Ivan aims to do better than SRAM’s quarter-final target
KUALA LUMPUR: The Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) have set a quarter-final target for Ivan Yuen Chee Wern in the individual event of the World Junior Squash Championships in Zurich later this month. But the Selangor player, who was a runner-up in the Asian Junior Championships in Busan last month, is hoping to go one better in his second outing at the world meet, which will be held from July 27-Aug 7. The 18-year-old Ivan, who lost in the third round at the last championships in New Zealand two years ago, said he wants to at least reach the semi-finals of the Under-19 meet. “I am confident of achieving it after coming so close to winning the Asian junior title in Busan last month,” said Ivan, who is seeded joint ninth-16th for the world meet. “I have been training hard and leave no stone unturned to achieve my goal.” Ivan gave top seed Leo Au of Hong Kong a good fight before going down 3-2 in the final in the Asian meet. Ivan was also the member of the Malaysian team who won the silver medal in the Asian Championships in Hong Kong last year. Besides Ivan, the other Malaysians featuring in the World Junior Championships are Kamran Khan, Ng Joo Wern, Mithran Selvaratnam, Mohamed Zul Azri and Cheong Kah Wah. Zul Azri and Kah Wah will not feature in the team event. Pakistan’s Aamir Atlas Khan has been given the top billing in the individual event, which is scheduled from July 27-Aug 1. The team event is set from Aug 2-7. Malaysia bagged the bronze in the team event at the last world meet. This time National Juniors coach Ajaz Azmat has set them a modest target of reaching the top eight in the team event. Malaysia are seeded seventh in the team event.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) have set a quarter-final target for Ivan Yuen Chee Wern in the individual event of the World Junior Squash Championships in Zurich later this month. But the Selangor player, who was a runner-up in the Asian Junior Championships in Busan last month, is hoping to go one better in his second outing at the world meet, which will be held from July 27-Aug 7. The 18-year-old Ivan, who lost in the third round at the last championships in New Zealand two years ago, said he wants to at least reach the semi-finals of the Under-19 meet. “I am confident of achieving it after coming so close to winning the Asian junior title in Busan last month,” said Ivan, who is seeded joint ninth-16th for the world meet. “I have been training hard and leave no stone unturned to achieve my goal.” Ivan gave top seed Leo Au of Hong Kong a good fight before going down 3-2 in the final in the Asian meet. Ivan was also the member of the Malaysian team who won the silver medal in the Asian Championships in Hong Kong last year. Besides Ivan, the other Malaysians featuring in the World Junior Championships are Kamran Khan, Ng Joo Wern, Mithran Selvaratnam, Mohamed Zul Azri and Cheong Kah Wah. Zul Azri and Kah Wah will not feature in the team event. Pakistan’s Aamir Atlas Khan has been given the top billing in the individual event, which is scheduled from July 27-Aug 1. The team event is set from Aug 2-7. Malaysia bagged the bronze in the team event at the last world meet. This time National Juniors coach Ajaz Azmat has set them a modest target of reaching the top eight in the team event. Malaysia are seeded seventh in the team event.