June Hao to take a cool approach for World Junior Tourney

Newly crowned Asian Junior champion, Leong Jun Hao now feels more confident to face bigger challenges at the Badminton World Junior Championships in October after his recent success.

However, Jun Hao, 18, does not want to put himself in a tight spot on his preparations and in the world championships in Yogjakarta from Oct 9 to 22.

For the record, Malaysia won the bronze medal in the World Junior Championships last year via Lee Zii Jia in the men's singles.

"The victory has built my confidence to play in the world championships. I will play my usual game as adding too much pressure on myself may not work out well. I will concentrate on one match at a time," he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here Monday.

Kuala Lumpur-born Jun Hao succeeded in cracking China's control and emerged as the Asian Junior champion when he defeated Bai Yupeng 21-6, 20-22, 21-17 in the final that lasted one hour and 14 minutes, Sunday.

Jun Hao's success broke China's domination in the men's singles from 2014 to 2016 via Shi Yuqi, Lin Guipu and Sun Feixiang.

Malaysia last won the title in 2013 through Soo Teck Zhi.

-- BERNAMA