The home crowd at the 2020 Hall in Perlis erupted in cheers today as Malaysian junior shuttlers clinched two coveted titles on the final day of the Petronas Malaysia Junior International Challenge 2025. The triumphant showing underscores Malaysia’s growing prowess in junior badminton, with impressive victories in the Mixed Doubles and Girls’ Doubles categories.
The first gold for Malaysia came through the formidable Mixed Doubles pair of Loh Ziheng and Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan. In an all-Malaysian final, the second-seeded duo faced off against top seeds Datu Anif Isaac Datu Asrah and Dania Sofea, a rematch of the Petronas National Under-18 Championships final earlier this year. Ziheng and Noraqilah, both 18 years old, demonstrated remarkable composure and resilience. After a nail-biting first set that saw them narrowly lose 20-22, they rallied decisively in the subsequent sets, securing a dominant 21-15, 21-12 victory in a thrilling 54-minute encounter. This win solidifies their standing as a dominant force in Malaysian junior mixed doubles.
Shortly after, Malaysia celebrated its second title thanks to the exceptional performance of Low Zi Yu and Dania Sofea Zaidi in the Girls’ Doubles. The top-seeded pair, and silver medalists at last year’s World Junior Badminton Championship, showcased their superior skill and coordination. They dispatched the Thai Deearom sisters, Khanaphon and Thanaphon, in a swift 36-minute match, winning comfortably with scores of 21-11, 21-19. For Low Zi Yu, this victory was particularly sweet, making up for her earlier disappointment in the Girls’ Singles event.
While Ziheng came close to a double triumph, partnering with Tan Zhi Yang in the Boys’ Doubles, they were ultimately denied by a spirited Indonesian pair. Despite entering as the top seeds, Ziheng and Zhi Yang, after taking the first set 21-18, succumbed to the third-seeded duo of Alexius Ongkytama Subagio and Aquino Evano Keneddy Tangka. The Indonesian pair fought back valiantly, taking the next two sets 21-19, 22-20, to clinch the title.
In other notable results, the Boys’ Singles title was claimed by Hong Kong’s top seed Lam Ka To, who delivered a commanding performance against Indonesia’s Radithya Bayu Wardhana, winning 21-8, 21-9. The Girls’ Singles crown went to Thailand’s Tonrug Saeheng, who lived up to her top billing by overcoming Hong Kong’s unheralded Ip Sum Yau in a hard-fought three-set battle, 21-18, 15-21, 21-17.