Another Wong joins the fray

The youngest member of Singapore's most famous badminton family made his first steps into top-level senior competition at the OUE Singapore Open yesterday.

And while national junior shuttler Jason Wong, 16, failed to get past the mixed doubles qualifying rounds with Citra Dewi Sari, he took the defeat in stride.

"Even though we lost, my partner and I surpassed our own expectations for the match," said the Republic Polytechnic sports science student after they had lost 18-21, 13-21 to Indonesia's pairing of Muhammad Rijal and Vita Marissa at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

"We were expecting to get only 16 points from our opponents but we managed to earn 18 points off them in our first game.

"I was told by my coach to join this competition to gain exposure so, hopefully in future, I'll get better when I play in more of such tournaments."

Nevertheless, Jason's exit meant that he is unable to join his eldest brother Derek, 25, in the main draw of the Open, which starts today.

He is the youngest of four sons of Wong Shoon Keat, Singapore's last SEA Games men's singles badminton champion back in 1983.

His mother Irene was also a national champion.

Despite having such an illustrious family background in the sport, Jason insists that he has not faced pressure when it comes to his badminton pursuit.

He said: "Some people may feel there will be pressure on me in such a situation but that was never the case.

"My father never pressured me into the sport and always told me to choose whatever path I want to walk down in life.

"In fact, I was inspired, rather than pressured, by my dad and brother to take up the sport after growing up with them and hearing how they excelled in it."

Already, Jason has shown signs of being able to make a name for himself in the local badminton scene.

Current national coach Liu Qingdong saw his potential in doubles events, realising that the youngster's technique, power and movement could be better cultivated when complemented with a partner.

He encouraged Jason to make the switch at the end of last year, pairing him with Citra in his first doubles partnership at the national level.

It is still baby steps in his young badminton career but Jason wants to eventually emulate Derek by turning professional - and, hopefully, do better than his world No.47 sibling.

"The only way to do that is to go further than him in the All-England finals and the Olympics," he said.

This article was published on April 9 in The Straits Times.

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