Justin Hoh Urges Fans Not to Put Pressure on Him
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 (Bernama) — Young national men’s singles shuttler Justin Hoh has urged local badminton fans not to put too much pressure on him at this time.
Returning to Form
To get down to brass tacks, he knows the mountain of odds that he will surmount in good time as Justin admitted that he is still in the process of returning to his true form, including chasing titles after a string of injuries.
"However, sometimes there will be moments when I drop (fall short) but I try to make a comeback," he said at a training session here today.
Injury-Plagued Career
The 20-year-old was previously the world’s number one junior player, including winning the Asian Junior title in 2019, but his run was peppered with injury after rupturing the Achilles tendon in his left leg in April 2023.
Justin then returned to action in November 2023 but was sidelined again due to a right knee injury at the beginning of the 2024 season.
National Squad and Achievements
The coaches in BAM kept faith with the player from Kuala Lumpur to represent the national squad at the 2024 Thomas Cup in Chengdu, China, which saw Malaysia take home bronze.
Justin also achieved his best achievement by reaching the quarter-finals of the Taiwan Open (Super 300), which was the highest-rated tournament he has participated in, and winning the men’s singles gold at the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA XXI) in Sarawak.
Goals and Improvement
The 53rd ranked player in the world hopes to break into the top 32 in the world next year, which will certainly pave the way for him to participate in major tournaments.
"I still have a lot to improve, I have discussed with the coach to stack up on power and strength," he said.
Mental Toughness
Meanwhile, national men’s singles coach K. Yogendran admitted that Justin still needs to strengthen his mental prowess, especially when facing players who are higher ranked.
He said Justin is also seen to be putting too much pressure on himself to achieve something in a short time.
If his singles men can overcome these problems, Yogendran is optimistic that Justin will be able to figure more prominently in the highest World Tour tournaments awaiting him, including the Super 500.
Conclusion
Justin Hoh’s journey to the top of the badminton world has been marked by injuries and setbacks, but he remains determined to achieve his goals. With the support of his coaches and fans, he hopes to overcome his mental and physical challenges and become a top-ranked player in the world.
FAQs
Q: What is Justin Hoh’s current ranking in the world?
A: Justin Hoh is currently ranked 53rd in the world.
Q: What are Justin Hoh’s goals for next year?
A: Justin Hoh hopes to break into the top 32 in the world next year.
Q: What is the biggest challenge facing Justin Hoh?
A: Justin Hoh’s biggest challenge is overcoming his mental and physical injuries and building his strength and power.
Q: What is the support system for Justin Hoh?
A: Justin Hoh has the support of his coaches, teammates, and fans, who are all behind him as he works to achieve his goals.