KUMAMOTO, Japan, November 15, 2026 – Malaysia’s Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King captured their second BWF World Tour title together after staging an impressive comeback to defeat Japan’s former world champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi 16-21, 21-13, 21-15 in the 2026 Kumamoto Masters men’s doubles final on Sunday.
The Malaysian pair completed their victory in 55 minutes at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium, adding another championship to their breakthrough partnership just one month after winning the Arctic Open.
Having only joined forces in October, Tai and Yap have now reached two finals in their first five tournaments together, winning both titles.
Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King Fight Back After Losing Opening Game
The Malaysians made a promising start, turning a 2-3 deficit into a 10-3 lead with eight consecutive points. However, Hoki and Kobayashi recovered strongly, moving ahead 13-11 before taking the opening game 21-16.
Tai and Yap responded in the second game, racing to a 6-1 advantage before extending their lead to 13-6 and 19-9. Despite the Japanese pair saving three game points, Malaysia closed out the game 21-13 to force a decider.
Hoki and Kobayashi began the deciding game with a 3-0 lead, but the Malaysians answered with five consecutive points to move ahead 5-3.
One memorable moment came when 20-year-old Tai, falling off balance, managed to return a powerful smash from Kobayashi, producing an impressive defensive recovery.
Malaysia subsequently established an 11-5 advantage at the interval and extended the margin to 14-5 before reaching championship point at 20-11.
Although Hoki and Kobayashi saved four match points, Tai and Yap completed their comeback 21-15, winning the first international meeting between the two partnerships.
The victory earned the Malaysian pair US$39,500 in prize money and further strengthened their credentials as one of Malaysia’s emerging men’s doubles combinations.
Watch: Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King vs Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi – Final Highlights
Video source: BWF.
Lakshya Sen Comes From Behind to Win Men’s Singles Title
India’s Lakshya Sen also produced a comeback in the men’s singles final, defeating Japan’s Koki Watanabe 13-21, 21-18, 21-14.
The eighth-seeded Indian struggled in the opening game as Watanabe claimed it 21-13. However, Sen responded by taking the second game 21-18 before securing the championship with a 21-14 victory in the decider.
The triumph gave Sen his second BWF World Tour title of 2026, following his success at the Hylo Open.
Watch: Lakshya Sen vs Koki Watanabe – Final Highlights
Video source: BWF.
Japan Claims Two Titles as China Wins Mixed Doubles
Japan celebrated two championships, with Akane Yamaguchi defeating China’s Wang Zhi Yi 21-14, 22-20 in women’s singles, while Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi beat compatriots Ririna Hiramoto and Chiharu Shida 21-19, 21-15 in women’s doubles.
China secured the mixed doubles crown through Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin, who recovered from an opening-game defeat to beat compatriots Gao Jia Xuan and Wu Meng Ying 15-21, 21-15, 21-14.
The five Kumamoto Masters titles were shared among four countries, with Japan winning two and Malaysia, India and China claiming one each.
Complete Tournament Results
Kumamoto Masters Japan 2026 – Finals, November 15
Men’s Singles
Lakshya Sen (India) defeated Koki Watanabe (Japan), 13-21, 21-18, 21-14.
Women’s Singles
Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) defeated Wang Zhi Yi (China), 21-14, 22-20.
Men’s Doubles
Aaron Tai / Yap Roy King (Malaysia) defeated Takuro Hoki / Yugo Kobayashi (Japan), 16-21, 21-13, 21-15.
Women’s Doubles
Rin Iwanaga / Kie Nakanishi (Japan) defeated Ririna Hiramoto / Chiharu Shida (Japan), 21-19, 21-15.
Mixed Doubles
Jiang Zhen Bang / Wei Ya Xin (China) defeated Gao Jia Xuan / Wu Meng Ying (China), 15-21, 21-15, 21-14.
