Malaysia's young shuttlers continued their strong campaign at the World Junior Championships in Cairo, with Chong Lee Qian, Lim Boon Le and Carine Tee among those advancing to the next round of the individual competition.
Lee Qian produced one of Malaysia's standout performances by defeating Spain's fourth seed Yaidel Gil in the boys' singles. The unseeded Malaysian needed just 22 minutes to secure a 15-12, 15-7 victory and book his place in the last 32, where he will face Denmark's 28th seed Frederik Hinding.
Fifth seed Kong Wei Xiang also progressed comfortably, beating Czech Republic's Lukas Thor 15-3, 15-6. He will next meet India's Nishchal Chand.
Boon Le, the 17th seed, had to work harder for his place in the next round. After losing the opening game 13-15 to Hong Kong's Chan Yik Hei, he fought back to win 15-7, 16-14 in the remaining games. The 42-minute encounter set up a meeting with India's Akhil Reddy Bobba.
Malaysia also enjoyed encouraging results in the girls' singles, with Carine Tee advancing after defeating Spain's Sara Del Castillo 15-10, 15-6. She will next face Indonesia's Mayla Cahya Afilian Pratiwi.
Lee Kay Xin added another win by overcoming Ukraine's 11th seed Raiia Almalalha 15-7, 9-15, 15-10. Her next opponent will be Indonesia's Raisya Affatunisa.
Saidatul Saadiah Muhammad also progressed after beating Turkiye's 20th seed Elifnur Demir 15-3, 15-13. She now faces a tougher challenge against Hong Kong's fifth seed Ip Sum Yau.
Not every Malaysian enjoyed success, however, as Teoh Sue Mei bowed out after a three-game defeat to India's 12th seed Tanvi Reddy Andluri, losing 15-12, 13-15, 7-15.
In the women's doubles, Leong Hwee Ling and Teoh Min Yi defeated Mauritius' Tiya Bhurtun and Elsa How Hong 15-13, 15-6 to advance. They will next face fellow Malaysians Rachel Tan and Teh Xin Ying, the 13th seeds, guaranteeing Malaysia a place in the next round through at least one pair.
The results underline Malaysia's promising depth across the singles and doubles events as the young players continue their pursuit of honours at the world junior tournament in Egypt.
