PENANG’s Ivan Chang Jia Yu, 16, emerged as champion in the Boys’ Under 17 Category in the recent PBA 21st Penang (Malaysian) International Junior Open.
In a hotly contested category featuring 108 local and international participants, Ivan powered through five rounds to snatch the title, defeating fellow Malaysian Muhammad Raziq Putra from the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur 11-2, 5-11, 11-3, 11-8 in the final.
An elated Ivan was pleased with his performance, especially following a dismal outing the previous week at the Asian Junior Individual Squash Championships in Gimcheon, South Korea.
“I had a bad draw at the Asian Juniors last week and lost out to fellow Malaysian Aqil Mirza in Round 2. I was given top billing for this event, and I am happy to live up to it,” said Ivan.
The win marked his first-ever PMJO title, having previously been a finalist in the Boys’ Under 11 and 15 categories.
Ivan described the victory as a consolation after missing out on representing Malaysia at the World Junior Championships in Egypt due to rising tensions in the region and a recent travel restriction by Wisma Putra.
En route to the final, Ivan overcame Muhammad Haiqal Hazim of Kedah 8-11, 11-7, 11-2, 11-4 in the quarter-final before defeating Jordanian giant killer, Osama Al-Bataineh, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8 in an exciting semi-final bout.
Muhammad Raziq Putra, meanwhile, battled gallantly to edge out Jayden Oon of Terengganu 11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 10-12, 18-16 in a quarter-final, before overcoming Toma Ikeda of Japan 11-7, 11-4, 11-4 in the semi-final.
Ivan will next compete in the upcoming TC 40th National Squash Championships to be held also in Penang at the Nicol David International Squash Centre from Aug 13 to 17.
“I hope to compete in the Premier Division of the National Championships if given the opportunity. It would be an awesome experience to play against our nation’s top senior players at my training centre,” he added.
In the Girls’ Under-17 category, Yek Rui Jean, also from Penang, finished a credible third. She comfortably defeated Nurul Nisa Nasuha of Kedah 11-2, 11-5, 11-9 in the quarter-final before bowing out to eventual champion Jinoreeka Ning of Perak 5-11, 2-11, 5-11.
Rui Jean found some redemption in the 3rd/4th position playoff, defeating fellow Malaysian Ooi Wen Min of Perlis 11-3, 12-10, 11-6. In the final, Jinoreeka defeated Chloe Lo from Hong Kong 12-10, 11-7, 11-4.
Kreethi Pillay Muniswaran and Kayvern Arthur, both representing Penang in the Boys’ Under 19 and Boys’ Under 13 categories, finished 4th in their respective age groups.
Kreethi bowed out in the semi-final against Lee Jong Hyeok of South Korea 16-14, 11-4, 3-11, 7-11, 5-11, and later lost to Hashvind Kugan of FT 9-11, 14-12, 6-11, 6-11 in the 3rd/4th playoff. Kayvern fell to Shayan Samtani of Singapore 4-11, 11-6, 13-11, 9-11, 8-11 in the semi-final, before being defeated by Muhammad Sharhan Mohd Saiful of Pahang 13-15, 9-11, 7-11.
The Boys’ Under 13 category proved to be a fiery affair between two long-time competitors, Liu Yuan Xi of China and Shayan Samtani of Singapore. The match went down to the wire with Liu winning 11-9 in the final game despite Samtani having a massive 6-0 lead.
The match was marred by controversial vocal interference, prompting the referee to calm proceedings outside the court. The final match score was 5-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-13, 11-9 in Liu’s favour.
In the Girls’ Under 13 category, Malaysia’s Maisarah Mohd Khairul of FT convincingly triumphed over newly crowned Asian Junior Girls Under 13 Champion Yin Xiyuan of China 11-6, 11-6, 12-10 in the final.
The match was a one-sided affair with Maisarah dominating proceedings despite some fierce resistance in the final game from Yin. Third place went to Kaylee Li from the USA, defeating Karesha Kugan of FT 11-9, 14-12, 11-7.
Elsewhere, in the Boys’ Under 19 event, Izz Nabil Iman from Perlis emerged as the winner by defeating Lee Jong Hyeok 11-8, 11-9, 11-7 in the final. Haneesha Veerakumar of Negeri Sembilan lifted the Girls’ Under-19 title after overcoming Ayesha Rania Syed Kebir of FT.
Datuk Linda Geh, the organising chairman and president of the Squash Rackets Association of Penang, expressed her delight at the increase in international participation.
“We’re thrilled by the rising standard of competition. It has truly reached a new level. Local fans had even more reason to celebrate, with Malaysians appearing in nine out of ten finals.
“I would like to thank our sponsors, PBA, the Youth and Sports Ministry, and Dunlop, for their unwavering and continued support. We are also deeply grateful for the trust and backing from Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and YB Daniel Gooi, which have been instrumental in elevating the tournament to international recognition. Last but not least, sincere thanks to the organising committee members who worked tirelessly to ensure the event’s success,” Geh said.
YB Daniel Gooi was also present at the prize presentation ceremony, alongside Linda Geh, Joyce Lee, Head of Corporate Affairs representing PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan, Harry Chai Heng Hua, director of the Penang State Sports Council, and Ruban Sankaran, tournament director and representing Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia.
RESULTS:
Boys’ Under-19:
Semi Finals: Izz Nabil Iman (BJSS/PLS) bt Hashvind Kugan (FT) 11/8, 11/7, 9/11, 11/4; Lee Jong-Hyeok (Kor) bt Kreethi Pillay Muniswaran (Pg) 14/16, 4/11, 11/3, 11/7, 11/5.
Final: Izz Nabil Iman (BJSS/PLS) bt Lee Jong-Hyeok (Kor) 11/8, 11/9, 11/7.
3RD/4TH placing: Hashvind Kugan (FT) bt Kreethi Pillay Muniswaran (Pg) 11/9, 12/14,11/6, 11/6.
Boys’ Under-17
Semi-FInals: Ivan Chang (Pg) bt Osama Al-Bataineh (Jor) 11/5, 8/11, 11/8, 11/8; Muhammad Raziq Putra (BJSS/FT) bt Toma Ikeda (Jpn) 11/7, 11/4, 11/4.
Final: Ivan Chang (Pg) bt Muhammad Raziq Putra (BJSS/FT) 11/2, 5/11, 11/3, 11/8.
3RD/4TH placing: Osama Al-Bataineh (Jor) BT Toma Ikeda (Jpn) 11/7, 11/2, 10/12, 11/5.
Boys’ Under-15
Semi-finals: Huzaifa Shahid (Pak) bt Yaalvennthan Ravi Kumar (FT) 11/6, 11/4, 11/8; Armann Merzha Ashraff (BJSS/PLS) bt Julius Tan Li Hao (Sel) 11/6, 11/8, 13/11.
Final: Armann Merzha Ashraff (BJSS/PLS) bt Huzaifa Shahid (Pak) 11/8, 11/8 12/10.
3rd/4th placing: Yaalvennthan Ravi Kumar (FT) bt Julius Tan Li Hao (Sel) 11/7, 11/4, 11/4.
Boys’ Under-13
Semi-finals: Liu Yuan Xi (Chn) bt Muhammadh Sharhan Mohd Saiful (Phg) 11/7, 4/11,11/8, 11/7; Shayan Samtani (Sgp) bt Kayvern Arthur (Pg) 11/4, 6/11, 11/13, 11/9, 11/8.
Final: Liu Yuan Xi (Chn) bt Shayan Samtani (Sgp) 5/11, 11/7, 11/7, 11/13, 11/9.
3rd/4th placing: Muhammad Sharhan Mohd Saiful (Phg) bt Kayvern Arthur (Pg) 15/13,11/9,11/7.
Boys’ Under-11
Semi-finals: Leung Ngo San (Hkg) bt Mei Tian Xiao (Hkg) 11/5, 8/11, 11/7, 11/9; Iman Dylan Saadan (Pjy) bt Xi Jingxiang (Chn) 11/5, 11/9, 5/11, 9/11, 11/4.
Final: Leung Ngo San (Hkg) bt Iman Dylan Saadan (Pjy) 11/4, 11/3, 11/2.
3rd/4th placing: Mei Tian Xiao (Hkg) bt Xi Jingxiang (Chn) 11/9, 11/4, 11/3.
Girls’ Under-19
Semi-finals: Haneehsa Veerakumar (NS) bt Puteri Rania Zahirah (FT) 11/3, 11/7, 11/9; Ayesha Rania Syed Kebir (FT) bt Arissa Faria Syed Kebir (FT) 11/7, 11/7, 11/2.
Final: Haneehsa Veerakumar (NS) bt Ayesha Rania Syed Kebir (FT) 11/9, 7/11, 11/3, 11/7.
3rd/4th placing: Arissa Faria Syed Kebir (FT) bt Puteri Rania Zahirah (FT) 11/6, 11/5 9/11, 11/8
Girls’ Under-17
Semi-finals: Chloe Lo Pui Yin (Hkg) bt Ooi Wen Min (BJSS/PLS) 13/11, 11/9, 9/11, 11/9; Jinoreeka Ning Manivanan (Prk) bt Yek Rui Jean (Pg) 11/5, 11/2, 11/5.
Final: Jinoreeka Ning Manivanan (Prk) bt Chloe Lo Pui Yin (Hkg) 12/10, 11/7, 11/4.
3rd/4th placing: Yek Rui Jean (Pg) bt Ooi Wen Min (BJSS/PLS) 11/3, 12/10, 11/6.
Girls’ Under-15
Semi-finals: Chung Ka Yau (Hkg) bt Siti Syaurah Suffian (Swk) 11/8, 13/11, 11/9; Sailajja Chandrasegaran (Sel) bt Amber Kristy Muyou (BJSS/SBH) 11/5, 9/11, 14/12, 11/5.
Final: Chung Ka Yau (Hkg) bt Sailajja Chandrasegaran (Sel) 11/9, 11/9, 11/8.
3rd/4th placing: Siti Syaurah Suffian (Swk) bt Amber Kristy Muyou (BJSS/SBH) 11/7, 11/13, 11/7, 11/4.
Girls’ Under-13
Semi-finals: Maisarah Mohd Khairul Nizam (FT) bt Kaylee Li (USA) 11/5, 5/11, 11/5, 10/12, 11/8; Yin Ziyuan (Chn) bt Karesha Kugan (FT) 11/6, 12/10, 12/10.
Final: Maisarah Mohd Khairul Nizam (ft) bt Yin Ziyuan (Chn) 11/6, 11/6, 12/10.
3rd/4th placing: Kaylee Li (USA) bt Karesha Kugan (FT) 11/9, 14/12, 11/7.
Girls’ Under-11
Semi-finals: Keerthi Pradhaa Junivar (FT) bt Alia Kankaria (Ind) 11/8, 11/5, 11/6; Arissa Sheikh Abd Hakim (FT) bt Tang Chin Onn (Hkg) 11/9, 11/9, 11/1.
Final: Keerthi Pradhaa Junivar (FT) bt Arissa Sheikh Abd Hakim (FT) 11/9, 6/11, 11/5, 11/7.
3rd/4th placing: Alia Kankaria (Ind) bt Tang Chin Onn (Hkg) 13/11, 10/12, 10/12, 13/11, 11/8.
Pix courtesy of Squash Rackets Association of Penang and Penang State Sports Council.