Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah have ended Malaysia’s 12-year wait for an Asian Games women’s doubles medal after securing bronze at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium.
The world No. 5 Malaysians fell short against China’s top-ranked Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning in an 85-minute semi-final, losing 21-16, 20-22, 12-21. Despite the defeat, their run delivered a significant milestone for Malaysian badminton.
Pearly and Thinaah made a strong start against the world No. 1 pair, taking the opening game 21-16. The Chinese duo responded in a closely fought second game, edging the Malaysians 22-20 to force a decider.
China then took control in the third game, winning 21-12 to book their place in the final and leave Pearly and Thinaah with the bronze medal.
The result marked Malaysia’s first Asian Games medal in the women’s doubles event since 2014, ending a 12-year drought in the discipline.
Source: The Star
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim congratulated the pair following their achievement, praising their fighting spirit and expressing hope that their success would lead to further international honours for Malaysia.
Although they missed out on a place in the final, Pearly and Thinaah showed they could compete with the leading pair in the world. Their victory in the opening game and ability to push Liu and Tan deep into the second demonstrated the level they can reach against the strongest opposition.
The bronze also adds another major achievement to the partnership’s growing record. Pearly and Thinaah have established themselves as one of Malaysia’s leading women’s doubles combinations and have regularly competed at the highest level on the international circuit.
Their Asian Games campaign ultimately ended one step short of the final, but the medal carries added significance because of the long wait surrounding Malaysia’s women’s doubles programme.
For Pearly and Thinaah, the bronze represents a major achievement on the continental stage. For Malaysian badminton, it provides another indication that the women’s doubles event can once again challenge for medals at major championships.
