| Fadhil Yunus |
HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman yesterday attended the prize presentation ceremony of the under-14 junior category in the Brunei Open Badminton Championship 2018 at the Multi-Purpose Hall of The Centrepoint Hotel.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah also received a pesambah from Indonesia badminton legend Taufik Hidayat.
Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim ibni Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah who finished in joint third place was presented with a prize by Taufik, who was invited on the final day of the championship as a guest.
Also present was Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Muneerah Madhul Bolkiah binti Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah.
Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim put out a valiant effort in a closely-fought encounter against Dessen Chung Min Tin in the semi-final where his opponent eventually prevailed with a 21-23, 21-16, 21-19 win.
Mohd Hakem Rahimee bin Bakar emerged winner in the under-14 junior category after beating Dessen 16-21, 21-8, 21-10 in the final. The other third place finisher went to Ridhwan Ramdani.
Mohd Hakem lost the first set but never looked like surrendering the final after levelling the match with an impressive recovery in the second set.
He took the second set where he secured seven straight points en route to reaching the halfway point before making another run of seven straight points without reply.
The third set was a repeat of the second as Mohd Hakem closed in with victory by charging into a 8-3 lead. Dessen bravely battled back but Hakem found his winning touch to reach the halfway point with a 11-8 lead.
Mohd Hakem only lost two points after the interval and secured the title after standing on the brink with a healthy six championship points.
Meanwhile Taufik, a winner in the Olympic Games, Asian Games and World Championships, watched the remaining games in various categories in the championship.
The Brunei Open also witnessed the top shuttlers in both the men and women’s division.