A first for Macau China's Pang Fong in Badminton Asia Championships 2019
Macau China's national champion Pui Pang Fong is excited to have made the main draw in the Badminton Asia Championships 2019 in Wuhan, China after four attempts.
The 19-year Pang Fong came through two qualifying round matches to earn a first-round match against Vietnamese veteran Nguyen Tien Minh on Wednesday.
In the qualifying rounds, Pang Fong beat Artyom Savatyugin of Uzbekistan 21-12, 21-18 in the first match and Brunei's Jaspar Yu Woon Chai 21-6, 21-10 in the second.
"This is the first time I have qualified for the main draw. Naturally, I am very excited to achieve this success.
"I failed to make past the qualifying rounds in my previous three attempts in the Badminton Asia Championships," said Pang Fong.
Pang Fong is a two-time Macau China's national champion. He won the first in 2016 and again this year.
"I consider making the main draw in Wuhan as a big boost to my badminton career. Naturally, I am excited to keep my challenge against some of the best badminton players in Asia."
If he makes past the first round Pang Fong is likely to face India's fifth seed K. Srikanth who plays Indonesian youngsters Shesar Hiren Rhustvito in the opening round.
Tien Minh maybe in the twilight of his badminton career but the Olympian is a known fighter who never gives up despite the odds against him in a match and has beaten some of the top-ranked players.
"This is the first time I will be playing Tien Minh. For sure I am losing out in experience but I hope to use my youth and go all out to make the second round.
"Age is on my side and if I can take advantage of this I hope to switch into victory," added Pang Fong.
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