TOKYO: As the 2020 Tokyo Olympics heads into Day Seven on Thursday (July 29), badminton will be surely the focus of all Malaysian sports fans.
That's because two of the country's representatives - men's singles ace Lee Zii Jia and men's doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik - will be in action in the knockout rounds.
Zii Jia will be competing in the round of 16 after dispatching France's Brice Leverdez 21-17, 21-5 in the final group match at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza here today.
But the reigning All England champion, who is making his Olympic debut here, will have a mountain to climb as he will face world number six and 2016 Rio Games gold medallist Chen Long next.
The Malaysian pair confirmed their quarter-final spot after finishing runners-up in Group D by defeating Canadians Jason Ho-Nyl Yakura 21-15, 21-13 on Tuesday (July 27).
The task awaiting Aaron-Wooi Yik in the men's doubles quarter-finals is just as daunting as they've been drawn to face world number one Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo-Marcus Fernaldi Gideon of Indonesia.
While Zii Jia and Aaron-Wooi Yik live to fight another day, it was the end of the road for national women's singles shuttler Soniia Cheah Su Ya, who fell to Thailand's world number six Ratchanok Intanon today.
The 28-year-old Soniia, who is also making her Olympic debut here, was handed a walkover by the injured Laura Sarosi of Hungary in her opening Group N match on Tuesday (July 27) before going down 21-19, 18-21, 10-21 to Ratchanok today.
Over at the Yumenoshima Park Archery Field today, Khairul Anuar Mohamad was the coolest man in the heat of battle when he won the one-arrow shoot-off twice with perfect 10s to march into round three of the men's recurve individual event.
The 29-year-old, who is ranked 15th in the world, found himself staring at two equally dramatic one-arrow shoot-offs after being tied at 5-5 with his first- and second-round opponents.
Like the shuttlers, Khairul Anuar also faces a tough task in round three this Saturday (July 31) as he's set to meet South Korea's Kim Woojin, who finished fourth in the ranking round last Friday (July 23).
In today's round one clash, Khairul Anuar overcome Finland's Antti Vikstrom, and then, in round two, he disposed of China's Wang Dapeng.
Both times Khairul Anuar, who crashed out in the second round at the 2016 Rio edition, scored 10 points to oust his rivals, who both hit nine points in the shoot-offs.
There was no such joy over at the Enoshima Yacht Harbour after national sailors Nuraisyah Jamil and Juni Karimah Noor Jamali ended Day One of the women's International 470 event in the bottom three today.
However, Olympic debutants Nuraisyah (at the helm) and Juni (as crew) deserve praise for tackling the challenge head-on to finish Race One in 18th spot and 20th in Race Two.
Nuraisyah and Juni, who ended up in 19th spot overall out of 21 pairs with 38 net points, will be back in action on Thursday (July 29) in Race Three and Race Four.
Meanwhile, swimmer Phee Jinq En ended her Tokyo Olympic campaign in dismal fashion after finishing eighth in Heat One of the women's 200-metre breaststroke event today.
Jinq En, who is featuring in her second Olympics after the 2016 Rio edition, clocked 2:32.57 seconds (s) at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre here.
She, thus, failed to erase her personal best of 2:32.38s which she did en route to clinching bronze at the 2019 Manila SEA Games in the Philippines.
National professional golfer Gavin Kyle Green, meanwhile, is set to begin his quest for Olympic glory on Thursday (July 29) in the first round of the men's individual competition at the Kasumigaseki Country Club here.
Also in action on Thursday (July 29) will be national sailors Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy and Nur Shazrin Mohamad Latif, who will continue Race 7 and Race 8 of their respective men's Laser Standard and women's Laser Radial events at the Enoshima Yacht Harbour.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Wed Jul 28 2021
The task awaiting Aaron-Wooi Yik in the men's doubles quarter-finals is just as daunting as they've been drawn to face world number one Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo-Marcus Fernaldi Gideon of Indonesia. - BERNAMA photo
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.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.