As the 2024 US Open Badminton Championships approaches, Malaysia’s rising badminton stars have received a timely dose of inspiration. Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, President of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, extended heartfelt encouragement to the national squad set to compete in Iowa starting Tuesday.
While on a working trip to Washington D.C., Tengku Zafrul made a point to support the Malaysian contingent participating in the BWF Super 300 tournament, despite the geographical distance between the capital and the tournament venue.
“I’ve received messages from fans requesting me to support our BAM players at the US Open in Iowa,” he shared via Instagram.
“If I were closer, I would definitely be there in person. But from Washington to Iowa, it’s nearly 1,900 kilometers.
Still, to Justin, Eogene, Letshanaa, and Ling Ching — give it your all and make Malaysia proud!”
Team Malaysia Heads to US Open and Canada Open 2024
Leading the charge for Malaysia is Justin Hoh, currently ranked world No. 42 in men’s singles. He’ll be competing alongside fellow countrymen and women:
- Eogene Ewe (world No. 101, men’s singles)
- K. Letshanaa (world No. 50, women’s singles)
- Wong Ling Ching (world No. 99, women’s singles)
All four athletes will also participate in the Canada Open, scheduled for July 1–7, marking their debut appearances in both tournaments.
Justin Hoh Eyes Career-Best Finish in Iowa
The spotlight will shine on Justin, who is aiming to better his quarter-final finish at the Taiwan Open earlier this year — currently his strongest performance of the 2024 season.
However, the path ahead won’t be easy. The tournament features a strong lineup, led by world No. 6 Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan, who recently finished runner-up at the Super 1000 Indonesia Open. Justin will need to be at his sharpest from the get-go.
In the opening round, he is slated to face world No. 61 Julien Carraggi of Belgium — a winnable match on paper. If successful, Justin could meet India’s S. Sankar Muthusamy (world No. 58) in the second round, followed by a potential high-stakes quarter-final clash against world No. 12 Kenta Nishimoto of Japan.
Eogene and Women’s Singles Stars Face Steep Challenges
Meanwhile, Eogene Ewe will begin his US Open campaign in the qualifying rounds, where he’s set to meet Darshan Pujari of India on Tuesday. A win there would advance him into the main draw, offering him valuable exposure on the international stage.
In the women’s singles bracket, both Letshanaa and Ling Ching face demanding tests. Letshanaa has drawn former world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in the first round — a tough yet valuable learning experience. Okuhara, known for her tactical finesse and defensive mastery, will be a significant hurdle for the 20-year-old Malaysian.
Wong Ling Ching, on the other hand, enters the qualifying draw, where she is slated to face American No. 110 Isabelle Rusli. With the right mindset and execution, Ling Ching could carve out a path into the main draw and gain valuable match experience on U.S. soil.
Malaysian Team’s Growth Beyond Rankings
While the US Open title may seem like a long shot given the strength of the field, these tournaments provide invaluable international exposure for Malaysia’s young shuttlers. The experience gained competing against higher-ranked opponents in unfamiliar conditions will be crucial in building confidence and resilience for future events — including the upcoming Canada Open and World Tour events later this year.
Tengku Zafrul’s words of encouragement could not have come at a better time. With a supportive nation behind them and fresh motivation from their BAM President, Justin, Eogene, Letshanaa, and Ling Ching are now ready to take on the US Open challenge with heart and hunger.
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