Malaysia’s men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao has received a timely lift ahead of the Malaysian Open with world-class sparring sessions against India’s top player Lakshya Sen at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM).
Lakshya Sen – Leong Jun Hao Sparring Session
Lakshya Sen, currently ranked world No. 13, joined Jun Hao and other national players for a two-day training stint as part of his own preparations for the Super 1000 tournament, which begins on Tuesday at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil. The presence of the Paris Olympic semi-finalist has injected quality and intensity into the national squad’s training sessions.
National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen welcomed the opportunity, describing it as a rare and valuable experience for his players.
“Lakshya is joining our match play and training sessions for two days. Obviously, he’s here to prepare for the Malaysian Open too, but this is a win-win situation,” said Jonassen. “We don’t get this level of sparring on a daily basis, so we truly appreciate opportunities like this.”
Leong Jun Hao, who is ranked world No. 28, is coming off a challenging 2025 season in which he struggled for consistency and suffered several early exits. However, Jonassen believes the 26-year-old is beginning to show encouraging signs, particularly after last month’s SEA Games.
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“After the SEA Games, Jun Hao is slowly turning a corner in terms of what I see in training,” said Jonassen. “He’s starting to accept that consistency and effort must come from within. That’s not something you change overnight- it’s a habit that needs constant reinforcement.”
Jonassen added that sparring with Lakshya has exposed Jun Hao to a different mindset and pace, which could prove crucial as he looks to translate strong training performances into competitive results.
“The quality and speed Lakshya brings to training raise the level for everyone. These are the kinds of sessions that help players understand what is required to succeed at the highest level.”
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The Malaysian Open will serve as an important early test for Jun Hao, who faces a tricky first-round match against China’s world No. 29 Wang Zhengxing. The encounter will be their first meeting.
“Zhengxing is a dangerous opponent if you allow him to dictate the rhythm,” warned Jonassen. “Chinese players are very good at adapting and changing styles mid-match. Jun Hao needs to apply early pressure and perform at his strongest level, or it will be a short outing.”
While expectations remain measured, Jonassen is cautiously optimistic.
“I’m seeing progress, and if this effort is sustained, the results will come. Any Malaysian player wants to do well at a home tournament, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Jun Hao responds.”
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Lakshya Sen, meanwhile, opens his Malaysian Open campaign against Singapore’s world No. 21 Jason Teh, having ended last season on a high by winning the Australia Open in November.
Leong Jun Hao will be joined in the men’s singles by Lee Zii Jia, who is making a comeback after a long injury layoff. Malaysia will not have a representative in the women’s singles event.
