Young Malaysian bаdmіntоn prospect Eng Ler Qi rеmаіnѕ орtіmіѕtіс dеѕріtе thе оngоіng сhаllеngеѕ fасеd bу hеr ѕеnіоrѕ іn the wоmеn’ѕ ѕіnglеѕ dіvіѕіоn. At just 17 years old, Ler Qi is already setting her sights on revitalizing a sector that has struggled to produce top-tier talent in recent years.
Currently, Malaysia’s women’s singles scene is spearheaded by world No. 43 Goh Jin Wei and world No. 52 K. Letshanaa. While both players have shown moments of brilliance, the country has yet to consistently produce players who can challenge for major international honors in this discipline.
However, Ler Qi believes that change is on the horizon. She is determined to be part of the new generation that injects much-needed strength and competitiveness into Malaysian women’s singles badminton.
Ler Qi, A Promising Talent Rising Through the Ranks
Hailing from Selangor, Ler Qi has rapidly risen through the junior circuit. Her impressive performances — including semifinal appearances in both the Under-21 and Under-18 national tournaments — earned her a coveted spot in the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) elite training squad earlier this year.
She іѕ раrt оf an еxсіtіng crop оf уоung tаlеnt thаt іnсludеѕ Lim Zhі Shin, the rеіgnіng Under-21 national сhаmріоn, аnd Oo Shаn Zі, the ѕіlvеr medallist at the Malaysia Games (Sukmа). Notably, while Ler Qi and Zhi Shin, both aged 17, have recently been promoted to the senior ranks, Shan Zi had already made her senior debut in 2023.
“There’s definitely fresh hope for Malaysian women’s singles,” said Ler Qi confidently. “Several promising players are coming through the junior system, and the competition in national tournaments is getting tougher. That’s a very positive sign because it pushes all of us to improve.”
She added, “Players from other countries succeed not just because of their skills but also because of their strong mindset. If we want to reach their level, we must develop the same mental toughness.”
Mentored by Ramdan, Preparing for Bigger Battles
Ler Qi trains under Misbun Ramdan, a respected coach and former national player. Who has been instrumental in guiding her transition from the junior to senior level. Under his mentorship, she is learning that becoming a top-class shuttler demands more than just technical excellence. It requires mental resilience, discipline, and unwavering commitment.
“I know the road ahead is not easy,” Ler Qi admitted. “There’s still a long journey for me to reach the top, but I’m ready to make the sacrifices necessary. I’m committed to staying focused and putting in the hard work needed to succeed.”
Recognizing her own areas for improvement, she added, “Right now, my priority is to work on maintaining consistency during matches and minimizing unforced errors. Emotional stability on court is another area I must address — sometimes I let the pressure get to me, and it affects my concentration.”
Coach Ramdan has been giving her valuable advice: “He always tells me to trust myself more and not to let the pressure overwhelm me,” she shared.
Focused on National Glory
At present, Ler Qi is channeling her energy toward making an impact in the Under-18 National Championships. The competition is expected to be fierce. With Ler Qi vying for the title against her contemporaries Shan Zi and Zhi Shin.
Her campaign is off to a strong start. Yesterday, she breezed into the fifth round with a convincing 15-8, 15-6 win over Pahang’s N. Mishaliny at the Academy Badminton Perak in Ipoh. Next, she will face Johor’s S. Hasyni Devi, where a victory would see her advance to the quarterfinals.
Despite the challenges ahead, Ler Qi’s blend of optimism, hard work, and hunger for success suggests that she could very well be one of the future stars Malaysia has been searching for in women’s singles badminton.
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