Leong Jun Hao’s Giant-Killing Run Ends in Kumamoto Masters Final
A Tale of Two Players
National singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao’s superb run at the Kumamoto Masters Japan badminton championships final came to an end as he lost to China’s world No 9 Li Shi Feng in straight games. The lanky Chinese player, seeded No 7 in the tournament, was in total control of the match and won 21-10, 21-13 in 44 minutes.
A Giant-Slayer’s Journey
Jun Hao, 25, had been on a remarkable run, defeating four top players en route to the final. The four players he defeated were Olympic semi-finalist Lakshya Sen of India, Japan’s Koki Watanabe and Kodai Naraoka, and Jonatan Christie of Indonesia. His giant-killing feats had earned him widespread praise on social media, with netizens hailing his performance as a “big victory” in itself.
A Tired Jun Hao
However, Jun Hao’s matches in the earlier rounds had taken a toll on him, stretching to three games each. He appeared to be suffering from fatigue, which may have affected his performance in the final. Shi Feng forced him into errors with his strong overhead smashes and well-placed returns, taking the first game 21-10 in 22 minutes.
A Second-Game Surge
Jun Hao switched to aggressive play to take a 5-2 lead in the second game, but Shi Feng, a former All-England champion, regained control and raced ahead to win 21-13. The tired Malaysian was unable to handle Shi Feng’s power and accuracy, ultimately losing the match.
Prize Money and Consolation
Jun Hao will take home US$15,960 (RM71,346) as the runner-up, while Shi Feng pockets US$31,500 (RM140,815). Despite the loss, Jun Hao can take heart in his performance, knowing that he had pushed one of the world’s top players to the limit.
Conclusion
Leong Jun Hao’s giant-killing run may have ended in the Kumamoto Masters final, but his performance will be remembered for a long time. He has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with on the badminton court, and his fans will be eagerly waiting for his next outing.
FAQs
Q: Who won the Kumamoto Masters final?
A: China’s Li Shi Feng won the match in straight games, 21-10, 21-13.
Q: How many players did Leong Jun Hao defeat en route to the final?
A: He defeated four top players: Olympic semi-finalist Lakshya Sen of India, Japan’s Koki Watanabe and Kodai Naraoka, and Jonatan Christie of Indonesia.
Q: How much prize money did Leong Jun Hao win as the runner-up?
A: He won US$15,960 (RM71,346) as the runner-up.