By Maryam Nasir
KUALA LUMPUR, 13 September 2021: Two more championship titles were taken home by the country’s young badminton players in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles events at the Ukraine International Championships.
The pair have been known by the nickname ‘Patatimo’, Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Muhammad Haikal Nazri continued their excellent rhythm when they emerged champions after beating the Indian doubles, Ishaan Batnagar-K Sai Pratheek, yesterday.
It is the country’s third young doubles title after winning the Hellas International Championship and the Austrian Open last May.
However, those who were just absorbed into the national squad last March had to play for three sets before winning 21-15, 19-21, 21-15.
Also outstanding in Ukraine were mixed doubles, Yap Roy King-Valeree Siow who beat German pair Johannes Pistorious-Emma Moszczynski.
Fortunately, the national duo needed just 29 minutes to tame the seventh seed and then won 21-19, 21-12.
The championship is also their third title this year after winning at the Hellas International Open last week and the Latvia International Championships last month. ***