The 2023 Johor Close Badminton Championship once again lived up to expectations with aspiring shuttlers producing scintillating performances on the final day of the competition at the DBC Sport Arena in Pontian, Johor.
The four-day competition, which drew more than 600 players, was a huge success for the organisers, Johor Badminton Association (JBA), who gave these young talents the chance to show off their skills.
As expected, the main draw on the final day saw top seeded shuttler Ariffin Nazri claiming bragging rights as the best in the state after edging Wee Yee Tern 21-19, 21-17 in the men’s Under-21 singles final.
The enthusiastic shuttlers endured a dramatic and draining first set in which Ariffin was pushed to the limit before defeating Wee Yee Tern 21-19. The ever-calm Ariffin went on to win and demoralized his opponent in the second set by pulling off an incredible 21-17 success to earn his long-awaited victory.
A delighted Ashraf commended his opponent for putting up a superb fight till the end. “It was not an easy task reaching the final. I would like to congratulate Wee Yee Tern for making it this far. It was a tough game, and I am proud to share this moment with my Johor state teammate,” said Ashraf.
He added, “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Johor BA for organising this tournament as it gives players like me an opportunity to play against the top shuttlers in the state.”
After successfully defending her prized U-16 girls’ singles title by defeating Lai Eyun in the early morning match, Dania Sofea was back in action to win the U-16 girls doubles title with Lai Eyun. They did this by defeating Koh Yi Rou-Yap Yi Ning 21-9, 21-10.
Meanwhile, the most awaited U-21 men’s doubles final witnessed Ariffin Nazri- Ashraf Daniel battling against Wee Yee Hern-Wee Yee Tern in a fiery clash of the siblings. The intense final match was favourable to the dynamic duo pair Ariffin Nazri- Ashraf Daniel as they easily swept their opponents 21-15,21-19.
The 2023 Johor Close Championship comprises of five categories, Under-21, Under-16, Under-14, Under-12 and Under-10.
2023 Johor Close Badminton Championship Winner List
Men Singles U-21
Winner: Ariffin Nazri Zakaria
Runner Up: Wee Yee Tern
Women Singles U-21
Winner: Lim Shin
Runner Up: Seong Ler Yee
Men Doubles U-21
Winner: Muhammad Ariffin Nazri Zakaria-Muhammad Ashraf Daniel Zakaria
Runner Up: Wee Yee Hern-Wee Yee Tern
Women Doubles U-21
Winner: Hoe Shi Yun-Zuraini Nazri
Runner Up: Chong Kei Wee-Koh Yu Wen
Boys Singles U-16
Winner: Chen Jia Le
Runner Up: Kong Wen Zhuo
Girls Singles U-16
Winner: Dania Sofea Zaidi
Runner Up: Lai Eyun
Boys Doubles U-16
Winner: Chen Jia Le-Yap Jen Wee
Runner Up: Siau Yu Hang-Daniel Tan Ying Enn
Girls Doubles U-16
Winner: Lai Eyun-Dania Sofea
Runner Up: Koh Yi Rou-Yap Yi Ning
Boys Doubles U-14
Winner: Goh Wei Zhan-Alfred Phua Ze Zuan
Runner Up: Kua Ming Ze-Kua Wei Ze
Girls Singles U-14
Winner: Low Zi Yu
Runner Up: Hasyni Devi Sahathevan
Boys Singles U-14
Winner: Kua Ming Ze
Runner Up: Albee Loh Cheng Yi
Girls Doubles U-14
Winner: Auni Fatihin Azuan- Low Zi Yu
Runner Up: How Yin Xuan-Teo Pei Ning
Boys Singles U-12
Winner: Dani Syafi Bin Zaidi
Runner Up: Keith Leow
Girls Singles U-12
Winner: Tanisha Nair Navin Kumar
Runner Up: Tan Jin Qi
Boys Doubles U-12
Winner: Chiam Zi Hong-Dani Syafi Bin Zaidi
Runner Up: Keith Leow Chee Jian-Ko Zhi Teng
Girls Doubles U-12
Winner: Kalai Selvi Kumaravel-Goh Honney
Runner Up: Hew Yu Xing-Kung Lee Ya
Boys Singles U-10
Winner: MN Azriq Nuqman Al Iman
Runner Up: Lee Zhi Hao
Girls Singles U-10
Winner: Ko Zhi Ching
Runner Up: Preetika Moganadass
Boys Doubles U-10
Winner: Lee Zhi Hao- MN Azriq Nuqman Al Iman
Runner Up: Jayden Teo-Javier Yu
Girls Doubles U-10
Winner: Ko Zhi Ching-Lim Xue Er
Runner Up: Dhia Ramadhani-Saw Yu Qin
