MSSM Squash 2013

4 of our players managed to bag gold, silver and bronze in their respective age group for individuals in the MSSM competition. 2 of them who bagged the gold medal are Mohd Syafiq (Boys u18) and Ng Eain Yow (Boys u15) , 1 of them bagged silver which is Mohd Farez Izwan (Boys u15) and lastly 1 bronze from Jean Wong (Girls u15).

MSSM Squash 2013

6 of our players will be competing in the MSSM competition starting from today. They are Mohd Syafiq, Mohd Aqif, Mohd Farez Izwan, Ng Eain Yow, Jean Wong and Teh Min En. We wish them the best of luck for the tournament.

Rachel chalks up another major win en route to final of NSC Series No. 1 championships

On a roll: Rachel Arnold prepares for a return against Lisa Camilleri of Australia at the National Squash Centre at Bukit Jalil yesterday. — GLENN GUAN / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Rachel Arnold continued her giant-killing feat to storm into the final of the NSC Series No. 1 Squash Championships at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The 16-year-old qualifier firmly held her own against Lisa Camilleri of Australia to record an 11-9, 11-3, 11-6 win in the semi-finals.

With yesterday’s win, Rachel has achieved her first ever final appearance in a Women’s Squash Association (WSA) tournament.

And she could well be on the way to become only the second youngest Malaysian woman to win a title after world No. 1 Nicol David, if she gets the better of Denmark’s Line Hansen in today’s final.

Top seed Hansen proved too strong for Egypt’s Nouran El Torky, winning 11-6, 11-3, 13-11 in the other semi-final.

Rachel, however, did not start well against Camilleri, a former world No. 28 who is making a comeback after 17 months on the sidelines due to a foot injury.

The Malaysian looked lost in the early stages and trailed 3-9 at one point.

But she snapped out of the slump and reeled in eight straight points to take the first set.

It was all Rachel in the second set and despite a stiffer resistance from Camilleri in the third, it was a comfortable win for the Bukit Jalil Sports School student.

“This is my first WSA final and this is really an unbelievable feeling,” said a delighted Rachel.

“I was just trying to play my best and go all out. This tournament has really been a pleasant surprise for me because I was never expected to reach the final.

“Getting through to the main draw was my initial target.

“But having beaten Siti (Munirah Jusoh) in the first round, my confidence grew and I started to play better too. I’ve not really thought about winning but I do know it took my sister awhile before winning her first title. I would like to get one over her though,” joked Rachel.

Delia is Rachel’s older sister and is currently the third ranked player in the country.

Meanwhile, in the men’s event, top seed Ivan Yuen had to dig deep into his reserves to come back from two sets down before beating compatriot Elvinn Keo 11-13, 11-13, 11-8,11-3, 11-6.

“I had a terribly slow start, especially in the first two sets while everything Elvinn hit went it,” said Ivan.

“But after losing two sets, I just told myself to forget about the pressure and go all out and it worked. Hopefully, I’ll perform better in the final and give my opponent a real fight ... although I’ve never seen him prior to this tournament,” added Ivan, who will take on Egypt’s Ahmed Abdel Fattah for the title.

Results

Semi-finals

Men: Ahmed Abdel Fattah (Egy) bt Mahesh Mangaokar (Ind) 11-9, 8-11, 11-9,6-11, 11-5; Ivan Yuen (Mas) bt Elvinn Keo (Mas) 11-13, 11-13, 11-8, 11-3,11-6.

Women: Line Hansen (Den) bt Nouran El Torky (Egy) 11-6, 11-3, 13-11; Rachel Arnold (Mas) bt Lisa Camilleri (Aus) 11-9, 11-3, 11-6.

Rachel upsets sixth seed Zulhijjah and moves into the semis

KUALA LUMPUR: Teenager Rachel Arnold continue her giant killing act by upsetting sixth seed Zulhijjah Azan to reach the semi-finals of the NSC Series No. 1 tournament at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Rachel, who stunned national No. 4 and world No. 44 Siti Munirah Jusoh in the first round on Tuesday, showed maturity and composure in her game to win 11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8 in 35 minutes.

This is the first time Rachel, ranked 115 in the world, has reached the semi-final stage on the professional circuit.

Rachel will face third seed Liza Camilleri of Australia for a place in the final.

The Australian had no problems disposing junior player Vanessa Raj 11-6, 11-7, 11-5.

Rachel, a Form Five student of Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), said it was great to beat two higher ranked players in the tournament.

“I proved my win over Siti was no fluke by beating Zulhijjah (world No. 82) today,” said Rachel, who will turn 17 on April 16.

“It really feels great to create two upsets and reach my first ever semi-finals. I hope to break into the top 100 in the world rankings after this two wins,” said Rachel.

Top seed Line Hansen of Denmark eliminated Egypt’s Salma Nassar 11-4, 11-8, 11-8 and will face another Egyptian, seventh seed Nouran El Torky in the semi-finals.

In the men’s competition, top seed Ivan Yuen staved off a strong challenge from India’s Ravi Dixit before prevailing 11-7, 4-11, 11-8, 11-2 to reach the last four.

Ivan will square off with compatriot and fourth seed Elvinn Keo for a place in the final.

Third seed Mahesh Mangaonkar of India eliminated Christophe Andrew of France 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 to set up a last four clash with Egypt’s Ahmed Atef Abdel-Fattah.

Results

Quarter-finals

Men: Ivan Yuen (Mas) bt Ravi Dixit (Ind) 11-7, 4- 11, 11-8, 11-2; Elvinn Keo (Mas) bt Thomas Ford (Eng) 7-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5; Mahesh Mangaonkar (Ind) bt Jean Pierre Brits (Fra) 11-5, 11-5, 11-8; Ahmed Atef Abdel-Fattah (Egy) bt Christophe Andre (Fra) 11-5, 11-8, 4-11, 11-2.

Women: Line Hansen (Den) bt Salma Nassar (Egy) 11-4, 11-8, 11-8; Nouran El Torky (Egy) bt Tong Tsz Wing (Hkg) 11-7, 12-10, 11-9; Lisa Camilleri (Aus) bt Vanessa Raj (Mas) 11-6, 11-7, 11-5; Rachel Arnold (Mas) bt Zulhijjah Azan (Mas) 11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8.

Rachel downs Siti to score biggest win of her career

KUALA LUMPUR: Budding junior squash player Rachel Arnold (pic)scored the biggest win of her career after beating national No. 4 Siti Munirah Jusoh in the first round of the NSC Series No. 1 at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The 16-year-old Rachel, younger sister of national No. 3 Delia, was completely in control against the more experienced Siti, seeded second, to score a sensational 12-10, 11-5, 12-10 win.

It was a well deserved win for the world No. 115 Rachel as she showed great composure and focus to rattle Siti, ranked No. 44 in the world.

The win also proved to be sweet revenge for the Bukit Jalil Sports School student who lost to Siti in the quarter-finals of the Penang Open last October.

“To be honest, I never expected to win. But I’m really happy because it was a very tough match,” said a delighted Rachel.

“I was really focused today and the strategy to keep sending the ball to the back and playing the longer rallies paid off.

“Right now I’m feeling good and confident and I’m hoping that this form will carry on a little longer.”

Rachel’s reward for an excellent showing will be a clash against seventh seed Zulhijjah Azan in the quarter-finals. Zulhijjah thrashed fellow Malaysian, P. Pushppa Devi 11-1, 11-3, 11-0 in her first round match.

“It will be another tough challenge, taking on Zulhijjah, but I believe that I have a chance,” said Rachel.

Fellow teenager Vanessa Raj also produced a top display as she easily downed Australia’s Jessica Turnbull 11-6, 11-4, 11-3. She will face another Aussie – third seed Lisa Camileri for a place in the semi-finals.

In the men’s event, top seed Ivan Yuen kept up his bid for a second Professional Squash Association (PSA) title after beating compatriot Mohd Hannan Tarmidi 11-7, 11-7, 11-9 in the second round.

He will take on India’s Ravi Dixit, who came back from 2-1 down to beat Malaysian youngster Mohd Addeen Idrakie in five sets, next.

Fourth seed Malaysia’s Elvinn Keo also made the quarter-finals after beating Hong Kong’s Cheuk Yan Tang 11-3, 11-7, 11-7.

NSC Series One

6 of our players are participating in the NSC Series One tomorrow morning. They are Mohd Syafiq, Ng Eain Yow, Jadeleen Lee, Rachel Arnold, Teh Min Jie and Zoe Foo Yuk Han. The tournament will be held at the National Squash Center at Bukit Jalil. Wish our players good luck.

Eain Yow picks up 2012 Sportsboy award

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong presenting Bukit Jalil Sports School student Ng Eain Yow the Anugerah Putera trophy at the MSSM-MILO award ceremony while (from left) Nestle Products Sdn Bhd sports marketing manager Ng Ping Loong and consumer marketing manager - MILO Ng Su Yen look on. Also present are (second from right) deputy director-general Sufa'at Tumin (education operation).

KUALA LUMPUR: Talented junior squash player Ng Eain Yow has added another feather to his growing list of achievements when he bagged the MSSM-Milo National Sportsboy award.

The 15-year-old Eain Yow, who has been on fire over the last two years, was named the top Sports­boy of 2012 on Wednesday.

This is in recognition of his impressive performances on the local and international scenes, including winning the Asian Junior Championship, the Milo All Star and Penang Junior Opens and the national junior championships.

He is the first male squash player to pick up the award.

“I didn’t expect to win this award ... actually, I was only in­­formed about it last week,” said Eain Yow, who has already started the year on a high – winning his second British Junior Open in January.

“This is a good encouragement for me to continue to work harder and bring in good results.

“I also feel that squash is definitely going in the right direction as we’re consistently bringing in results. Hopefully, my team-mates will continue to win awards like this every year.”

The KL-born player, however, does not have much time to celebrate as he will shift his focus to the first leg of the CIMB National Junior Circuit, which starts in Kuantan today.

The squash fraternity also received another boost when reigning Asian Under-13 champion Nur Aliah Izzati Anis of Penang picked up the Promising Sportsgirl award.

Other results saw Olympian diver Traisy Vivien Tukiet picking up the National Sportsgirl award and Sarawak swimmer Nee Gui Ping the Promising Sportsboy award.

2012 MSSM-MILO AWARD WINNERS

National Sportsboy: Ng Eain Yow - squash (RM5,000)

National Sportsgirl: Traisy Vivien Tukiet - diving (RM5,000)

Special Awards (RM2,500 each)

Boy: Abdul Aziz Mohd Zahit - cycling

Girl: Loh Ying Ting - wushu

Special Education Award (RM2,500 each)

Boy: Lim Chee Chong - track & field

Girl: Siti Nooradhiah Ismail - track & field

Promising Sportsboy: Nee Gui Ping - swimming (RM2,000)

Promising Sportsgirl: Nur Aliah Izzati Anis - squash (RM2,000)

Dedicated Teacher Award (RM2,500 each)

Male: Lee Yock Chin - table tennis

Female: Rasia Ak Lutang - track & field

Leadership Award: Abdul Rahman Mohd Nor - sepak takraw (RM3,000)

Squash or studies dilemma for Rachel

This is an important year for Rachel Arnold – she has to decide between professional squash and studies.

Her performances in several upcoming tournaments, starting with the Asian Junior Team Championships in Seoul from Feb 20-24, will definitely be taken into account when she she sits down to decide on what to do at the end of this year.

Her main tournament this year is the World Junior Championships in Poland in July.

“I want to be a professional squash player like Nicol David and Low Wee Wern but it all depends on how I fare in all the tournaments this year. Studies are just as important to me. I’ll make a decision at the end of this year,” said Rachel, who will be sitting for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

“For now, I’m doing fine juggling my time between studies and squash.”

The 17-year-old Rachel is determined to live up to her role in the team event in Seoul as the third player. The top two players are national juniors Vanessa Raj and Celine Yeap. The other member of the team is Teh Min Jie.

“This is the first time I’ll be playing as the third player in the deciders. In fact, this is my debut in a team event at the junior meet. I took part in the individual event last year and made it to the quarter-finals,” she said.

“I played in a team event once but that was in the Malaysian Games (Sukma). I was the first player for Kuala Lumpur and we finished third.

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to deliver when it matters most in Seoul. The fancied teams at the Asian juniors are Hong Kong and India. It’ll be great if we can reach the final.”

Rachel, the younger sister of national No. 3 Delia, took up squash when she was five years old largely due to to the influence of her father Raymond Arnold, who was a national coach at that time.

“I’ve not won any major junior titles. I was ranked fifth in the recent British Juniors. I’m looking for better results this year and, hopefully, do well in the World juniors, which is my main event this year,” she said.

For the record, Malaysia swept both the girls’ and boys’ titles in 2009 Asian Junior meets. But last year, the girls’ team lost to Hong Kong in the final while the boys’ team lost to Pakistan in the semi-finals.

The boys’ team comprise Sanjay Singh Chal, Muhd Syafiq Mohd Kamal, Darren Chan Ti Lunn and Mohd Amir Farhan Ampandi. All of them will leave for Seoul tomorrow.

Source: The Star Online

Pencapaian 2012

1. Dua orang atlet telah dipilih mewakili pasukan Malaysia ke Kejohanan 'British Junior Open' di Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
2. Lima orang atlet telah dipilih mewakili pasukan Malaysia ke Kojohanan 'Pontefract Junior Open' di West Yorkshire, UK
3. Dua orang atlet telah dipilih mewakili pasukan Malaysia ke Kejohanan Berpasukan Asia di Sri Lanka dan berjaya mendapat tempat ke-3
4. Sembilan orang atlet telah dipilih mewakili ke Kejohanan Remaja Asia di Amman, Jordan dan 2 orang berjaya menjadi Johan serta seorang Naib Johan dalam kategori masing-masing
5. Enam belas orang atlet telah menyertai Kejohanan Terbuka KL CIMB di Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur dan berjaya mendapat 1 pingat emas & 1 pingat gangsa
6. Enam belas orang atlet telah menyertai Kejohanan Terbuka Antarabangsa 'Milo All Stars' di Petaling Jaya dan berjaya mendapat 1 pingat emas & 2 pingat gangsa
7. Enam belas orang atlet telah menyertai Kejohanan Terbuka Antarabangsa di Pulau Pinang dan berjaya mendapat 1 pingat emas, 2 pingat perak & 3 pingat gangsa
8. Lima belas orang atlet telah menyertai Kejohanan Remaja Kebangsaan CIMB (Sirkit 1) di Bukit Jalil dan 2 orang berjaya menjadi Johan kategori masing-masing
9. Sembilan orang atlet telah menyertai Kejohanan Remaja Kebangsaan CIMB(Sirkit 2) di Kuching, Sarawak dan 2 orang berjaya menjadi Johan  serta seorang Naib Johan dalam kategori masing-masing
10. Enam belas orang telah menyertai Kejohanan Remaja Kebangsaan CIMB(Sirkit 3) di Pulau Pinang dan berjaya mendapat 1 pingat emas, 1 pingat perak & 1 pingat gangsa