PETALING JAYA: Independent shuttler Mohd Arif Abdul Latif was the only Malaysian who stood tall at the Malaysian International Challenge in Kuching on Sunday.
The 24-year-old Arif was in top form, beating Indonesia’s Ivanudin Rifan Fauzin 21-12, 21-13 in the men’s singles final for his first-ever career title.
The victory has whetted world No. 58 Arif’s appetite. 
“I’m so happy that I finally clinched my first title,” said Arif, who left the Badminton Association of Malaysia set-up in August.
“Previously, the best I ever achieved was only the semi-finals. I think this win is considered a breakthrough of sorts for me.
“I’m happy to be striking it out on my own. I hope this win will spur me on to fight for more titles in the future.
“My next tournament will be the India International Challenge (Dec 11-15). It will my last tournament of the year and I’m definitely hoping to end the year on a high,” he added.
There was, however, no joy for two BAM pairs. Chooi Kah Ming-Teo Ee Yi and Amelia Alicia Anscelly-Soong Fie Cho fell flat on their faces in the final.
Qualifiers Kah Ming-Ee Yi ran out of gas in the final hurdle against Indonesia’s Selvanus Geh-Alfian Eko Prasetya in the men’s doubles, losing 15-21, 13-21.
Amelia-Fie Cho also underperformed, losing 17-21, 14-21 to unseeded Kugo Asumi-Yui Miyauchi of Japan in the women’s doubles final.
