LEFTIES SET TO STAR IN ASIAN GAMES

WENG HONGYANG (Chn), men’s singles Hongyang was dubbed the next Lin Dan thanks to the similarities in style in their game. Both are lefties and Hongyang idolises Lin Dan. The 24-year-old, who is currently ranked No. 20 in the world, first caught the eye when he captured the Korean Open last year. Hongyang also stunned...

Boxing-Zhang knocks out Joyce in round three of heavyweight rematch

LONDON (Reuters) - Chinese heavyweight Zhilei 'Big Bang' Zhang knocked out Britain's Joe Joyce in the third round of their rematch at London's Wembley Arena on Saturday. The 40-year-old Zhang sent his 38-year-old opponent sprawling to the canvas with a huge right hook to his jaw. Joyce got back to his feet and received oxygen...

Fever scare for shuttler Tze Yong

SHUTTLER Ng Tze Yong (pic) suffered a scare just six days before the Asian Games badminton competition kicks off in Hangzhou. The world No 19 was forced to miss training at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday after coming down with fever. However, it was not a major problem and he should...

Singles star Zii Jia adds some Siamese sting in Asiad prep

SHUTTLER Lee Zii Jia has been sparring with Thailand’s 2019 World Championships bronze medallist Kantaphon Wangcharoen ahead of the Asian Games. With the quality training in his bag, the Malaysian is hoping to have some Siamese sting in Hangzhou. Sporting a blue headband, the Malaysian No 1 attended centralised training for the Asiad on the fourth...

Rexy out to pull off another Kien Keat-Boon Heong golden act

NATIONAL doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky (pic) is hoping to be Malaysia’s lucky charm again in the Asian Games. In his first stint as coach in the country, Rexy had successfully guided Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong to the men’s doubles gold in the 2006 edition in Doha. Kien Keat-Boon Heong had at that time ended...

June Wei can handle pressure of third singles, says coach

PETALING JAYA: Independent shuttler Cheam June Wei (pic) could make a difference in Malaysia’s push for a medal in the men’s team event at the Asian Games as the independent player has a track record to fill in the crucial third singles spot. June Wei, 26, was instrumental in Malaysia’s run in the 2020 Asian...

Rashid calls on Tze Yong and Zii Jia to seize chance to topple favourites

PETALING JAYA: Former international Rashid Sidek says there are no clear favourites in the men’s singles at the Asian Games and this an ideal situation for Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong to take advantage of the situation in Hangzhou. Defending champion Jonatan Christie of Indonesia, who triumphed in Jakarta five years ago,...

Letshanaa savouring esprit de corps at centralised training

PETALING JAYA: Shuttler K. Letshanaa (pic) is enjoying the environment in centralised training for the Asian Games. Letshanaa and the other women shuttlers might not be competing in the women’s team event but they are still training together in a big group at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara. Letshanaa is happy to spar...

Extra motivation for Goh-Shevon to make Asiad swan song a huge hit

PETALING JAYA: Shuttlers Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie are out to end their last Asian Games campaign on a high note. Soon Huat, 33 and Shevon, 30 know that age is catching up with them and are keen to make the most of every big opportunity that they have. The world No. 11 independent pair have...

Settling down as No. 1 pair will be Chen-Toh’s main task after painful lesson

PETALING JAYA: Staying at the top is just as huge a challenge as chasing the frontrunners. Shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei can certainly attest to this. Right after reaching a career high No. 9 in the world to become the country’s No. 1 mixed doubles pair, Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who were only paired together last...