KUALA LUMPUR – National men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao has always maintained a low profile, letting his performance on the court speak for itself.
In June, without much fanfare, Jun Hao broke into the world’s top 30. If he can maintain or improve his ranking, he will secure regular spots in the top tier of international badminton.
Scoop recently caught up with the 25-year-old former Asian junior champion to discuss his dreams and aspirations moving forward.
It is important to note that since Jun Hao transitioned into the national senior squad in 2018, injuries have been a significant obstacle for the Kuala Lumpur-born shuttler, who was ranked in the top 50 just over a year ago.
“My target is to continue climbing the world rankings. It would be great if I could move up a few more spots before the end of the year,” Jun Hao said ahead of his Japan Open first-round match against local shuttler Takuma Obayashi.
While keeping his expectations realistic, Jun Hao admitted that he too dreams of qualifying for the Olympics, especially after witnessing the strong performance of the Malaysian shuttlers at the recent Paris Games.
“I am inspired by how well our Malaysian badminton team did in Paris. Of course, I too want to qualify for the Olympics in the future.
“I need to be consistent and perform well in every tournament I compete in,” added Jun Hao, who secured his first major sponsorship deal on Saturday with real estate construction group Southern Score.
Jun Hao is currently the third-highest-ranked Malaysian player, behind world number six and Paris Olympics bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia, and Ng Tze Yong, who is still sidelined with a back injury.
“I am grateful to Southern Score for believing in me. I hope to achieve even more with their support,” said Jun Hao, who signed a one-year deal.
The other Malaysian men’s singles player competing in the Japan Open is Zii Jia, who is drawn to face France’s Alex Lanier in the first round tomorrow. – August 19, 2024