PETALING JAYA: Last-minute call-ups Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan will be out to make immediate impact in the Asia Team Championships starting today in Qingdao, China.
The promising young doubles shuttlers Zi Yu and Maisarah have been called up for duty following an injury to Tan Zhing Yi.
Zhing Yi was initially named in the team along with partner Cheng Su Hui but suffered a muscle tear in her right leg while competing in the Indonesian Masters in Jakarta last month.
The 15-year-old Zi Yu and Noraqilah,18, – both who captured silver in the World Junior Championships last year, will be making their debuts in a senior team competition.
“We have called up Zi Yu-Aqilah to replace the injured Zhing Yi and Su Hui in the team,” confirmed doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky.
“We wanted to give an opportunity for our young players to play in a senior team event.”
Zi Yu had already been making waves with previous partner Dania Sofea Zaidi before the latter suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in her left knee last year.
Zi Yu-Dania won silver in the 2024 world junior meet and claimed their maiden senior title together in the Slovak Open last year.
After Dania’s injury, Zi Yu was combined with Noraqilah and proved her versatility by continuing her good form.
The duo triumphed in the Estonian International last month and have been rewarded for their fine showings.
The other doubles pairs in the team are Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting and Chong Jie Yu-Vanessa Ng.
In the singles, national No. 1 K. Letshanaa will spearhead the team’s challenge and will be supported by Wong Ling Ching, Siti Zulaikha Azmi and Oo Shan Zi.
Malaysia have been drawn with hosts China in Group W and are already assured of a spot in the last eight.
