KUALA LUMPUR: National mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto is giving rising star Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan her first taste of senior-level competition by pairing her with the experienced Loo Bing Kun for next week’s Korea Masters.
The decision is part of Nova’s long-term plan to build depth in Malaysia’s mixed doubles department while fast-tracking promising juniors who have shown strong results at international level.
With the senior women’s pool currently limited, Nova believes the time is right to expose younger players like Noraqilah to higher competition and a faster pace of play.
“For the women, our senior pool is small, so we want to try with what we have,” said Nova.
“Aqilah’s results in women’s doubles and mixed doubles were good. We’re trying to help her level up.”
The 18-year-old has been one of Malaysia’s most consistent junior performers this season, producing several standout results on the international circuit.
At the World Junior Championships in Guwahati earlier this month, she won bronze in the mixed doubles with Loh Ziheng and silver in the girls’ doubles with Low Zi Yu. Her versatility across two events has impressed the national coaches.
In May, Noraqilah reached the women’s doubles final at the Slovak Open with Nur Aina Maisarah Hatta, finishing second behind compatriots Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu in an all-Malaysian final that underlined the country’s emerging depth.
Two months later, Ziheng-Noraqilah captured the Malaysia Junior International Challenge title after defeating Datu Anif Isaac Datu Asrah-Dania in the final, confirming her growing consistency at the top junior level.
However, her most notable performance came at the Indonesian Masters I last month, where Ziheng-Noraqilah battled through two qualifying rounds to reach the quarter-finals before bowing out to Denmark’s experienced pair Mathias Christiansen-Alexandra Boje.
Nova said her recent form and composure under pressure made her an ideal candidate to step up.
“Bing Kun is already experienced, and Aqilah has great potential,” he said. “They may not get big results right away, but this is part of her development. I want her to learn and adjust to the senior pace.”
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
