KUALA LUMPUR: Chan Kwong Beng, one of Malaysia’s longest serving back-up shuttlers, crashed out of the China Masters as the host nation showed that they have plenty in the tank for the future – with four of their fresh faces marching into the main draw in Changzhou.

The 24-year-old Kwong Beng, who has come through the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) development programme since he was in Form 1, lost 14-21, 14-21 to China’s Chen Yuekun in the second round of the qualifying tournament yesterday.

Yuekun will be joined by compatriots Zhou Wenlong, Qiao Bin and Gao Huan in the first round of the main draw today and the youngsters’ domination just goes to show that China have enough in reserves to make their presence felt as the new Olympic cycle unfolds ahead of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

The China Masters is the first major tournament after the last month’s London Olympic Games.

The defeat has put Kwong Beng’s future in the national team in the balance.

His defeat is not surprising as Kwong Beng had earlier requested for a switch of coaches. He wanted BAM to let him leave Rashid Sidek and to train under Hendrawan in a bid to revive his badminton career.