KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 — National junior player Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin closed the 2015 season with his fifth title after clinching the National Circuit Grand Prix Badminton Finals at Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara today.
He crushed training mate Chong Yee Han 21-8, 21-10 in just 25 minutes for his second local tournament win after garnering the Perak Open in August.
Iskandar took home the top prize of RM14,000 while Chong won RM7,200.
The 24-year-old player put up a commendable performance this season winning three international tournaments — the Singapore International Series in August, Poland International Series in September and the Switzerland International Series in October.
“I am very happy to end the season with a bang but there will be more targets next year which I hope to achieve,” said Iskandar when met by reporters after the championship.
Among his targets for 2016 was to at least win one Grand Prix Gold tournament apart from getting into the world’s top 30 to improve his chances of winning a place in the 2016 Thomas Cup squad.
National men’s professional doubles Mohd Arif Abdul Latif/Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub upset national juniors Teo Ee Yi/Tan Wee Gieen 11-21, 21-15, 22-20.
Mohd Arif and Nur Mohd Azriyn won RM22,000 while Teo and Tan took home RM12,000.
Top seeded national women’s singles player Tee Jing Yi, who outclassed world junior champion Goh Jin Wei 21-14, 21-10, won RM8,000 while Jin Wei collected RM4,000.
National junior women’s doubles Chin Kah Mun/Chow Mei Kuan beat teammates Joyce Choong Wai Chi/Yap Cheng Wen 22-20, 21-10.
The mixed doubles was won by national elite pair Tan Aik Quan/Lai Pei Jing who defeated national junior pair Ong Yew Sin/Lee Meng Yean 21-18, 21-10.
The champions for women’s doubles and mixed doubles won RM11,000 while the runners-up took home RM6,000. — Bernama
