MALAYSIAN sporting enthusiasts from all over Victoria battled it out on the courts at the recent Malaysians Games. Meld reporter Aisha Imran brings you highlights from Day 1.
Badminton
Badminton was a hotly contested game at the 2012 Malaysian Games held at Melbourne University’s on March 31.
But the biggest winners of the day were Roy Gan and Chai Zhen Teoh who won the finals in the Men’s and Women’s Singles’ events respectively to take home a $35 Coles Myer Gift Card.
In the women’s singles, Teoh beat three of her opponents, including runner-up Fung Teng Pok, Kelly Su in third place, and Rebecca Ng to claim gold.
Gan on the other hand, faced tough competition in the men’s events, showing nerves of steel in defeating runner up Clement Ho 21:14 to claim the championship.
Semi-finalist Andrew Wong, a State Player from Selangor with ten years experience under his belt ran out of steam and lost his match. Not one to give up so easily, Wong hopes to keep working on his match fitness and improve on his game, with the Monash Open and the ASEAN Games still to feature this year.
In the men’s doubles, Terry Ng and Darren Teoh defeated Gabriel Hii and Jun Hao in a very close game, with the final score ending at 30:25.
Women’s champion Teoh not only took out her event, but also triumphed in the mixed events, partnering with Guo Liang Toi in routing Jessica Lim and Gabriel Hii 30:18 in the championship game.
Netball
Three Malaysian teams battled their way to a $210 Cacao Green Voucher in the netball finals, with Team Phoenix emerging victorious.
With only two competitive games and one friendly played in ten-minute halves, the winner was decided by 11am, an hour earlier than scheduled.
Team Phoenix won a tightly contested game by a single point, beating runners-up Team Saffron, winner of the 2011 ASEAN games, 15-14. Their second game was easier, with them dominating against Team Synergy, winning 21-3.
Mok Shen Khueen from the champions was ecstatic with her team’s display and smiles were evident amongst them. Having only had three training sessions together, the girls put up a brave fight and had every reason to celebrate.
Team Saffron came so close to gold and captain Shhobaa Palan was more than disappointed with the outcome.
Having lost the game to Team Phoenix, Team Saffron then trashed Team Synergy 22-5, but it wasn’t enough. Members Shhobaa and Razlin Razak said they felt “demoralised” and that the games were an “unfair” competition as only two games decided the winner of the Malaysian Games.
Not one to quit, Team Saffron plans to successfully defend their title at the 2012 ASEAN Games, just around the corner.