KUALA LUMPUR – Aaron Tai and Kang Khai Xing will soon begin their journey as national senior players after realising their dream at the World Junior Championships.
The top-seeded boys’ doubles pair ended Malaysia’s 13-year wait for a gold medal today, defeating local favourites Hu Ke Yuan and Lin Xiang Yi 21-18, 15-21, 21-18 in Nanchang, China.
The duo’s victory brings back the title last won by Nelson Heg and Teo Ee Yi in 2011.
For the record, Malaysia’s last gold at the World Junior Championships came in 2018, when Goh Jin Wei won the girls’ singles title.
Speaking to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Aaron and Khai Xing expressed their excitement about returning home to celebrate with their families.
Understandably, the national junior squad has been in China since the end of last month.
“I’m really happy to win the title, but all I want to do now is go back to Malaysia, enjoy some good food, and celebrate with my family,” said Khai Xing.
“It’s a huge surprise, but it’s also been my dream to win,” he added.
Meanwhile, Aaron is already looking forward to the next step in their careers: joining the senior team.
“Our junior dream has come true, now it’s on to the senior level,” said Aaron, who, along with Khai Xing, has already begun training with the national senior squad.
Earlier, Malaysia’s girls’ doubles pair, Low Zi Yu and Dania Sofea Zaidi, claimed silver after losing 21-17, 21-17 to Japan’s Ririna Hiramoto and Aya Tamaki.
Malaysia concluded their campaign at this year’s World Junior Championships with one gold medal, one silver, and one bronze (in the mixed team event). — October 13, 2024