- Sibling synergy stole the spotlight in the sixth Qualifying Round of the Allianz Junior Badminton Championship (AJBC) 2025 held in Bukit Beruang, Melaka recently, as a pair of twins from Sek Men Bukit Mewah scooped the Girls’ U-13 Doubles.
- 13-year-olds Christina Anne Alexander and Clarissa Anne Alexander, who hail from Seremban, took the title after beating Fong Leanne and Lee Quinn of Arrows International School. The twins first took part in the 2023 edition of the AJBC, where they finished in the quarter-finals of the Girls’ U-13 Doubles during the Negeri Sembilan qualifying round. However, they had to give the tournament a miss last year due to their father’s work commitments.
- Although both girls are Negeri Sembilan state badminton players, Christina also enjoys participating in the AJBC as it is “highly competitive”.
- “We certainly aim to play in the Grand Finals and we still have two more years of the AJBC to look forward to, since we’re only 13. So, there’s every chance for us to make the Grand Finals,” Clarissa added.
- The twins also fought hard in the Girls’ U-13 Singles, but the top spot went to their doubles’ nemesis – Fong Leanne from Arrows International School. Clarissa ultimately placed second, while Christina came in fourth.
- Double victory was also celebrated in the Girls’ U-15 segment, where Annabell Gan Tze Zhen of SMK Gajah Berang won both the singles and doubles categories. Annabell defeated Ungku Iman Zahirah Binti Ungku Mohamed Nur Firdaus from SMK Tinggi St David to clinch the Girls’ U-15 Singles.
- Annabell and Ungku Iman Zahirah then teamed up in the Girls’ U-15 Doubles to overcome Sarah Nur Balqis Binti Ibrahim from SMK Klebang Besar Melaka and Siti Hawa Najwa Binti Mohamad Shah of Sekolah Menengah Tinggi Perempuan Melaka.
- Over on the boys’ court, Song Yong Kiat from SMJK Chung Hwa Klang beat Tan Jared of SMJK Tinggi Cina for the Boys’ U-15 Singles title.
- Yong Kiat also came out tops in the Boys’ U-15 Doubles with partner Max Foo Jin Tao from Beaconhouse Klang, where the pair defeated Loo Wei Cheng from SMK Bukit Rahman Putra and Ng Jia Ray of Regent International School.
- Meanwhile, in the Boys’ U-13 Singles, Jared Lim Zi Hao of SMK Wangsa Melawati prevailed over Chua Teng Jay from Pay Fong Middle School Malacca. Teng Jay then teamed up with Jayden Lim Zhehui of SMK St Francis – Melaka to best Bathmeshwarran Jeevarathanam from SMK Kepong and Derek Wong Shean Jun of TPIS International School in the Boys’ U-13 Doubles final.
- A total of 280 players took part in this Qualifying Round, the sixth of 10 rounds which will culminate in the year-end Grand Finals.
- The AJBC Grand Finals 2025, featuring U-13 and U-15 finalists from all the Qualifying Rounds, will take place in Kuala Lumpur from 5 – 9 November 2025. Each round will see 24 players qualifying for the finals. The U-11 players will not advance to the Grand Finals.
- As in previous years, players participating in the AJBC Qualifying Rounds are not required to pay any entrance fees. The top three winners in the Qualifying Rounds, for all age categories, will earn RM500, RM300 and RM150 (singles) and RM600, RM400 and RM200 (doubles). Players finishing in the top three at the Grand Finals will pocket RM1,000, RM600 and RM300 (singles) and RM1,200, RM800 and RM400 (doubles).
- Registration for the AJBC Qualifying Round 9 in Kedah will open on 2 September 2025. The AJBC is supported by the Sports, Co-curricular and Arts Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia and the Badminton Association of Malaysia.
Sibling synergy in the spotlight at the Allianz Junior Badminton Championship Qualifying Round 6
Kuala Lumpur, 21 August 2025
- For more information and those who are keen to participate in AJBC, please visit http://www.allianz.com.my/ajbc
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Qualifying Round |
Date |
Venue |
|
1 |
16 - 18 May 2025 |
89 Arena, Klang, Selangor |
|
2 |
30 May - 1 June 2025 |
Wintel Sport Arena, Taiping, Perak |
|
3 |
20 – 22 June 2025 |
NS Sport Gelang Patah, Johor |
|
4 |
11 - 13 July 2025 |
Seven Stone Badminton Court, Kuching, Sarawak |
|
5 |
18 - 20 July 2025 |
Olympia Badminton Arena, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah |
|
6 |
8 - 10 August 2025 |
Jebat Racquet Sports Centre, Bukit Beruang, Melaka |
|
7 |
22 - 24 August 2025 |
Kuantan Synergy Sports Centre, Pahang |
|
8 |
26 - 28 September 2025 |
Dewan KBA, Alor Setar, Kedah |
|
9 |
3 - 5 October 2025 |
Dewan Tunku Anis, Kota Bahru, Kelantan |
|
10 |
10 - 12 October 2025 |
Berapit Badminton Court, Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang |
|
Grand Finals |
5 - 9 November 2025 |
Kuala Lumpur |
All winners of the AJBC 2025 Qualifying Round 6
AJBC 2025 Qualifying Round 6 U-13 Girls’ Doubles champions Clarissa Anne Alexander and Christine Anne Alexander (standing, far left) with the runners-up of the same category
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