Tag: Leong Jun Hao

梁峻豪

Leong Jun Hao Needs to Revive Aggressive Play to Bounce Back
Men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao needs to return to his former attacking style to turn around his recent poor performance in tournaments.
Before the Paris Olympics in August, Jun Hao was in top form, defeating players like Indonesia’s world No. 4 Jonatan Christie, world No. 10 Anthony Ginting, and Taiwan’s No. 9 Chou Tien-chen, reaching consecutive quarter-finals in the Indonesian and Singapore Opens.
However, the 25-year-old’s performance dropped significantly after the Olympics. In all six individual tournaments following the Olympics, including the Arctic and Denmark Opens earlier this month, he suffered early exits. Men’s singles coach K. Yogendran attributes Jun Hao’s recent struggles to a shift towards a defensive style of play.
“Jun Hao’s strength lies in his aggressive game, which allowed him to upset top players like Jonatan and Anthony,” said Yogendran.
“These wins prove that he knows what he needs to do to succeed, but his recent performances haven’t been up to par because he’s been focusing too much on his defensive weaknesses.”
ASTROX 100ZZ Crimson
“In training, he’s been working on his defense but has neglected to maintain his strengths. This has led him to adopt a defensive approach in tournaments, which isn’t the right strategy for him.”
“I’ve discussed this with him, and he understands the need to return to his aggressive style to regain his form,” added Yogendran.
Yogendran also highlighted that the limited training time and recent changes in the coaching structure have posed challenges to implementing his training program.
“The training period is short now, and there are many tournaments, so it’s difficult to make significant adjustments in the training program,” Yogendran explained. “We are trying to refine Jun Hao‘s game as much as possible in the short time available and also aim to improve his footwork and shots.”
Jun Hao, who reached a career-high No. 27 in July, has now dropped to No. 31 due to his recent lackluster performances. He still has a chance to regain his form by the end of the year in the back-to-back Japan Masters (Nov 12-17) and China Masters (Nov 19-24) tournaments.
Leong Jun Hao
October 29, 2024
Lee Zii Jia Still in the Race for World Tour Finals Despite Setback
Men’s singles badminton player Lee Zii Jia (pictured) still has a chance to qualify for the prestigious World Tour Finals, scheduled from December 11 to 15 in Hangzhou, despite missing the Denmark Open due to an ankle injury.
Recently, Lee Zii Jia suffered a major blow when he injured his ankle during his quarterfinal loss to world No. 13 Koki Watanabe of Japan at the Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland.
The 26-year-old player couldn’t shake off the injury and had to withdraw from the Denmark Open in Odense yesterday.
Team LZJ said in a statement, “After arriving in Odense on Sunday, we still hoped and planned for Lee Zii Jia to participate in the Denmark Open despite his ankle injury sustained in the Arctic Open quarterfinal.”
“Lee appeared on court today (yesterday), but discomfort in his ankle prevented him from performing at match-level intensity.
“After further consideration, I am deeply saddened to announce my withdrawal from the Denmark Open.”
This is a double setback for Lee Zii Jia, as he also dropped three places in the latest world rankings, from fourth to seventh.
However, the independent player still has a chance to qualify for the World Tour Finals, as he moved up one spot to fifth in the Hangzhou circuit rankings.
To qualify, Lee Zii Jia must maintain a top-eight position and hopes to regain form while competing in the Japan Masters (November 12–17) and China Masters (November 19–24).
Meanwhile, Leong Jun Hao, currently ranked No. 2 in Malaysia, fell to world No. 30 after losing to Hong Kong’s world No. 15 Lee Cheuk Yiu in the first round of the Arctic Open.
Jun Hao faces a tough task today in the first round of the Denmark Open, where he will meet world No. 3 Jonatan Christie of Indonesia.
With Lee Zii Jia out, Jun Hao remains the sole Malaysian representative in the men’s singles at the Odense event.
Lee Zii Jia
October 16, 2024
Leong Aims to Prove His No. 1 BAM Ranking Amidst Challenges
Men’s singles player Leong Jun Hao understands the dedication required to advance and overcome obstacles within the national team, having been a member for seven years.
He emphasizes that sustaining a spot on the team is ultimately up to the player. “Coaches will assist, but you have to navigate the tough times on your own. Everyone must strive to demonstrate their ability to remain in the national team and improve,” says Jun Hao. “In the end, it all hinges on the player.”
As one of the longest-serving singles players, Jun Hao has worked hard to attain the No. 1 position in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). “The results show my progress, and I hope to continue getting better.”
Jun Hao first showcased his potential by winning the 2017 Asian Junior Championships, but injuries delayed his rise through the ranks. The 25-year-old persevered, maintaining his place in BAM, and his determination has led him to the world No. 29 ranking, surpassing the injured Ng Tze Yong, who is now at No. 32 due to a recurring back issue this year.
Alongside Jun Hao and Tze Yong, BAM retains Justin Hoh and Eogene Ewe in the senior team, while Jacky Kok, Ong Zhen Yi, Chua Kim Sheng, and Lee Jan Jireh have been dropped.
Jun Hao credits his coaches, Hendrawan and Datuk Tey Seu Bock, for his success. “I want to thank coach Hendrawan and coach Seu Bock for helping me reach this point. I have worked with them for several years, and they’ve guided me well. I’ve learned a lot from them.”
Hendrawan is set to depart BAM at the end of the month after 15 years, while Seu Bock will transition to the junior team. Former women’s singles coach K. Yogendran has been appointed to the men’s singles team, alongside Alvin Chew, who has been with the junior team.
Regarding these transitions, Jun Hao comments, “We must accept these changes since they’re beyond our control. We need to collaborate with the new coaches and strive to become stronger. I’ve worked with Yogendran briefly before; every coach has unique strengths, and we need time to adjust to their training approaches.”
Jun Hao aims to conclude his year on a high note by performing well in his upcoming tournaments, starting with the Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland, where he faces a tough opening match against Hong Kong’s world No. 16 Lee Cheuk Yiu.
Leong Jun Hao
October 9, 2024
Arctic Open Title Defense a Tough Task for Lee Zii Jia in Finland
Lee Zii Jia is set to defend his Arctic Open title, but the men’s singles player faces a challenging path in the tournament starting today.
After winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, Zii Jia finds himself in a tough section of the draw. His competition includes world No. 3 Anders Antonsen from Denmark, world No. 9 Anthony Ginting from Indonesia, and world No. 10 Chou Tien-chen from Taiwan.
In the opening round, Zii Jia will face world No. 27 Christo Popov from France. Although a tough opponent, Zii Jia has beaten him once before at the 2022 German Open, giving him a slight advantage.
If Zii Jia wins the first match, his likely second-round opponent will be China’s rising star, world No. 22 Lei Lanxi. He could then meet Anthony Ginting, Lu Guangzu, or Koki Watanabe in the quarterfinals.
Last year, Zii Jia won the Arctic Open by defeating fellow Malaysian Ng Tze Yong. Another Malaysian, Leong Jun Hao, will begin his campaign today against Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu. Jun Hao is hoping for a better outcome after a tight three-game loss to Cheuk Yiu in the Hong Kong Open last month, where he led in the deciding game but couldn’t seal the victory.
In men’s doubles, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik return after Wooi Yik recovered from a toe injury that kept them out since their bronze win in Paris. They will face China’s world No. 21 pair Chen Boyang and Liu Yi in the first round.
Other Malaysian men’s doubles teams participating include Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, and Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi.
In the women’s doubles, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, who recently won the Hong Kong Open, will be the only Malaysian representatives.
Lee Zii Jia
October 9, 2024
Pang Ron-Su Yin reach quarter-finals, showing progress
Mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin impressed in the Hong Kong Open, reaching the quarter-finals of a World Tour Super 500 event for the first time. They hope to build on this momentum.
Since being paired last November, Pang Ron-Su Yin had struggled in higher-tier tournaments, but they finally made a breakthrough yesterday at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Kowloon, defeating Taiwan’s Lin Bing-wei-Lin Chih-chun 21-14, 21-15.
A day earlier, the world No. 40 pair stunned Singapore’s world No. 15 Terry Hee-Jessica Tan in the opening match.
Before this year, Pang Ron-Su Yin only made it past the early rounds once in the Super 300 Orleans Masters, where they reached the semi-finals. Pang Ron expressed his satisfaction with their performance in Hong Kong, saying that he believes they are heading in the right direction.
“Su Yin and I controlled the game better today (yesterday) compared to the first round,” Pang Ron said. “We tried to minimize mistakes, and eventually, things improved for us. This has boosted our confidence. Of course, we still have a lot to work on, but at least we know we’re on the right path. Our partnership is getting stronger day by day.”
However, Pang Ron-Su Yin now face a tough challenge in the quarter-finals today against China’s top seeds Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping.
Meanwhile, Korean Open champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei have also advanced to the quarter-finals. Tang Jie-Ee Wei won the first game 21-14 and led 4-1 in the second against home pair Reginald Lee-Ng Tsz Yau when the latter retired due to injury.
The world No. 9 Malaysians will next face China’s world No. 49 Guo Xinwa-Chen Fanghui for a place in the semi-finals.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei had defeated Guo Xinwa and his former partner Li Qian in the Korean Open final two weeks ago.
In men’s singles, Leong Jun Hao narrowly missed an opportunity as he lost 14-21, 21-15, 22-24 to Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu. The world No. 29 made a strong comeback to win the second game after dropping the first to the world No. 15, but could not hold on despite leading 12-5 in the decider and squandering two match points at 20-19 and 21-20.
September 13, 2024
Axelsen Aims for Another Triumph Post-Olympics Success
Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen is set to make a highly anticipated return to the men’s singles competition at the Hong Kong Open, which kicks off today.
This will be Axelsen’s first tournament appearance since his triumph at the Paris Olympics, where he successfully defended his gold medal last month.
The world No. 2 has been sharing clips of his training in Hong Kong on social media.
“Finally here in Hong Kong! Feels good to be back,” posted Axelsen, who seemed full of energy while practicing his shots on court.
Axelsen aims to keep up his winning momentum, having already secured his first World Tour title of the year at the Malaysian Masters in May.
Despite a few challenging tournaments before the Olympics, Axelsen once again proved his championship mettle by dominating Thailand’s world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-11, 21-11 in the final to clinch his second Olympic gold.
On his way to the title, Axelsen also comfortably dispatched Singapore’s 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew and India’s 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Lakshya Sen.
The 30-year-old became the second men’s singles player to defend his Olympic title, following China’s Lin Dan, who accomplished this feat in 2008 and 2012.
Axelsen has not ruled out competing for a record-breaking third gold in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if he can maintain his fitness and form.
In Hong Kong, Axelsen finds himself in the lower half of the draw, with a tricky first-round match against local star Angus Ng Ka Long.
Other top 10 contenders in the same half include Taiwan’s world No. 9 Chou Tien-chen and Indonesia’s world No. 10 Anthony Ginting. A potential quarter-final against Tien-chen and a semi-final clash with Ginting could be in the cards for Axelsen.
With China’s world No. 1 Shi Yuqi withdrawing from the tournament, the top half of the draw is more open, giving Indonesia’s world No. 3 Jonatan Christie and Japan’s world No. 7 Kodai Naraoka a clearer path to the final.
In the absence of Malaysia’s world No. 4 Lee Zii Jia, world No. 29 Leong Jun Hao will carry his country’s hopes. Jun Hao begins his campaign against a qualifier, with a second-round match against China’s Lu Guangzu or Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu awaiting him.
Two other Malaysians, Justin Hoh and independent player Cheam June Wei, have also made it to the main draw from the qualifiers. Justin, making his Super 500 debut, will face Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke in the opening round, while June Wei is set to meet Frenchman Christo Popov.
September 12, 2024
Justin Hoh 11-Spot Ranking Rise a Boost Ahead of Tough Denmark Test
Justin Hoh, a men’s singles badminton player, received a timely boost ahead of his first-round match against Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke at today’s Hong Kong Open, as he climbed 11 places in the latest world rankings to reach No. 57.
Justin’s jump in the rankings is well-deserved after reaching his first-ever World Tour Super 300 quarterfinals at the recent Taiwan Open.
The 20-year-old is now closer to his career-high ranking of No. 48, which he achieved last year before an Achilles injury severely hindered his progress.
Justin recovered from his injury last November after an 8-month break but struggled with foot and knee issues until March when he fully regained fitness.
The young player’s ranking had dropped to No. 233 after his injury, but his hard work and determination have helped him steadily climb back up to his current position.
In May, Justin won the Slovenia Open and then the Saipan International in July, finishing as runner-up at the Northern Mariana Open.
He also earned a bronze medal at the Thomas Cup Finals in Chengdu in May with his teammates, and a month later, he made it to the quarterfinals of the Super 100 Taiwan Masters.
Justin will make his debut at a Super 500 event in Hong Kong, facing a tough challenge against Denmark’s world No. 26, Rasmus Gemke.
Despite a valiant effort, Justin ultimately lost 13-21, 21-19, 13-21 to Gemke, whom he had previously faced in the Thomas Cup group stage.
Meanwhile, independent player Lee Zii Jia also saw a ranking boost, climbing one spot to world No. 3.
The Paris Olympics bronze medalist replaced Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie, who fell to No. 7.
The 26-year-old will miss the Hong Kong tournament but is expected to return for the China Open from September 17 to 22.
Leong Jun Hao remains at No. 29 and will make his Hong Kong debut today against local qualifier Chan Yin Chak, while independent player Ng Tze Yong jumped from No. 65 to No. 61 and will face France’s world No. 28, Christo Popov.
HOH Justin
September 11, 2024
Leong Jun Hao
Character Introduction
Leong Jun Hao (July 13, 1999) is a Malaysian male badminton player.
Born in Boon Lian Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Leong Jun Hao began playing seriously at the age of 9 under the influence of his father, who was attending the Boon Lian Kong Chinese Primary School at the time, and often represented the school.
In July 2017, Leong Chun Ho played in the men’s singles event of the Asian Junior Badminton Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia, as the 6th seed, and faced China’s Bai Yupeng in the final, which Leong Chun Ho defeated 2-1 (21-6, 20-22, 21-17), becoming the third Malaysian men’s singles champion of the AYBC, following Zufari in 2011 and Suthep in 2013, and the third Malaysian men’s singles champion of the AYBC. Champion, and also Malaysia’s second title after a gap of four years.
In April 2018, Liang Junhao played in the Finnish Open and won his first international singles title in his professional badminton career by defeating teammate Zhan Junwei 2-1 (12-21, 21-17, 22-20) in the men’s singles final.
World Ranking – Men’s Singles 27, Week 30, 2024
Olympic Points – Men’s Singles 37, 39621 points
Finals Ranking – Men’s Singles 29, 33980 points

Equipment Used
ASTROX 100ZZ; ASTROX 100ZZ Antique Red; THRUSTER F Falcon; JETSPEED S 12; SHA830SP
Major Achievements
- Member of the Third Place Men’s Team of Thomas Cup 2024
- 2024 Badminton Asia Championships Men’s Team Runner-up
- 2023 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Badminton Masters Men’s Singles Champion
- 2022 Indonesia Malang Badminton Masters Champion
- 2022 Badminton Asia Team Championships Men’s Team Champion
- 2018 Thailand Badminton Open Men’s Singles Runner-up
- 2017 World Junior Badminton Championships Men’s Singles Runner-up
- 2017 Asian Youth Badminton Championships Men’s Singles Champion
- 2017 Asian Youth Badminton Championships Mixed Team Third Place
- 2016 World Junior Badminton Championships Mixed Team Runner-up
July 26, 2024