang)
Khairul Effendy Mohd Bahrin      (Pahang)
Saiful Nizam Mohd Al             (Pahang)
Mohd Azwann Ismail               (Pahang)
Ahmad Harith Naim Mohd Nasir     (Pahang)
Muhammad Syawal Sabaruddin       (Perak)
Mohd Ridzwan Bakri               (Perak)
Mohamad Awalluddin Mat Nawi      (Perak)
Muhammad Farikh  Rahman          (Perak)
Muhammad Azamuddin Hasan         (Kuala Lumpur)
Iqhmal Najmie Ismail             (Pulau Pinang)
Ahmad Akil Khalis Adli Khairuz   (Terengganu)

KUALA LUMPUR, 8 Jan – Gandingan beregu wanita negara, Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah meneruskan langkah ke pusingan kedua pada Kejohanan Badminton Perodua Malaysia Masters 2020 di Arena Axiata, Bukit Jalil hari ini.

Ia hasil kemenangan ke atas rakan senegara, Anna Cheong Ching Yik-Lim Chiew Sien 21-15, 21-10 pada aksi pusingan pertama.

Ia boleh dianggap sebagai penyelamat buat skuad beregu wanita negara yang tampil agak suram pada kejohanan kali ini.

Gandingan Pearly-Thinaah yang telah menampilkan rentak permainan cemerlang ketika mengharungi cabaran pada pusingan kelayakan dua hari lalu merupakan satu-satunya wakil wanita negara yang masih meneruskan perjuangan pada kejohanan berstatus Super 500 itu.

Satu lagi pasangan wanita negara, Teoh Mei Xing-Yap Ling terkandas seawal pusingan pertama lagi selepas mudah dijinakkan beregu Jepun, Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida 19-21, 14-21.

Mengulas kemenangan pada aksi pusingan pertama itu, Thinaah menjelaskan bahawa mereka sudah mengetahui corak permainan lawan mereka dan ia memudahkan tugas untuk meraih kemenangan.

“Anna dan Chiew Sien merupakan rakan sepelatih dan kami berlatih bersama setiap hari. Kami sudah tahu tahap kemampuan mereka dan ia memudahkan tugas untuk merancang strategi permainan. Selain itu, prestasi kami juga berada pada tahap terbaik hari ini,” jelas Thinaah.

Menurut Thinaah, 21, kemenangan tersebut menjadi pembakar semangat buat mereka untuk mengharungi saingan pusingan kedua nanti berdepan beregu dari Indonesia, Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu.

Gandingan dari Indonesia itu merupakan pilihan kelapan pada kejohanan kali ini.

BUKIT JALIL, 8 Jan – Liga Hoki TNB Malaysia 2020 akan membuka tirai secara rasmi pada Jumaat ini.

Skuad Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) dan Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) akan berentap di Stadium Hoki Nasional Bukit Jalil bagi merebut Piala Sumbangsih dan perlawanan tersebut turut menawarkan tiga mata pertama untuk pasukan yang muncul pemenang.

THT merupakan juara Piala Sumbangsih 2019 selepas menewaskan UniKL 3-1 di Kuala Terengganu menerusi penentuan shoot-out apabila aksi 60 minit berkesudahan seri 2-2.

Bagi aksi untuk musim 2020 ini, kedua-dua pasukan memasang azam untuk meraih kejuaraan pertama selain mengutip tiga mata penuh bagi menaikkan semangat mereka untuk mengharungi saingan musim baharu.

Kapten pasukan Terengganu, Mohd. Fitri Saari ketika dihubungi menyifatkan, UniKL bakal menjadi pencabar terkuat untuk musim ini kerana pasukan tersebut dibarisi pemain hebat namun tetap percaya pengalaman yang dimiliki oleh jurulatih baru mereka, Muhammad Dharmaraj Abdullah serta barisan pemain THT, mampu untuk merealisasikan sasaran yang telah ditetapkan oleh pihak pengurusan.

“Persiapan pasukan kami berjalan dengan baik cuma pemain import dari Pakistan tiba agak lewat. Kami berharap keserasian dalam kalangan pemain dapat dibentuk sebaik mungkin.

“Lawan kami juga mempunyai khidmat pemain import yang hebat, ditambah dengan kehadiran Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, jadi saya boleh katakana UniKL adalah pasukan yang wajar diberi perhatian musim ini.

“Saya berharap dengan kehadiran jurulatih berpengalaman iaitu Dharmaraj Abdullah dan kemasukan pemain-pemain baharu nanti dapat membantu pasukan untuk mencapai sasaran yang telah ditetapkan,” jelas Fitri.

Sementara itu, kapten skuad UniKL, Muhammad Marhan Mohd. Jalil tidak melihat sebarang masalah buat pasukan mereka untuk membentuk keserasian bersama pemain import kerana rata-rata mereka telah beraksi bersama sebelum ini.

“Tahun ini, UniKL hanya mendapatkan khidmat seorang pemain import baharu iaitu Roel Franciscus Jacobus Bovendeert.

“Dari segi persiapan semuanya berada dalam keadaan lancar dan motivasi para pemain juga berada pada tahap terbaik.

“Matlamat utama kami adalah untuk meraih kemenangan dan mendapatkan tiga mata penuh,” ujar Marhan.

Dalam pada itu, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pertandingan Konfederasi Hoki Malaysia (KHM), Datuk Sri Dr. Anil Jeet Singh berharap sumbangan yang dihulurkan kepada Yayasan Kebajikan Atlet Kebangsaan (YAKEB) dan Badan Kebajikan Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) sempena perlawanan Piala Sumbangsih 2020 dapat meringankan beban YAKEB untuk membantu bekas-bekas atlet negara yang memerlukan.

“Bagi pihak Jawatankuasa Pertandingan KHM, saya ingin mengucapkan selamat berjuang kepada kedua-dua pasukan yang akan beraksi bagi merebut Piala Sumbangsih 2020.

“Dari segi sumbangan yang akan diberikan kepada YAKEB dan Badan Kebajikan TNB, saya berharap ia sedikit sebanyak dapat membantu atlet serta mereka yang memerlukannya.

“Saya juga ingin mengambil kesempatan ini untuk mengucapkan terima kasih kepada pasukan THT dan UniKL serta TNB kerana telah memainkan peranan yang cukup penting untuk menaja perlawanan Piala Sumbangsih 2020,”  jelas Dr. Anil.

JADUAL PERLAWANAN
10 JANUARI
1700: Maybank lwn Hockademy KL
(Stadium Hoki Nasional 2)

1700: Kedah/Nurinsafi HT lwn UiTM HA
(Stadium Hoki Sg.Petani)

1800:TNB lwn TNB Thunderbolts
(Stadium Hoki Nasional 1)

2000: UniKL lwn THT (Piala Sumbangsih)
(Stadium Hoki Nasional 1)

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 Jan – With slightly less than five weeks left, organisers, Human Voyage has intensified efforts to ensure that preparation for Malaysia’s premier cycle race PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi 2020 (LTdL 2020), scheduled to commence in Kota Kinabalu on Feb 6, runs smoothly without major glitches. 

While acknowledging the huge logistical challenges of bringing the prestigious event to East Malaysia for three major happenings in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching which include the official team presentation, an International criterium and Stage 1 of the race, the organisers remained upbeat and determined that any challenges can be overcome with the cooperation of all related parties. 

 “Yes, it’s going to be an enormous logistical challenge for us, but we are fully prepared. We have mapped out meticulous preparation right to the smallest detail especially in the handling of teams, logistics and transportation. 

“Apart from bringing in our own entourage of well-experienced teams and personnel form our headquarters, we will be collaborating closely with the locals and experts as well as all related agencies in both states.

“We are thankful to both Sabah and Sarawak for the great cooperation and we are prepared for any eventualities,” said Human Voyage CEO, Datuk Ahmad Mustafa. 

LTdL returns to East Malaysia Sabah for the first time after a lapse of  23 years where the second edition of the Tour was held in 1997. 

2020 marks a significant year for the Tour as it celebrates its 25th Anniversary race since the staging of the inaugural 2.6-ranked edition in 1996.

LTdL 2020 is now graded as a UCI-Pro Series race, just a notch below the World Tour Series (Grand Tour – Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta Espana), UCI Classics Series and other UCI WorldTour races. 

The 8-stage race starts at Padang Merdeka in Kuching on 7 Feb 2020 and ends in Kuah, Langkawi on 14 February 2020.

Kota Kinabalu will host the Team Presentation ceremony on Feb 5 followed by the Criterium International race, to be staged in the heart of the city on Feb 6 in conjunction with the silver jubilee celebration.

The Criterium International is scheduled over a distance of  95.2km, providing great opportunities for Under-23 Malaysian and ASEAN riders to compete against UCI elite and professional cyclists in a highly competitive atmosphere.

From Kota Kinabalu, the entourage then moves to Kuching for Stage 1 which starts and finish at Padang Merdeka. Upon the completion of Stage 1, the race entourage heads for Kuala Terengganu via flight for Stage 2 the following day. 

The 25th-anniversary celebration will conclude with the one-day Malaysia Classic race, dubbed the “Race of the Champions” on 15 February in Langkawi which features national champions from all over the world. 

According to Datuk Ahmad, Sabah and Sarawak stand to gain immensely with the staging of the race in both states following the strong presence of foreign teams, riders and officials and international media corps from all over the world.

“Over the one-week period, the race entourage which includes international television and media will converge in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. It will indeed derive economic benefits as well as worldwide media exposure. This certainly augurs well not only for the promotion of sports and cycling in the states but help project and feature the unique culture and great attractions both states have to offer,” said Datuk Ahmad Mustafa. 

Some 132 riders from 22 teams are expected to participate in this year’s Tour which include the World Tour, Pro Continental and Continental outfits from across Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa and America.

 In conjunction with the race’s 25th Anniversary, various sporting and social activities have also been planned as part of its efforts to engage and excite the community.

BUKIT JALIL, 6 Jan –  Fast-rising Malaysian singles ace, Lee Zii Jia has followed in the footsteps of world badminton legend and national icon, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, to become a 100PLUS Brand Ambassador.

The 21 year old player from Kedah has signed a two year agreement with 100PLUS.

100PLUS, the nation’s No.1 isotonic beverage, announced the partnership with Zii Jia at a press conference held at the Axiata Arena on Monday.

Aside from Zii Jia, the function was attended by Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) President, Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria, BAM General Secretary, Datuk Kenny Goh and 100PLUS Senior Marketing Manager, Leong Wai Yin.

“100PLUS is a leading brand in the country and having them sign me on as their brand ambassador is recognition of my efforts. As a player, deals like this will further encourage and inspire me to achieve even better results,” said Zii Jia.

“For me, this deal is timely, just before the Perodua Malaysian Masters and more importantly, for the Olympics in Tokyo later this year. I am looking forward to a great start this week and also promise to deliver my best in Tokyo and bring honour to our country.

“Finally, I want to thank BAM and 100PLUS for their support and making this deal happen.”

Zii Jia will follow the illustrious footsteps of Chong Wei, who has been a 100PLUS Brand Ambassador since 2009.

Chong Wei and 100PLUS have had a brilliant partnership which saw the Malaysian star become the World No. 1 and later going on to claim three Olympics silver medals.

For the record, women’s singles ace, Goh Jin Wei, is also a 100PLUS Brand Ambassador.

“We have been following his progress for the last few years and we are impressed with his commitment and hardwork.

He never gives up and fights to the end and has turned out to be a great role model for youngsters. We are confident he will continue to develop and will eventually take over as the No.1 singles player in the world,” said Wai Yin at the press conference.

“On this note, I am pleased to announce that we have agreed a two-year deal with Zii Jia. We look forward to working with him and wish him all the best this New Year, particularly for the Tokyo Olympics.”

Wai Yin also revealed that 100PLUS would be providing Zii Jia with a RM10,000 cash incentive for winning the recent Manila SEA Games singles gold medal.

“He performed remarkably to win the gold medal. Well done, Zii Jia.”

Meanwhile, for the Perodua Malaysian Masters, players will benefit from consuming 100PLUS ACTIVE which has a special non-carbonated formulation to quickly rehydrate and replenish the fluids and electrolytes lost during exercise and sport and reenergises with added Vitamin B3, B6 and B12.

100PLUS, a Silver sponsor for Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in 2017, is synonymous with supporting sports in the country.

The Football Association of Malaysia and the Badminton Association of Malaysia are among the sports associations that 100PLUS sponsors.

100PLUS is also the Official Isotonic drink of the Malaysian Football League.

100PLUS is also the recommended drink of the National Sports Council.

KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Jan – Since its inaugural tournament in 2009, Malaysia remain as the big winners in the Malaysia Masters Badminton Championships but were left without any titles since 2017 when Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing last won the mixed doubles titles in 2017.

Since the inclusion of Perodua and Daihatsu as main sponsors which saw the tournament elevated to the Super 500 tournament in 2018, Malaysia has yet to win any titles although Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi managed to storm into the final.

Both however lost to their opponents in the final of the 2018 and 2019 editions respectively.

The Malaysia Masters began in 2009 as a Grand Prix Gold tournament but was listed as one of the seven Super 500 tournaments following Perodua and Daihatsu’s sponsorship as well as the increase in prize money of USD$400,000 compared to the previous USD$120,000.

National legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei gave Malaysia the cheers after winning the men’s singles title in 2016 in Penang.

Chong Wei has won the singles crown five times since the inaugural championships in 2009.

Top-ranked Kento Momota from Japan, will be eager to add the Perodua Malaysia Masters title to his collection.

Last year, Momota surprisingly lost to Kenta Nishimoto in the first round.

The men’s singles battle is expected to be unpredictable with South Korea through Son Wan Ho, Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) and Hong Kong’s Angus Ng dominating the last 3 editions while the women’s singles were clearly ruled by India and Thailand.

With China slowly losing grip in the women’s singles with their last trophy came from Yao Xue in 2014, all eyes will again be on Thai women ace, Ratchanok Intanon who will be gunning for a hattrick win in next week’s tournament after winning her titles in 2018 and 2019.

Taiwanese ace and world No. 1, Tai Tzu Ying has not been lucky thus far in the women’s singles competition but India, with Pusarla V. Sindhu (2013 and 2016 champion) and former champion Saina Nehwal (2017) spearheading the squad, they will undoubtedly be one of the hot favourites this time around.

Indonesia were the top winners in the men’s doubles, winning titles in the last four years (twice by Marcus Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya in 2016 and 2019) while Japanese pair won twice since 2016 in the women’s doubles.

Indonesia were clearly dominant in the men’s doubles with four titles in a row since 2016.

Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan started the ball rolling after clinching the 2010 edition.

Marcus Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya followed suit in 2016 and 2019 but they skipped the tournament in 2018, opening the path for young pair of Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Adrianto to ensure Indonesia’s dominance.

The Indonesian pair defeated Malaysia’s Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong in 2018 final.

Prior to that, Berry Agriawan-Hardianto won the title in 2017 in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia’s Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong won three times in  2009, 2011 and 2012 while Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah took the 2013 title.

Japanese shuttlers, with the Tokyo Olympics looming closer at home, will be going all out to make their mark where champions, Yuki Fukushima-Hirota and Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino will again be relied upon to deliver the goods in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles respectively.

The Perodua Malaysia Masters presented by Daihatsu 2020, scheduled at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil from January  7-12, is expected to draw huge attention with its star-studded field ready to entertain fans with top and thrilling action throughout the week-long tournament.

PAST CHAMPIONS

 2019

Men’s Singles:          Son Wah Ho (KOR)

Women’s Singles:    Ratchanok Intanon (THA)

Men’s Doubles:         Marcus Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sakamuljo (INA)

Women’s Doubles:   Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota (JPN)

Mixed Doubles:        Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino (JPN)

2018

Men’s Singles:           Viktor Axelsen (DEN)

Women’s Singles:     Ratchanok Intanon (THA)

Men’s Doubles:         Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto (INA)

Women’s Doubles:   Kamilla Rytter Juhl-Christinna Pedersen (DEN)

Mixed Doubles:        Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet (HKG)

2017

Men’s Singles:           Angus Ng (HKG)

Women’s Singles:     Saina Nehwal (IND)

Men’s Doubles:         Benny Angriawan-Hardianto (INA)

Women’s Doubles:   Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai (THA)

Mixed Doubles:         Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (MAS)

2016

Men’s Singles:            Datuk Lee Chong Wei  (MAS)

Women’s Singles:      P.V. Sindhu (IND)

Men’s Doubles:           Marcus Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sakamuljo (INA)

Women’s Doubles:     Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi (JPN)

Mixed Doubles:          Zheng Siwei-Li Yunhui (CHN)

2015

Men’s Singles:             Lee Hyun-il (KOR)

Women’s Singles:       Nozomi Okuhara (JPN)

Men’s Doubles:            Kenta Kazun0-Kazushi Yamada (JPN)

Women’s Doubles:      Christinna Pedersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl (DEN)

Mixed Doubles:            Jaochim Fisher Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen (DEN)

2014

Men’s Singles:              Simon Santoso (INA)

Women’s Singles:        Yao Xue (CHN)

Men’s Doubles:            Danny Bawa Chrisnanta-Chayut Triyachart (SIN)

Women’s Doubles:      Huang Yaqiong-Yu Xiaohan (CHN)

Mixed Doubles:            Lu Kai-Huang Yaqiong (CHN)

2013

Men’s Singles:             Alamsyah Yunus (INA)

Women’s Singles:       P.V. Sindhu (IND)

Men’s Doubles:            Goh V Shem-Lim Kim Wah (MAS)

Women’s Doubles:      Pia Zebadiah Bernadeth-Rizki Amelia Pradipta (INA)

Mixed Doubles:            Praveen Jordan-Vita Marissa (INA)

2012

Men’s Singles:              Datuk Lee Chong Wei (MAS)

Women’s Singles:        BusananOngbumrungpan (THA)

Men’s Doubles:            Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (MAS)

Women’s Doubles:     Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty (MAS)

Mixed Doubles:          Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (MAS)

2011

Men’s Singles:             Datuk Lee Chong Wei (MAS)

Women’s Singles:       Wang Xin (CHN)

Men’s Doubles:            Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (MAS)

Women’s Doubles:      Miyuki Maeda-Satoko Suetsuna (JPN)

Mixed Doubles:            Tontowi Ahmad-LiliyanaNatsir (INA)

2010

Men’s Singles:              Datuk Lee Chong Wei (MAS)

Women’s Singles:        Yip Pui Yin (HKG)

Men’s Doubles:            Markis Kido-Hendrawan (INA)

Women’s Doubles:      Duanganong Aroonkesorn-Voravichitchaikul (THA)

Mixed Doubles:            Devin Lahardi Fitriawan-Liliyana Natsir (INA)

2009

Men’s Singles:               Datuk Lee Chong Wei (MAS)

Women’s Singles:         Wang Shixian (CHN)

Men’s Doubles:              Koo Kean Kiet-Tan Boon Heong (MAS)

Women’s Doubles:        Ma Jin-Wang Xiao Lin (CHN)

Mixed Doubles:             Zheng Bo-Ma Jin (CHN)

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 Jan – The absence of Benjamin Dyball – the yellow jersey winner of Le Tour de Langkawi 2019,  has not affected the confidence level of Sapura Cycling Team (TSC) as they look to maintain their supremacy at Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi 2020 slated for February 7-14.

TSC team manager, Sayuti Zahit admitted that while it will be hard to fill the vacuum left behind with the departure of Australian Dyball, he nevertheless felt that the current line-up of riders which they have chosen for the 25th edition of Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi will deliver what is expected of them.

“It has always been the objective on the formation of TSC to provide a platform for riders from Malaysia and abroad to showcase their quality. And we at Sapura is very pleased that Dyball has managed to demonstrate his ability enough to attract a World Tour team like NTT (formerly Dimension Data) to sign him,” said Sayuti.

“This is the fourth year for TSC has competed in Asia and we are grateful that our sponsors have once again come forward to support us.

“Our main sponsors, Sapura alongside Castelli, Rudy Project, Shimano and Cervelo have been fabulous. With the backing that we have, it is not impossible to be competitive and look to deliver even bigger victories in 2020.”

TSC which had a modest beginning back in 2017 where they won just four stages, did better in 2018 before completing 2019 with an awesome 26 stage victories alongside picking up four yellow jerseys.

The most satisfying obviously was Dyball’s yellow jersey win at Petronas LTdL 2019 right at home and in front of their home fans and where it went on to establish TSC as a powerhouse in Asia.

But with the 25th edition of Petronas LTdL in 2020 now a Pro Series race by UCI, Sayuti said that it will be an even tougher field to beat with a handful of World Tour teams alongside those from Pro Continental set to do battle.

“It is much easier to win stages than it would be taking a jersey. But we will try very hard to make sure that we retain the yellow jersey we won last year.

“I believe that it is possible considering that the race in 2020 will be more on flat terrains suitable for the likes of Marcus Culey, who won the first stage  Kuala Lumpur to Tampin in the previous edition, “ added Sayuti.

“It is for that reason; we have selected mostly spinters for Petronas LTdL 2020. But that is not to say that we have no climbers. We can be competitive up Genting Highlands as well.”

Other than Culey, fresh from his comprehensive victory at the Tour de Selangor a few weeks ago, TSC has included fast maturing Malaysians Nur Aiman Zariff and Muhamad Zawawi Azman alongside the experienced Roy Eefting from Holland.

They will also call on Turkey’s national road race and time trial champion Ahmet Orken; former Floyd Cycling team’s Serghei Tvetcov from Romania and perhaps TSC’s best bet for the yellow jersey Pierpaolo Ficara of Italy, and who was previously with Amore & Vita-Prodir.

As part of TSC’s programme to be competitive for Petronas LTdL 2020, they will be taking part in the Cambodia Bay Cycling Tour (on 6 January) and then on to New Zealand Cycle Classic, Race Tourquay and Jayco Herald Sun Tour in Australia before returning to Kuala Lumpur.

The 8-stage Jubilee edition challenge is scheduled from 7 to 14 February, covering a total distance of 1095.7km across 9 states which include Sarawak, Terengganu, Pahang, Federal Territories (Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur), Selangor, Perak , Penang and Kedah.

SAPURA CYCLING TEAM: Marcus Culey (AUS); Nur Aiman Zariff (MAS); Muhamad Zawawi Azman (MAS); Roy Eefting (NED); Ahmet Orken (TUR); SergheiTvetcov (ROM); Pierpaolo Ficara (ITA).

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 Jan – Youth Olympic gold medallist and national women’s singles ace, Goh Jin Wei visited her former alma mater, SMK Seri Hartamas today where she gave away tickets to students for this week’s Perodua Malaysia Masters Badminton Championship presented by Daihatsu at the Axiata Arena from Jan 7 to 12.

Jin Wei, 19, handed over a total of 120 tickets for the school’s students to watch the world’s top players in action this week.

With priceless Tokyo Olympic qualifying points up for grabs, the world’s top players have all signed up to compete.

The SMK Seri Hartamas students will get a chance to catch Jin Wei in action this week as she was recently given the green light by her doctor to compete again, following a major surgery three months ago.

Jin Wei will compete in the qualifying competition which starts on Jan 7.

Jin Wei is eager to pick up from where she left off and get her Olympic dream back on track, and a decent start this week will help.

For the record, Jin Wei performed remarkably in last year’s Perodua Malaysia Masters presented by Daihatsu where she reached the semi-finals after disposing off Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) and He Bingjiao (China).

She, however, fell to eventual champion Ratchanok Inthanon of Thailand in the last four.

“I’m happy to be back to my old school. It brings back a lot of memories of my time here, I learn a lot from this school,” said Jin Wei who added that she was pleased to be able to provide some complimentary tickets to the school.

“I hope they can come and support us and see the national team perform.”

On her return to action, Jin Wei explained that it will take some time to recover. “My current condition is at about 75 percent. I have to work harder to get back to 100 percent and even better. I don’t want to rush things at this stage,

Jin Wei is happy to have a chance at playing in the Malaysia Masters and said just wanted want to enjoy the tournament.

“I am not putting put any expectations on myself because I have not fully recovered, but its good platform for me to asses and see how my body is recovering.”

Also present at the school today were SMK Seri Hartamas Headmistress, Suzieany Mohd. Haris (second from right)  and Co-Curriculum Administrative Assistant,  Rohana Md Noh (right).

Meanwhile, badminton fans are reminded that it is free entry for matches on Jan 7.

Ticket charges will only be applied for all matches starting from Jan 8 to the final date on Jan 12.

Tickets are priced starting from RM49 to RM289 with the following categories (upper, lower, premium) while for students aged between 4 and 18-years-old (born between 2001 and 2017) need only to pay between RM13 to RM74 depending on the ticket class.

For the first time too, season passes have also been made available. For further information, please click on to http://www.myticket.asia/