World Juniors: Low Breaks Jinx; Two Gold for Indonesia

After faltering at the final step of the last two BWF World Junior Championships, Low Zi Yu finally found success in Cairo with Genevie Lim, with the pair taking Malaysia to their first-ever gold in women’s doubles.

Having cruised through most of the third game, the Malaysians survived some nervous moments at the end before Low killed the final shuttle for a 15-7 9-15 15-12 result against Japan’s Nijika Kamata/Shizuku Kashio.

“Very happy that I can get the gold medal this time,” said Low. “In the last game I was very nervous, I thought I was going to get my third silver medal from the World Juniors. I’m very lucky that I can get the gold.

“After we lost the second game, we had to get more focused and more patient. Very proud that I can get this gold medal for my country. After I lost my mixed doubles match here I felt so sad, but I just stayed positive to focus on my doubles.”

Her partner added: “I feel very happy and very proud to get it for my country. I felt very nervous because I didn’t want to finish with another silver. Then we had a third game, that was the most crucial part. There was a lot of anxiety at the end.”

Apart from Malaysia, China and Chinese Taipei won a gold each, while Indonesia emerged the most successful team with two gold medals.

China were close to winning the opening mixed doubles against Indonesia, with Feng Yi Lang /Li Meng Han leading all through the final game and holding three match points against Muhammad Luthfi Habibi/Dian Ramadhani Mukti.

Mixed doubles winners Habibi and Mukti

The Indonesians brought out their best at the death leaving the Chinese shell-shocked as they contemplated their unlikely defeat, 17-15 8-15 16-14.

“In the third game, we were trailing from the beginning, but I tried to reassure myself and Dian that we still had a chance,” said Habibi. “Even though we were behind, I believed we could still turn things around. When we were trailing 11-14, I still had a feeling that we could win and that the match wasn’t over yet. I tried to focus on one point at a time.

“Thank you to all the supporters, university students, and friends who have supported me from the beginning until the end. I’m grateful that Dian and I were able to win the World Junior Championships title together.”

With the men’s singles final featuring an all-Indonesia final, the Asian powerhouse, with two gold, had their best individual championships since the 2017 edition.

Radithya Bayu Wardhana’s variation and skill neutralised the attacking prowess of his compatriot Fardhan Rainanda Joe, with Wardhana mostly in control of the decider as he eased to a 15-9 11-15 15-8 win.

“Becoming a World Junior champion still feels like a dream. I don’t think I can say I’m completely satisfied yet because there are still more challenges ahead,” said Wardhana.

“As for my calm demeanour, everyone feels nervous in a match like this. That’s just how I naturally carry myself. I dedicate this title to my parents back home, my uncle, my extended family, and my club.”

Zhang Yi Xin won the women’s singles gold beating Saki Matsumoto

China won gold in women’s singles, with Zhang Yi Xin‘s endurance helping her pull away from Japan’s Saki Matsumoto, 9-15 15-10 15-9.

Chinese Taipei took the men’s doubles gold, with Chen Ping Hsuan/Lee Wei Ting beating Japan’s Oku Mahiro/Masato Yamashiro in a one-sided final, 15-10 15-9, Chinese Taipei’s first-ever gold in a paired event.