In just five years, the AJBC has become one of the most popular and anticipated junior events in the country.
LAST year’s Allianz Junior Badminton Championship (AJBC) Grand Finals champion Putera Raees Rafael Sulaiman sensationally landed the boys’ Under-15 doubles and singles crowns in the AJBC 2026 Qualifying Round 3 in Johor Bahru recently.
The 14-year-old’s chemistry with partner Muhammad Darwisy Al-Qhardawi Mohd Shaharin was key to their success and their victory against Keith Leow Chee Jian (SMK Seri Perling) and Lee Wen Hao (SMK Puteri Wangsa) in the final. It took Putera Raees-Muhammad Darwisy just over 15 minutes to secure the doubles crown, winning the tie 15-7, 15-8.
“We have been playing together since we were in Form Two and have played more than 40 tournaments together. The thing is that we never train together as a doubles pair, we just have this chemistry where we know how to cover each other,” said Putera Raees, who was also the Under-13 Boys’ Singles winner at the AJBC Grand Finals 2024.
“We have known each other for some time and I believe that we can be a strong pair in the future,” added Putera Raees, who is a student at SMK St. Paul in Seremban.
His partner, Muhammad Darwisy, from SM Agama Dato’ Klana Petra Maamor in Seremban, stated: “After making last year’s Grand Finals, we knew that we needed to polish up our game. We will be up against the best in the country at this year’s Grand Finals, and we will need to produce our best game then.”
Putera Raees completed the double win after overcoming his friend and partner, Muhammad Darwisy, in the Under-15 boys’ singles final. Putera Raees emerged victorious, winning 17-15, 21-19, in a battle that lasted over 30 minutes. “It is a little demanding to play two finals in one day but managing the time is crucial,” he added.
Two other players achieved double wins in Johor. In the girls’ Under-13 category, Ko Zhi Ching snatched the singles title after overcoming Yee Eng Kee in the final. She formed a formidable partnership with Lim Xue Er to defeat Dhia Ramadhani Mohd Shakirin-Eng Kee in the doubles tie.
Chang Sao Tang concluded a triumphant run here when he defeated Hafif Hamsyar Hairul Nizam in the Under-13 boys’ singles final. He teamed up with Wan Jia Jun to take home a memorable second gold and more importantly, a place in the AJBC Grand Finals later this year.
Mr. Jeffery Koh, Allianz Malaysia Johor Bahru Branch Manager, En. Mohamad Zaini Jamsari, Penolong Pengarah Unit Pembangunan Bakat Murid, JPN Johor and Ts. Mohd Zaki Ghazali, Deputy Director, Sports Unit, Sports, Co-curricular, and Arts Division, Ministry of Education, presented the cash prizes and medals to the various winners.
The fifth edition of AJBC, initiated to inspire, develop and celebrate young badminton talents across Malaysia, is organised by Allianz Malaysia Berhad (Allianz Malaysia) and supported by the Badminton Association of Malaysia and the Sports, Co-curricular, and Arts Division, Ministry of Education. In just five years, the AJBC, which does not require any entrance fees from the players, has become one of the most popular and anticipated junior events in the country.
This year’s AJBC features a total of 10 Qualifying Rounds followed by the Grand Finals in Kuala Lumpur. The finalists in the Under-13 and Under-15 age group categories from each qualifying round will advance to the Grand Finals.
