KUALA LUMPUR — The perception of age is subjective. While 20 may seem young to many, it often marks a critical time in an athlete’s career to reach peak performance.
For Malaysian shuttler Justin Hoh, once touted as the next big hope in men’s singles, turning 20 in April has only sharpened his focus on breaking into the elite level.
Justin admits he has fallen behind his peers, struggling through multiple injuries.
Last year, Justin ruptured his left Achilles tendon, and just as he was about to return to the court earlier this year, the Kuala Lumpur-born player sustained a right knee injury.
This setback led to his removal from Malaysia’s squad for the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC).
Despite these setbacks, Justin, now ranked 48th in the world, has earned notable achievements this year, including titles at the Slovenia Open and Saipan International and a runner-up finish at the Northern Marianas Open.
“My batch has players who have already peaked, but I’m in no rush. I know I’ve had injuries, so I’ll take it step by step to catch up,” Justin said.
“This year, I feel I’ve gained good experience in most of the tournaments I played because I got the chance to face top players.
“When I go up against top players, I can see where my level stands, and that’s what I mean by gaining good experience to improve my game.”
Justin’s cohort includes rising stars such as France’s Alex Lanier, winner of this year’s Japan Open, Indonesia’s 2023 World Junior Champion Alwi Farhan, Taiwan’s 2022 World Junior Champion Kuo Kuan Lin, and Hong Kong’s Jason Gunawan.
As the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) prepares to appoint a new singles head coach, Justin hopes for guidance to elevate his game.
“First of all, I hope that whichever coach is appointed can help me reach a higher level.
“Second, I hope there’s a strong trust between the head coach and me.
“I like coaches who are disciplined. Each coach has their own strengths, and I hope I can learn from them,” he added.
Following BAM’s decision not to renew Hendrawan’s contract, Datuk Tey Seu Bock will lead the national junior squad.
Though BAM has yet to name a replacement, potential candidates include Mulyo Handoyo and Kenneth Jonassen. — November 1, 2024