ARIFFIN NAZRI, DANIA SOFEA EMERGE VICTORIOUS AT THE 2023 JOHOR CLOSED BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIP

PONTIAN (8 January 2023): The 2023 Johor Closed Badminton Championship once again lived up to its top billing, with aspiring shuttlers producing scintillating performances on the final day of competition at the DBC Sport Arena in Pontian today.

The eleventh edition was a massive success for the organiser, the Johor Badminton Association (JBA), which gave young talents the opportunity to strut their stuff during the four-day tournament, drawing more than 600 participants.

As expected, top-seeded Ariffin Nazri claimed bragging rights as the best in the state after edging Wee Yee Tern 21-19, 21-17 in the men's Under-21 singles final.

It was a thrilling and exhausting opening game, with Ariffin stretched to the limit before taking it 21-19. The ever-calm Ariffin then broke his opponent's spirit in the second game, winning 21-17 to clinch his long-awaited title.

A delighted Ariffin commended his opponent for putting up a superb fight until the end. "It was not an easy task reaching the final. I would like to congratulate Wee Yee Tern for making it this far. It was a tough game, and I am proud to share this moment with my Johor state teammate," said Ariffin.

He added, "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Johor BA for organising this tournament, as it gives players like me an opportunity to play against the top shuttlers in the state."

After retaining her U-16 girls' singles title by defeating Lai Eyun 21-7, 21-10 in an early morning match, Dania Sofea was in action again, teaming up with Lai Eyun to beat Koh Yi Rou-Yap Yi Ning 21-9, 21-10 and clinch their maiden U-16 girls' doubles title.

Meanwhile, the much-awaited U-21 men's doubles final saw Ariffin Nazri-Ashraf Daniel take on Wee Yee Hern-Wee Yee Tern in a fiery clash of siblings, with Ariffin and Ashraf sweeping their opponents 21-15, 21-19.

The 2023 Johor Closed Championship comprised five age categories: Under-21, Under-16, Under-14, Under-12 and Under-10.

2023 Johor Closed Badminton Championship winners:

Men's Singles U-21 – Winner: Ariffin Nazri Zakaria; Runner-up: Wee Yee Tern

Women's Singles U-21 – Winner: Lim Shin; Runner-up: Seong Ler Yee

Men's Doubles U-21 – Winner: Muhammad Ariffin Nazri Zakaria-Muhammad Ashraf Daniel Zakaria; Runner-up: Wee Yee Hern-Wee Yee Tern

Women's Doubles U-21 – Winner: Hoe Shi Yun-Zuraini Nazri; Runner-up: Chong Kei Wee-Koh Yu Wen

Boys' Singles U-16 – Winner: Chen Jia Le; Runner-up: Kong Wen Zhuo

Girls' Singles U-16 – Winner: Dania Sofea Zaidi; Runner-up: Lai Eyun

Boys' Doubles U-16 – Winner: Chen Jia Le-Yap Jen Wee; Runner-up: Siau Yu Hang-Daniel Tan Ying Enn

Girls' Doubles U-16 – Winner: Lai Eyun-Dania Sofea Zaidi; Runner-up: Koh Yi Rou-Yap Yi Ning

Boys' Singles U-14 – Winner: Kua Ming Ze; Runner-up: Albee Loh Cheng Yi

Girls' Singles U-14 – Winner: Low Zi Yu; Runner-up: Hasyni Devi Sahathevan

Boys' Doubles U-14 – Winner: Goh Wei Zhan-Alfred Phua Ze Zuan; Runner-up: Kua Ming Ze-Kua Wei Ze

Girls' Doubles U-14 – Winner: Auni Fatihin Azuan-Low Zi Yu; Runner-up: How Yin Xuan-Teo Pei Ning

Boys' Singles U-12 – Winner: Dani Syafi Zaidi; Runner-up: Keith Leow

Girls' Singles U-12 – Winner: Tanisha Nair Navin Kumar; Runner-up: Tan Jin Qi

Boys' Doubles U-12 – Winner: Chiam Zi Hong-Dani Syafi Zaidi; Runner-up: Keith Leow Chee Jian-Ko Zhi Teng

Girls' Doubles U-12 – Winner: Kalai Selvi Kumaravel-Goh Honney; Runner-up: Hew Yu Xing-Kung Lee Ya

Boys' Singles U-10 – Winner: MN Azriq Nuqman Al Iman; Runner-up: Lee Zhi Hao

Girls' Singles U-10 – Winner: Ko Zhi Ching; Runner-up: Preetika Moganadass

Boys' Doubles U-10 – Winner: Lee Zhi Hao-MN Azriq Nuqman Al Iman; Runner-up: Jayden Teo-Javier Yu

Girls' Doubles U-10 – Winner: Ko Zhi Ching-Lim Xue Er; Runner-up: Dhia Ramadhani-Saw Yu Qin