Malaysia made a commanding start to the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, with its mixed doubles teams delivering emphatic performances on the opening day. All three pairs secured straight-game victories, sending a clear signal of their championship ambitions.
World No. 4 Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei led the charge, defeating Japan’s Haruki Kawabe and Kokona Ishikawa 21-10, 21-19. Ee Wei played through an abdominal strain, demonstrating remarkable determination, while Tang Jie maintained composure in a second game that briefly threatened to extend to a decider.
The draw has also shifted in Malaysia’s favor after the withdrawal of China’s world No. 2 pair, Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin. This development opens the bottom half of the bracket, leaving defending champions and world No. 6 Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet from Hong Kong as the main obstacle for Tang Jie and Ee Wei on their path to gold.
Other Malaysian pairs also impressed. World No. 34 Wong Tien Ci and Lim Chiew Sien produced a confident 21-16, 21-15 win over India’s Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh. Their next match will be against either China’s Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui or Taiwan’s Wu Guan Xun and Lee Chia Hsin.
Veteran duo Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai, ranked world No. 11, cruised past India’s Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde 21-13, 21-19, showcasing their experience. They will face either Bangladesh’s Al-Amin Jumar and Urmi Akter or Taiwan’s Chen Cheng Kuan and Hsu Yin Hui in the second round.
Malaysia’s strong start gives the team significant momentum as they progress through the tournament. Additional success in the women’s draw, with Low Zi Yu and Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan advancing from qualifying, adds to a positive outlook for the nation in Ningbo.
With form, fitness, and a favorable draw on their side, Malaysia’s mixed doubles teams appear well-positioned for a memorable run at the Badminton Asia Championships.
