After BAJC 2023, China's Men's Singles Hu Zhe An Aims For World Title

China's men's singles, Hu Zhe An (central), won the 2023 Badminton Junior Asia Championship (BAJC) title. (Photo via Antara/PBSI)

YOGYAKARTA - China's men's singles, Hu Zhe An, won the 2023 Badminton Junior Asia Championship (BAJC) title. In the final match which was held at GOR Among Rogo, Yogyakarta, Hu defeated Yudai Okimoto through a rubber game 13-21, 21-14, 21-14.

Positive results at BAJC 2023 made Hu motivated to win a more prestigious title. The representative from the Bamboo Curtain country is determined to be the best in the 2023 BWF Junior World Championship tournament which will take place in the United States from September 24 to October 8.

"At the World Championships later, I have more motivation considering the opponents who will be faced there are higher and more diverse levels," said Hu.

"I tried my best and had a target to continue to add to my winning medal collection," added the men's singles idolizing Lin Dan, as quoted by Antara.

Even though he was a champion, Hu admitted, the opponent of the Japanese men's singles player was always not easy. It is proven that he had to go through three games before ending the game with a win.

"Previously, when I fought representatives from Japan, I also felt the same way," said Hu.

Before competing in the top match against Yudai, in the quarter-finals Hu also had to face another Japanese representative, Daigo Tanioka. In the last eight, Hu won through a rubber game with a score of 15-21, 21-15, 21-9.

"I was motivated to give my best after China failed to win the title in the team number. After that I was motivated and excited to win the title," said the runner-up of Dutch Junior International 2023.

After becoming the champion in the men's singles number BAJC 2023, Hu also expressed his gratitude for Yogyakarta's public welcome, which was so friendly to welcome him.

According to Hu, he was impressed when competing in Student City so he was motivated to give his best in front of the audience.

"I'm happy to come to Yogyakarta. People are very friendly here. I really enjoy visiting this place," concluded Hu.

Meanwhile, Indonesian representative Alwi Farhan had to settle for becoming a semifinalist and winning a bronze medal from the event.

The men's singles ranked 97th in the world filled the third podium with Chinese badminton player Wang Zi Jun who was also a semifinalist.