Astro Kem Badminton (AKB) alumni were among the big winners of the 2020 German Junior Open on Sunday.
In the boys' singles event, Jacky Kok Jing Hong won the title by beating Indonesia's Alvi Wijaya Chairullah 21-15, 21-15, with Justin Hoh joining him on the podium with a bronze medal.
Wan Arif Wan Junaidi, with partner Haikal Nazri, took home the boys' doubles crown with a 13-21, 21-18, 21-16 win over Indonesian duo Rayhan Nur Fadillah and Rahmat Hidayat.
Kok and Arif were former AKB participants in 2014, while Hoh was from the 2016 batch.
Besides the trio, the 12-member Malaysian team competing in Germany featured six more AKB alumni, namely Valeree Siow Zi Xuan, Cheng Su Hui, Myisha Khairul, Goh Boon Zhe, Tan Zhing Yi, and Fazriq Razif Sidek.
Malaysia also bagged a bronze medal at the Under-19 tournament through mixed doubles pair Haikal and Low Yee Yuan.
Astro Kem Badminton was launched in November 2012 to identify talented children aged between 10 and 12 years old and nurture them to become badminton prodigies through a series of comprehensive training programmes, as well as competitive-play experiences at regional and international level.
The programme is a collaboration between Astro Kasih and the Ministry of Education Malaysia, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and the Nippon Badminton Association (NBA).
Currently, more than 50% of Malaysia’s national badminton youth squad are Astro Kem Badminton alumni.
Seng Foo Lee
Mon Mar 09 2020
V Shem ambil risiko beraksi dalam kesakitan
Beregu utama lelaki negara, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, tetap mengambil risiko beraksi dalam Siri Super Premier Terbuka Indonesia meskipun kedua-duanya masih dibelenggu kecederaan lutut.
NBA: Nuggets end Timberwolves' perfect postseason with rout, Pacers edge Knicks
Nuggets, Pacers avoid 0-3 deficits
Budenholzer agrees to five-year contract to coach Suns
Budenholzer to be named Suns coach
Portland Timbers v Seattle Sounders: Neville calls on hosts to put foot down in derby
The Cascadia Derby takes centre-stage in MLS this weekend as the Portland Timbers face the Seattle Sounders.
Los Angeles FC v Vancouver Whitecaps: All eyes on Western Conference summit after cup exploits
Preview: LAFC v Vancouver Whitecaps
Al-Ittihad 0-5 Al-Ettifaq: Ekambi scores hat-trick in five-star display
Al-Ettifaq ended their three-game winless run in style against a toothless Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.
Home advantage big help for Newcastle - Howe
Newcastle United prepare for the final home game of the season against Brighton, with Eddie Howe hoping to use that to their advantage.
Stuttgart set club record with victory over Augsburg
Stuttgart set new club record
Alaves 2-2 Girona: Wasteful Blanquivermells held to dramatic 2-2 draw
Girona's last-minute defensive lapse to draw leaves them looking over their shoulders as they open the door for Barcelona to leapfrog them.
Ireland shock Pakistan in T20I opener
Ireland beat Pakistan in opener
Frosinone 0-5 Inter: Nerazzurri thrash Canaries 5-0 for season's best win
Report: Frosinone 0-5 Inter