KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s women’s singles squad has long been regarded as one of the weakest sectors in the national badminton team due to its lack of significant achievements in recent years.
However, rising star Siti Zulaikha Azmi offered a glimmer of hope by claiming the Malaysia International Series title in Johor yesterday.
The 18-year-old defeated China’s Lu Sheng Xuan 21-13, 21-16 in just 33 minutes to secure her maiden senior title.
This victory also helped her move past the disappointment of missing out on the World Junior Championships in Nanchang, China, last September due to an injury to her left Achilles tendon.
“Alhamdulillah, I am very happy and grateful for this win. During the match, I managed to stay calm and focused and stick to the planned strategy.
“I hope this success inspires me for future tournaments. It’s not just the result of my hard work but also the support from my family, coaches, and everyone who has encouraged me,” Siti told Scoop.
Siti is emerging as a new gem for Malaysia’s women’s singles squad. In July, she ended a seven-year medal drought for Malaysia in women’s singles at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships (BAJC) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, by clinching a bronze medal.
The last Malaysian to achieve this feat was Eoon Qi Xuan during the 2017 edition in Jakarta.
Despite her recent success, Siti acknowledges there is still much work to be done, particularly as the women’s singles squad has dwindled to just four players under coach Jeffer Rosobin.
The current squad includes K. Letshanaa, Oo Shan Zi, and Wong Li Ching.
“I feel this is just the beginning of my journey to challenge myself at higher levels. I know there’s still a lot to improve, but I hope I can face upcoming challenges and give my best,” she added.
Her victory in Johor yesterday will also serve as a morale booster as she heads to Ninh Binh to compete in the Vietnam International Series this week. — November 18, 2024