YOUTH OLYMPICS Day 2 – Two Huang-derful Performances

Both Huang Yixiang (pictured) of China and Huang Chao of Singapore make it to the boys’ singles quarter-finals after completing their pool matches with 3 full wins each.

By Timothy Chan, Badzine Correspondent, reporting live from Singapore. Photos: Badmintonphoto (live)

Day 2 of the competition and last day of all the pool matches, saw Asian Junior Champion and 4th seed Huang Yixiang successfully and easily beat his opponents all in 2 straight games, staying in contention for his target of a gold medal at YOG. This 1.8-metre-tall 17-year-old is satisfied with his good form today, where he produced an excellent performance, defeating Nick Fransman of the Netherlands 21-11, 21-14 and Belarbi Mohamed Adberrahim of Algeria 21-9, 21-11. Yesterday he won against Egypt’s Elsayad Mahmoud 21-9, 21-13.

Though Yixiang only attained a 5th position in this year WJC, he is very positive and aims to get that first YOG badminton gold medal. This young player has already been exposed to senior tournament and took part in the recent Macau Open whereby he reached round two. He wants to use all this exposure and the systematic training he has been going through to fulfill his golden dream.

Host nation’s “Huang-der” boy Huang Chao stormed into the quarter-finals as well with 2 good performances today, winning over Mario Cuba of Peru 21-15, 21-10 and Asher Richardson of New Zealand 21-7, 21-8.

“I am happy to keep winning. I want to thank the crowd, which is my inspiration. And also today both my parents are present to support and cheer me,” said Huang triumphantly.

Short, stocky seventh seed Loh Wei Sheng (pictured) of Malaysia continued his winning streak today too, with another 2 straight-game victories over Lale Emre of Turkey 21-17, 21-9 and Nguyen Huynh Thong Thao of Vietnam 21-6, 21-12. Yesterday, he easily swept away Ghislain Kervin of Seychelles 21-8, 21-5.

“Though the drift is strong in the stadium, I have already got used to the court condition and adjusted well,” said Loh on his readiness for the quarter-final. Loh was runner-up at this year AJC where he lost to the eventual champion, Huang Yixiang. He did not fare well in the World Juniors, losing in the third round. He prefers to take these Youth Olympics on a match by match basis, as having no target means no extra pressure. He had beat Pisit Poodchalat of Thailand in this year AJC. If he can beat Huang Chao in the quarter-finals, he is prepared to meet either Pisit or Yixiang.

As expected, top seed Kang Ji Wook (photo) of South Korea had it easy today with his third win against Zenas Lam of USA 21-16, 21-9.

“Yes as the top seed I feel the pressure and further more this is the Youth Olympics,” nodded Kang as he will try to loosen up to overcome his nervousness to play well in the quarter-final.

In summary, the boys’ singles category saw two seeded players fail to make it to tomorrow quarter-finals, that is the disappointed Japan’s Horiuchi Kento from Pool B and Finland’s Kasper Lehikoinen from Pool D. Indonesia’s Evert Sukamta, who was the one to spoil Horiuchi’s plans, is also the one who must face Kang in the quarter-finals.

For complete results, CLICK HERE

Here is the quarter final bracket :

If you want to book a room during the event or anytime you are visiting Singapore, feel free to visit the website of our partner hotel the Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel.  A classy and great Hotel only minutes away from the Stadium and a short haul from the city Center. Click HERE