MISBUN Ramdan Misbun’s aim of following the family tradition and become a future international player began with his quest to dominate the 100PLUS National Junior Circuit in Ipoh yesterday.
Ramdan, son of national singles coach Misbun Sidek, is the top seed of the boys’ Under-18 singles in the first leg of Zone A competition and is the favourite to win the title.
Ramdan, 18, has also gained from sparring with the national senior squad for several months now and his target is not just make an impression in the junior circuit but to start competing in the international Satellite and Challenge tournaments to gain exposure this year.
“I haven’t made an impression in the junior circuit yet and my focus is to do well in the Grand Finals. I am also looking forward to competing in the Satellite and Challenge events later this year,” said the lanky Ramdan.
“I hope that sparring with the national players will help me to do well this time. I shouldn’t face any problems in the zone level but I need to improve in the Grand Finals.”
Ramdan received a bye in the first round and plays H’ng Ken Wai of Penang in the first round today.
Second seed and Ramdan’s doubles partner Nur Haqiem Ayub advanced to the second round after beating Perak’s Teh Zhi Liang 21-13, 21-10 and will meet Lim Chun Ming of Penang in the second round.
Third seeded Tang Fang Wyei of Kedah defeated Lucas Manasseh of Perak and plays Lee Kok Siang of Penang next.
Chik Foo Seng of Perak, the fourth seed, was also through after receiving a walkover from N. Kogilavanan to set up a second round encounter against Fariqzuan Fauzin of Kelantan.
The first leg of Zone B is also being held simultaneously in Malacca where Kuala Lumpur’s Lee Jian Jie and Andrew Lee of Malacca are vying for honours in the boys’ Under-18 singles.
