Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai retrieved men’s doubles honours for Malaysia after a 13-year drought, nicking the title from China at the end of a week which had gone the hosts’ way for the most part.
China nevertheless celebrated a successful BWF World Junior Championships 2024, finishing with three titles, and just as significantly, recapturing both singles crowns after eight years.
The only other country to top the podium was Japan, who repeated their success in women’s doubles, with Aya Tamaki winning back-to-back titles.
Men’s singles winner Hu Zhe An
Sensational Skills
The virtuoso skills of the left-handed Tai and the all-round abilities of Kang swung the match for Malaysia, with Tai’s blinding interceptions and unlikely angles opening up the opportunities for the heavy-hitting Kang.
Yet, after the Malaysians had taken the opening game, the Chinese began to leverage their explosive game. Both Hu and Lin put in tremendous bursts from the deep, and they appeared to be coasting along early in the third. But the errors began to creep in as they struggled to maintain that work rate. Lin was playing his second match of the day, and the Malaysians stayed alert for half-chances. They sank to the floor in celebration after converting the fourth of five match points.
“I feel very happy,” said Kang. “Now I just want to go back to Malaysia and enjoy the food and see my family. I’m quite surprised, it’s a dream come true.”
“In the third game we tried to kept the focus on each point and not give up. There was pressure (when the Chinese saved three match points) but I tried to handle it, I tried to calm him down.”
Hu, Xu Win Singles
Women’s singles winner Xu Wen Jing
China were assured of both singles titles. Men’s singles top seed Hu Zhe An was dominant from start to finish over compatriot Wang Zi Jun, wrapping up the match 21-15 21-18, but women’s singles third seed Xu Wen Jing had to work harder for her win over Yin Yi Qing.
Yin threatened to take the match in straight games, but once Xu held her off, the final game was one-sided as the 14th seed looked exhausted.
“I wanted to be champion, so I’d put pressure on myself,” said Hu Zhe An. “I felt tense at the beginning, but after I got the lead, I got my attack going. It’s my last junior tournament, so it’s a great ending. Last year, in the first few months, I was in a bad situation. That was a hard time. But after the Asian Junior Championships I felt everything got better and better. Now I feel ready for the senior level. There are many chances now at the senior level, beginning with the Super 100, so I will focus on these tournaments.”
Other Results
China won the opening match of finals day, with big-hitter Lin Xiang Yi and partner Liu Yuan Yuan easing past Chinese Taipei’s Lai Po Yu/Liang Ching Sun 21-18 21-14.
Japanese No.4 seeds Ririna Hiramoto/Aya Tamaki denied Malaysia’s Low Zi Yu the chance to make history as the youngest-ever world junior champion. Hiramoto/Tamaki beat Low and Dania Sofea 21-17 21-17.
What They Said
Lin Xiang Yi & Liu Yuan Yuan
“My partner Lin is in two events, so my goal was to play at a high level to relieve him of the pressure. Although we lost the Mixed Team final, I didn’t feel bad as the silver is still a good achievement. This is my last junior year, so this is a very big accomplishment.” – Liu Yuan Yuan
“I played the first and second games really well. I thought I could finish it in the second game, but I wasn’t patient enough. After the interval in the third game, I couldn’t keep up as I have been playing three games through this week. I’m 16, so I have more chances coming up.” – Yin Yi Qing
“This means a lot for me and for China women’s singles, as it’s been eight years since we won the title. Also, I like Chen Yu Fei, so it’s nice that I was able to repeat her title win from 2016.” – Xu Wen Jing
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