Brilliant start for Chong Wei at Badminton Asia C'ships
Published on: Thursday, April 27, 2017
Kuala Lumpur: National badminton ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei kicked off his title defence in style at the Badminton Asia Championships by demolishing Kazumasa Sakai of Japan 21-19, 21-11 in straight sets at the Wuhan Sports Centre Gymnasium in China, Wednesday.The 34-year-old Penangite who is also the two-time champion, only took 41 minutes to dispose Sakai in the opening round of the men's singles and move into the second round, according to Badminton World Federation (BWF) website www.bwfbadminton.org.Chong Wei is slated to meet Japanese qualifier Kenta Nishimoto in the second round on Thursday after the unheralded player stunned experienced Indonesian shuttler Tommy Sugiarto 21-14, 21-9 in another first round encounter.
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Ex-national player who turned professional, Chong Wei Feng, however had to go the distance before edging Lin Yu Hsien of Taiwan16-21, 21-14, 21-13 in his opening match.Two Malaysian men's doubles pairs—Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong and Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi - were also pushed to the limit before securing victory against their respective opponents.V Shem/Wee Kiong, the second seeds defeated Liao Kun Hao/Lu Chia Pin of Taiwan 21-15, 13-21, 21-14 while Yew Sin/Ee Yi dislodged Sri Lankan qualifiers Sachin Dias/Buwenaka Goonathileka 21-12, 21-13.The highlight of the day for the Malaysian camp came in the women's doubles event which saw Vivian Hoo Kah Mun/Woon Khe Wei stun seventh seeds Puttita Supajirakul/Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand 3-21, 21-18, 21-19 in the opening round.
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A few Malaysian players, however, crashed out from the tournament, including 2015 world junior champion Goh Jin Wei and Zulfadli Zulkiffli.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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The city of Wuhan has been selected by the Badminton Asia Confederation to host the annual badminton championships until 2020. – Bernama
