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GOOD RESULTS
Athletes In Badminton & Muay Thai Deliver
By Joshua Tan
By Joshua Tan
Team Singapore athletes in sports like badminton and muay thai were among those who shone recently, with shuttlers Hendri Saputra, Hendra Wijaya, Li Yujia and Ronald Susilo (pix) leading the way at the Japan Open.
Men's Doubles
In the men's doubles, Hendri and Hendra made it all the way to the quarter finals before going down 22-24, 19-21 to Indonesia's Luluk Hadiyanto and Alvent Chandra. Earlier, they caused an upset, beating the experienced Malaysian pair of Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah 21-18, 21-16.
Mixed Doubles
In the mixed doubles, Hendri and Yujia found Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Juhl of Denmark too strong in the quarter finals, losing 17-21, 12-21. But they had made the last eight after they upset China's He Yanbin and Yu Yang 21-17, 21-16.
Ronald's Form
Competing in the same competition in Tokyo, Ronald Susilo did well to beat Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro 23-21, 21-16 in the opening round of the men?s singles. Though he eventually lost 21-19, 8-21, 10-21 to Malaysia?s Lee Chong Wei, he did enough to show he would be a force in the coming months.
Two Titles
Another shuttler Vanessa Neo won two titles at the Ballarat International tournament in Australia. Teaming up with Riky Widanto, she clinched the mixed doubles title. She also partnered Shinta Mulia Sari to take the women's doubles crown.
Muay Thai
Meanwhile, Benedict Chua put up a good show at the International Muay Thai Championships. He was one of four Singapore fighters and 12 professionals from around the world who competed in the event held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
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