THE STAR CONTINUE TO SOAR: Chris Lau continues his championship run at the CIMB RSNJS held in Malacca recently.
SIBU: Young and supremely confident squash prodigy Chris Lau cemented his reputation as a rising star when he beat Kayden Keeshan Pragasam 3-0 at the CIMB Rising Star National Junior Squash (RSNJS) 2nd leg held in Hang Jebat Squash Court in Malacca recently.
The Under-9 national No. 1 made it all look all too easy as he effortlessly swept aside Kayden 11-6, 11-1, 11-6 to retain the crown for the Boys’ Under 9 category.
It was also his second consecutive victory over Kayden in the CIMB Rising Star National Junior Squash championship.
The pair met in the 1st leg when Chris also took full control to motor pass Kayden before wrapping up the game at 11-6, 11-4, 11-6.
The final leg, open to 32 top players from each age group, will be held in Bukit Jalil Sports Complex from May 9 to 12.
Chris knows that an intriguing battle is on hand for the Grand Final and he is not going to take anything for granted.
“I badly wanted to get the title as this is my final year in the Under 9 category and, hopefully, I can continue to stay focus and play consistently in the Grand Final to help bring glory to the state,” the petite 9-year-old primary two pupil of SJK © Dung Sang said.
More than 50 players from throughout the country took part in the various age group categories during the four-day championship aimed at tapping young talented squash players who would eventually be groomed to take over the mantle from the seniors.
Chris took up the racquets at the tender age of six before his talent was discovered by his then Pakistani coach Shahid Aziz.
He was roped in to undergo training for four to five days a week at the SMK Sacred Heart Squash Court, sparring with the senior players.
Currently, he trains under his Pakistani coach Awais Amir to improve on his hitting and retrieving skills.
In the recent Sarawak Schools Squash Championship held at SMK Sacred Heart, Chris competed in the U-12 category but failed to make any impact due to his younger age.
It was, nevertheless, a enriching exposure and the championship could also be a prelude to bigger days ahead for him. Chris will be promoted to the Boys’ Under-11 category next year.
Meanwhile, President of Squash Racquets Association of Sarawak Robert Lau Hui Yew described Chris’s performance at the CIMB RSNJS 2nd leg as another revelation of his potential.
“He is already the top player in the country for his category and there is only one choice for him and that is to nurture a winning attitude and establish himself before he is promoted to the Under 11 category next year where bigger challenges await.”
Lau said it would also be historic should Chris eventually won the Grand Final as he would become the first Sibu squash player to win the overall title for the CIMB RSNJS.
“Let’s wait for history to unfold,” he said.
On the performance of the Sibu players in the 2nd leg, Lau expressed satisfaction with the overall results.
Chris’s teammate Tang Thing Yew retained 6th position in the same category while another Sibu player who excelled was Josephine Yii in the Girls Under-13 category when she lost in the final to the defending champion Aifa Azman of Kedah.
Lau, who is also President of Sibu Squash Association, said they were also in the process of helping Sibu team build a better and stronger squad.
“We are fortunate to discover Chris who have the rare talent but what we need is more players like Chris in order to beef up our squad.”