KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican is hoping that national athletes will continue to carve out many more sweet memories throughout the year, especially ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games in July.
He said this after watching Malaysian athletes, especially the shuttlers and cyclists, excelling on the international stage over the past week.
"The victory of Lee Zee Jia over a top player like Viktor Axelsen in the All England Badminton Championships was one of those special moments. The performances of women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and mixed doubles aces Goh Liu Ying-Chan Peng Soon were also inspiring.
"Then over the weekend, we had more good news, thanks to the achievements of Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Mohd Azizulhasni Awang at the 2021 Australian Track Cycling Championship in Brisbane in keirin and sprint," he said in his posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter today.
Zii Jia created a sensation after a pulsating 30-29, 20-22, 21-9 win over defending champion Axelsen of Denmark in the men's singles event at the All England on March 21.
SPORTS-REEZAL (ATHLETES) 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
Rising stars Pearly-Thinaah, who clinched the women's doubles title at the recent Swiss Open, did well at the All England despite their 21-12, 20-22, 21-16 quarter-final loss to Japan's Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida while Peng Soon-Liu Ying made it one step further before bowing out 14-21, 20-22 to the unseeded Japanese mixed doubles pair of Yuki Kaneka-Misaki Matsutomo in the last four.
Cycling then saw Shah Firdaus brushed aside defending champion Azizulhasni for the men's keirin gold while Australian Matthew Richardson came in third at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane yesterday (March 28).
In the sprint event on Saturday, (March 27), Azizulhasni and Shah Firdaus bagged the silver and bronze respectively as the 22-year-old Richardson bettered Azizulhasni in the final for gold.
Yesterday, Malaysia's young shuttlers produced a smashing end to the 2021 Polish International Challenge by winning the men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles titles.
Twenty-year-old Ng Tze Yong stunned second seed Pablo Abian, 35, of Spain 21-19, 21-11 in the men's singles; Choong Hon Jian-Toh Ee Wei, both 20, bagged the mixed doubles crown by ousting Nicolas A. Mueller-Ronjan Stern of Switzerland 21-16, 21-12.
Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun made it a triple delight when they downed compatriots Yee Jun-Chia Wei Jie 21-17, 20-22, 21-19 in the all-Malaysian men's doubles final.
"Congratulations to the athletes and teams. This is the result of all the hard work of everyone involved, including the coaches, management team, national sports associations, NSC (National Sports Council) and NSI (National Sports Institute) as well as those working behind the scenes," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Mar 30 2021
Reezal Merican Naina Merican is hoping that national athletes will continue to carve out many more sweet memories throughout the year, especially ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games in July. ASTRO AWANI / SHAHIR OMAR pic
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.