NANJING, Aug 18 (Bernama) — Malaysian shuttlers who saw action in the men’s and women’s singles managed to secure victories in their respective group matches and boost their chances of moving into the quarterfinals of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG 2014), held here Monday.
Lee Ying Ying, 17, who faced Katrina Beton from Slovenia in a Group H women’s singles match, clinched a 21-14, 21-10 win while Cheam June Wei who saw action in a men’s singles Group C match at the Sport Institute Gymnasium beat Thailand’s Mek Narongrit 21-14, 21-15.
Ying Ying will however, have an uphill task in her next match since she will be facing top seed, Bing Jiao He from China in her final Group H match Tuesday.
“Tomorrow I will have to be at my very best to overcome the Chinese player. I must make sure I do not make unforced errors because my dream is to win a gold medal here,” she told BERNAMA.
June Wei, 17, meanwhile, looks to have an easier path to the quarterfinals since he will be up against unknown Muhammed Ali Kurt from Turkey in his final Group C match.
Meanwhile, chef-de-mission Wong Pei Tty, a former shuttler herself expressed confidence that badminton and diving would contribute medals in the YOG 2014 although the National Sports Council has not set any specific target for the Malaysian contingent that is competing in Nanjing.
–BERNAMA
