KUALA LUMPUR: Every year since 2019, badminton fans have asked the same painful question: will a Malaysian lift the Malaysia Open trophy again?
Since the retirement of Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei (main image), the answer has been an emphatic no. He won his 12th and final Malaysia Open crown in 2018. In the five editions since then – there was no tournament in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 – not a single local shuttler has progressed beyond the semifinal stage in any category.
Lee ended his career on June 13, 2019, seven months after recovering from nose cancer. Although he received a clean bill of health, the former world No. 1 was unable to resume the intense training regime required at the highest level. His absence has left a void that has yet to be filled.
In the years that followed, Malaysia’s leading names – Lee Zii Jia in men’s singles; Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, and Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun in men’s doubles; Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah in women’s doubles; and reigning mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei – have all fallen short of claiming the coveted title.
The Malaysia Open, which runs from Jan 6-11 at the Axiata Arena, launches the Badminton World Federation’s new season and has attracted a formidable field of global stars.
Coming just 17 days after the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, the Super 1000 event presents an immediate opportunity for Malaysian shuttlers to redeem themselves after a forgettable end to 2025.
At the World Tour Finals, only Tan-Thinaah and Chen-Toh reached the semifinals. That underwhelming showing followed a below-par campaign at the Thailand SEA Games, where badminton delivered just one gold medal out of seven – three short of the target set by the Badminton Association of Malaysia.
On paper, Tan and Thinaah have a strong chance of reaching the final, having climbed to world No. 2. Fresh from SEA Games gold and a semifinal appearance in China, the pair are in peak form and will open against India’s Rutaparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda.
A sterner test is likely in the quarterfinals, where they could face World Tour Finals champions Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee of South Korea.
Malaysia’s depth in the men’s doubles also offers renewed hope, with seven pairs in the main draw. Veteran Goh V Shem is also in action, partnering South Korea’s Choi Sol-gyu.
Olympic bronze medallists and former world champions Chia and Soh lead the challenge as second seeds, alongside Man and Tee, and professional pair Goh and Nur Izzuddin. However, South Korea’s world No. 1 and defending champions Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae remain the pair to beat.
The Koreans were dominant at the World Tour Finals, defeating China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang 21–18, 21–14 in the final. The two pairs are drawn in opposite halves at the Malaysia Open.
In men’s singles, the spotlight falls on Lee Zii Jia, who returns after a prolonged injury lay-off. The former All England champion opens against India’s Ayush Shetty, with a potential second-round clash against world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi looming.
Zii Jia’s career has not taken off as expected since his All England triumph in 2021, but he remains Malaysia’s most naturally gifted player. The nation’s other representative, Leong Jun Hao, faces China’s Wang Zheng Xing in the opening round and could meet Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie next.
In mixed doubles, world champions Chen and Toh begin their campaign against Indonesia’s Jafar Hidayatullah and Felisha Pasaribu, while Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie take on Taiwan’s Wu Guan Xun and Lee Chia Hsin.
