Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao wrapped up a remarkable campaign at the Japan Masters 2024 with a runner-up finish, marking a milestone in his career despite falling short in the final.
In a 44-minute match, the World No. 31 went down to China’s World No. 9 Li Shifeng, losing 10-21, 13-21 on Sunday (Nov 17) in Kumamoto. The defeat extended Jun Hao’s winless streak against the rising Chinese star to four matches, but his journey to the final left a strong impression on the badminton world.
Jun Hao, 25, stunned top-ranked players on his way to his first-ever final in a World Tour Super 500 event, overcoming the odds to make Malaysian badminton history:
Leong Jun Hao’s achievement is particularly significant for Malaysian badminton, as he became the first men’s singles player from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to reach a final in a World Tour tournament this year.
Despite the loss, Jun Hao’s brilliant run in Kumamoto shows his potential to rise further in the global rankings. With this experience under his belt, he will look to carry his newfound confidence into future tournaments.
Credit Photo : BERNAMA
