Ningbo: Malaysia’s mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei led a strong national showing as several Malaysian pairs advanced to the second round of the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) in Ningbo, China.
The world No. 4 duo delivered a composed performance to secure their place in the last 16, defeating Japan’s Haruki Kawabe and Kokona Ishikawa in straight games, 21-10, 21-19, at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center.
After a dominant opening game, Tang Jie and Ee Wei faced a tighter challenge in the second, but maintained their composure at key moments to close out the match and avoid a decider.
Next Challenge Awaits
With the win, the Malaysian pair now moves into the second round, where they will face either Thailand’s Phuwanat Horbanluekit and Benyapa Aimsaard or India’s Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto for a place in the quarterfinals.
Given their current form and ranking, Tang Jie and Ee Wei are expected to be among the strong contenders in the mixed doubles draw at this year’s Badminton Asia Championships.
More Malaysian Pairs Advance
Malaysia’s success in the tournament was not limited to just one pair. World No. 34 duo Wong Tien Ci and Lim Chiew Sien also progressed after a confident straight-game victory over India’s Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh, winning 21-16, 21-15.
They will next face a tougher test against either China’s Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui or Taiwan’s Wu Guan Xun and Lee Chia Hsin as they aim to continue their run in the tournament.
Meanwhile, experienced pair Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie, currently ranked world No. 11, also secured their place in the next round. The duo defeated India’s Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde 21-13, 21-19 in a controlled performance.
Soon Huat and Shevon will now take on either Bangladesh’s Al-Amin Jumar and Urmi Akter or Taiwan’s Chen Cheng Kuan and Hsu Yin Hui, with a quarterfinal spot on the line.
Young Pair Impress in Qualification
Malaysia’s young women’s doubles pair Low Zi Yu and Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan also made a strong impression, successfully advancing through the qualification stage to reach the main draw.
The pair topped Group D after convincing wins over Macau’s Ng Weng Chi and Pui Chi Wa (21-11, 21-10) and Thailand’s Phattharin Aiamvareesrisakul and Sarisa Janpeng (21-9, 21-13).
Their performance highlights the growing depth in Malaysia’s badminton pipeline, with younger players beginning to make their presence felt at major continental tournaments.
Malaysia’s Momentum Builds
Overall, Malaysia’s strong showing in the early rounds of the Badminton Asia Championships reflects positive momentum across multiple categories, particularly in mixed doubles.
With several pairs still in contention, the focus will now shift to whether the Malaysian contingent can convert these early wins into deep runs and podium finishes.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei to see if they can live up to their billing as one of the top pairs in Asia and challenge for the title.
The Badminton Asia Championships continues to serve as one of the most competitive events on the calendar, offering a key benchmark for players ahead of major international tournaments later in the season.
