Muhd Syawal Ismail hopes to use his exposure in the 100Plus National Badminton Junior Grand Prix Championships as a stepping stone to the national team.
The Selangor player today reached the final of the Boys' Under-18 final, where he will face Johor's Teo Kok Siang.
Syawal reached the final after a hard-fought battle against Johor's Iskandar Zulkarnain before winning 21-9, 15-21, 21-18 in 45 minutes.
"I hope to follow in the footsteps of my friend Mohd Arif Latif who is now playing in the Thoamas Cup," said Syawal.
"We used to train together when we were younger and he played in the last two 100Plus National Badminton Junior Grand Prix Championships.
"His performances caught the eye of the national selectors and today, he has graduated to the senior national team. Hopefully, I can win the final tomorrow and then earn a call up to the
national squad."
Kok Siang, who only qualified for the semis on countback, was in his element yesterday when he defeated Penang's Koay Wei Sheng 21-17, 21-10 in 28 minutes.
"I rwally want to win the GP this year, said Kok Siang.
"Last year, I lost out in the group stage and I don't want to let this chance go begging."
The girls' Under-18 final will be contested by Sabah's Sanatasah Saniru and Malacca's Tiffany Chase Currier.
Sanatasah reached the final when she defeated Foong Yi Xin of Perak 21-16, 14-21, 24-22 in 50 minutes.
Tiffany had an easier time, trouncing Kedah's Ng Sin Zou 21-7, 21-7 in just 25 minutes.
"I hope to win the title and go on to play in the Asian Junior and World Junior Championships," said a confident Sanatasah.
Tiffany said: "I was a losing semi-finalist a year ago and I'm thankful I've reached the final this year. I will try my best to win the title but it won't be easy."
