Indonesia's Rahmat Hidayat was the big winner in the Badminton Asia Under-17 & Under-15 Junior Championships which ended at the Sudirman Badminton Stadium in Surabaya, Indonesia on Sunday – clinching a double in the men's Under-17 category.
He won the mixed double and the men's doubles on a day when the host won two other titles – the men's singles and men's doubles in the Under-15 category. The men's Under-17 doubles final was an all-Indonesia affair.
Malaysian budding badminton talent Justin Hoh Shou Wei was crowned the new Badminton Asia Under-17 men's singles champion when he upstaged fifth seed Jason Gunawan of Hong Kong China in a three-game thriller – prevailing 21-17, 12-21, 21-17 in an energy-sapping 84-minute final.
The women's Under-17 title went Japan's way with Hina Akechi breaking the hearts of the local fans when she brushed aside home favorite Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo 21-11, 15-21, 21-16 in 54 minutes.
Indonesian fans, however, had plenty to celebrate when Rahmat Hidayat clinched a grand double in the doubles events. First, he partnered Febi Setianingrum for the mixed doubles title – storming past Malaysian favorites and third seeds Beh Chun Meng-Cheng Su Hui in a come-from-behind 10-21, 21-14, 21-12 win in 45 minutes.
Hours later Rahmat was back on the court – this time for the men's Under-17 doubles final with Davin Rutama. In an all-Indonesian final, they beat Muhammad Rayhan Nur Fadillah-Marwan Faza 16-21, 21-18, 22-20 in a close-fought match.
The second-seeded Justin salvaged some pride for the Malaysian camp after the shock defeat of Chun Meng-Su Hui who lost the mixed doubles final to unseeded Indonesians Rahmat-Febi Setianingrum.
"This medal around my neck will motivate me for better things in my badminton career," said Justin who defeated Hsu Che Yu of Chinese Taipei 21-17, 21-15 in the semi-finals on Saturday while Jason was taken the distance in his semi-final, battling past Kao Hong En of Chinese Taipei 21-10, 23-25, 21-15.
Justin won the Under-15 men's doubles with Muhammad Fazriq Razif in Myanmar two years ago. However, it is the men's singles title he wanted badly. It was his second victory over Jason in two outings, having beaten his opponent in the same tournament last year.
"It is tough playing Jason as he is far more experienced playing at a higher level in international tournaments," added Justin who is also Malaysian Schools doubles champion with Fazriq.
Indonesia and India split the singles titles in the Under-15 category. Fifth-seeded Alwi Farhan showed tremendous fighting spirit in his 21-19, 21-17 win over a bigger-sized opponent from Chinese Taipei Ma Cheng Yi in 47 minutes in the men's final.
In an all-India women's Under-15 final top-seeded Tasnim Mir had to fight back from a game down for a 17-21, 21-11, 21-19 win over unseeded Tara Shah.
The women's Under-17 doubles final saw top seeds Pornpicha Choeikeewong-Pornnicha Suwatnodom roared back from a game down to beat Indonesia's Meilysa Trisas Puspita Sari-Rachel Alleyssya Rose 13-21, 21-18, 21-16.
Korean identical Kim twins – Min Ji-Min Seon shut home out the vociferous home fans and favorites Priskila Venus Elsadai-Valentine Dionny Mesdila a 21-13, 19-21, 21-18 to take women's Under-15 doubles title.
RESULTS (All Finals)
Under-17
Men
Singles
Justin Hoh Shou Wei (MAS) beat Jason Gunawan (HKG) 21-17, 12-21, 21-12
Doubles
Rahmat Hidayat-Davin Rutama (INA) beat Muhammad Rayhan Nur Fadillah-Marwan Faza (INA) 16-21, 21-18, 22-20
Mixed doubles
Rahmat Hidayat-Fei Setianingrum (INA) beat Ceh Chun Meng-ChengSu Hui (MAS) 10-21, 21-14, 21-12
Women
Singles
Hina Akechi (JPN) beat Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo (INA) 21-11, 15-21, 21-16
Doubles
Pornpicha Choeikeewong-Pornnicha Suwatnodom (THA) beat Meilysa Trisas Puspita Sari-Rachel Alleyssa Rose (INA) 13-21, 21-18, 21-16
UNDER-15
Men
Singles
Alwi Farhan (INA) beat Ma Cheng Yi (TPE) 21-19, 21-17
Doubles
Jonathan Farrel Gosal-Adrian Pratama (INA) beat Lai Po Yu-Tsai Fu Cheng (TPE) 17-21, 24-22, 21-14
Mixed doubles
Yudai Okimoto-Nao Yamakita (JPN) beat Adisak Prasertphetmanee-Warisara Dansoonthronwong (THA) 19-21, 21-17, 21-18
Women
Singles
Tasnim Mir (IND) beat Tara Shah (IND) 17-21, 21-11, 21-19
Doubles
Kim Min Ji-Kim Min Seon (KOR) beat Priskila Venus Elsadai-Valentine Dionny Mesdila (INA) 21-13, 19-21, 21-18
