After coming through her first hurdle this afternoon against Vietnam, Malaysian women shuttler S. Kisona is hungry for more as she hopes to be part of the team to make the cut for this year’s Uber Cup.
Kisona gave Malaysia the third point in a 4-1 win over Vietnam in their opening game of Group Y of the E-Plus Badminton Asia Team Championships here in Alor Star.
The former Asian Youth Games bronze medalist stood strong to beat Vietnamese Dinh Thi Phuong Hong 21-17, 21-18.
But as the 19-year-old pointed out afterwards, there were some testing moments.
“Four years ago (at the World Junior Championship here in Alor Star), I was terribly injured with an ACL and for a while, I had some sort of a phobia. So coming back here for this event was very important,” said Kisona.
“I need to prove to my coach (Tay Seu Bock) that I have improved and that I have gotten over that problem.
“I tried to stay focus and not let the past distract me. It has been a while since I last participated in a team event. So I do feel a little nervous.”
Following from Malaysia’s first three points, Vietnam received a walkover in the women’s doubles when Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei had to retire following injury to the latter.
But the Malaysian girls were still too good as they then went on to pick up their fourth point through Chow Mei Kuan-Yea Ching Goh.
“I took my coach’s advice and followed it close. I really wanted to prove to him that I can do it,” added Kisona, who won the Malaysia International Series and Indonesia International last year. – BY ALVIN OH
