Kuala Lumpur: With the 2025 Badminton World Championships set to take place in Paris from August 25 to 31, Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun are in better physical shape than ever — and they’ve got one clear goal in mind: bring home a medal.
Speaking to the media at the Malaysia Badminton Academy, Man Wei Chong admitted that their preparation this year has been much more thorough compared to their debut in 2023.
“Compared to the last two years, we’ve made some noticeable improvements. It may not be huge, but we’re definitely in a better position than before. So now, we just want to give our best and push harder than ever,” said Man.
🎯 A Slight Advantage, But No Room for Complacency
As seeded players, Man and Tee receive a first-round bye, allowing them to begin their campaign directly in the Round of 32. While that gives them a small edge, Man emphasized that their journey will still be filled with tough opponents.
“Our first match will likely be against the Popov brothers from France. They’re solid players, and playing at home will definitely give them an advantage. We can’t afford to take anything lightly,” he added.
Should they advance, the third round may pit them against either Ben Lane/Sean Vendy from England — returning from injury — or Korea’s Kim Gi Jung/Kim Sa Rang, a pair that has never lost to the Malaysians.
“We’ve never beaten the Korean pair before, so we’re hoping to put up a better fight this time,” Man noted.
💥 Quarterfinal Showdown Could Be Against World No.1
If Man and Tee make it through to the quarterfinals, they could face the world No. 1 pair Seo Seung Jae/Kim Won Ho of South Korea — a formidable duo who have beaten the Malaysians in both of their past meetings.
Still, there’s reason for optimism. In their most recent clash at the Japan Open, Man and Tee pushed the Korean pair to a deciding third game, proving they’re narrowing the gap.
“Every pair in the World Championships is strong. We try not to think too far ahead. Our focus is just to give our all in every match,” he said.
🇲🇾 Malaysia’s Best Medal Hope in the Top Half
Interestingly, Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun are the only Malaysian men’s doubles pair in the top half of the draw. If the other Malaysian pairs in the bottom half don’t progress far, the nation’s hopes could rest solely on their shoulders.
“Of course, we want to bring back a medal for Malaysia, but we try not to overthink it or put pressure on ourselves. The Chinese and Korean pairs remain our toughest opponents, and we’ve yet to beat them — but we’ll keep trying,” Man concluded.
At the 2023 World Championships, Man and Tee reached the Round of 16, where they lost in a tight three-game battle to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang: 21–16, 14–21, 17–21.
This year, with better fitness, sharper form, and more experience, the pair is determined to turn potential into podium success.
