By Luqman Hakim
Malaysian badminton player Soong Joo Ven, 24, emerged as champion in the VICTOR Malaysia International Series 2019 men’s singles badminton tournament after defeating fellow Malaysian player Cheam June Wei by straight sets 21-13, 22-20 in a 47-minute finals match.
When met, Soong said that this was his first time winning a tournament since its introduction in 2016. “There were lots of players with high calibre. It was not easy winning the title even though this is a minor tournament,” he explained.
“I aim to compete in bigger tournaments and place myself in the international top 40 players ranking by this year,” Soong added.
In the women’s singles tournament, Malaysian player Eoon Qi Xuan lost to Indonesian player Sri Fatmawati by 19-21, 8-21 in a 34-minute match.
In men’s doubles, Malaysian pair Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong were defeated by Indonesians Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin 21-17, 17-21, 11-21.
However, Malaysian pair Tan Pearly Koong Le-Muralitharan Thinaah won the women’s doubles tournament by 21-16, 11-21, 21-18, defeating Indonesian pair Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Ribka Sugiarto in a rubber set.
