Badminton: Sze Fei-Izzuddin reach quarters but it's over for Aaron-Tee, Justin bows out too

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

PETALING JAYA — Shuttlers Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have emerged as Malaysia’s sole remaining contenders for gold in the men’s doubles at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, following the elimination of their compatriots Aaron Chia and Tee Kai Wun.

The success of Sze Fei and Izzuddin places them one win away from a medal, though their path to the semi-finals presents a significant challenge. They are set to face China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, the reigning world champions. Historical head-to-head records indicate that this will be a difficult contest, as Sze Fei and Izzuddin have lost three of their four previous meetings against the Chinese pair.

Despite this statistical disadvantage, the Malaysian duo’s recent performance against the Japanese champions is expected to provide them with the necessary confidence to continue their bid for gold, a title they missed at the previous Asian Games.

The campaign for Aaron Chia and Tee Kai Wun concluded in the second round after they fell to defending champions Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae of South Korea. The Malaysians lost the match 19-21 and 16-21, despite putting up a strong fight against the Korean pair. This defeat marks the end of Aaron Chia’s hopes of securing another Asian Games medal, following his bronze medal achievement with Soh Wooi Yik at the Hangzhou 2022 Games.

The exit of the top-seeded Malaysian pair leaves Sze Fei and Izzuddin as the only Malaysian men’s doubles team still in contention for a podium finish.

In the men’s singles category, Justin Hoh’s campaign also ended in the third round. He was defeated by former world champion Loh Kean Yew with scores of 14-21 and 14-21. Hoh’s day was particularly demanding, as he was required to play two matches in a single session. Earlier in the morning, he had secured a victory over Bangladesh’s Gourab Singha, winning 21-8 and 21-7.

The intense schedule required players to compete multiple times within a short timeframe, a logistical challenge inherent to multi-sport events.

National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen addressed the scheduling concerns, stating that the double-header format was not viewed as an issue by the coaching staff. Jonassen emphasized that the players had been specifically prepared for such scenarios prior to their arrival in Japan. He noted that the structure of multi-sport events is unique and requires adaptation from all participants.

"All multi-sport events are different and it is the same for all players, which means you have to adapt to these changes," Jonassen said. He further clarified that the coaching team was aware of the schedule before the tournament began and had incorporated preparation for these conditions into their training regimen.

This proactive approach aimed to ensure that the players could manage the physical and mental demands of competing multiple times in one day without compromising their performance.

The current state of play at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games highlights the narrow margin for error in high-level badminton competition. With the top Malaysian men’s doubles pair eliminated and the singles campaign for Justin Hoh concluded, the focus shifts entirely to Sze Fei and Izzuddin. Their upcoming match against Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang is critical, as a victory would secure a place in the semi-finals and keep their gold medal aspirations alive.

The psychological impact of their win over Hoki and Kobayashi is expected to bolster their morale, although the technical and tactical superiority of the Chinese opponents remains a formidable barrier.

The elimination of Aaron Chia and Tee Kai Wun also serves as a reminder of the depth of competition in the men’s doubles category. The Korean pair, Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae, demonstrated their status as defending champions by overcoming the Malaysian challenge. Meanwhile, Loh Kean Yew’s victory over Justin Hoh underscores the strength of the field in the men’s singles event, where former world champions continue to dominate the upper rounds.

The Malaysian team’s performance in these events reflects the broader challenges faced by national squads in balancing multiple disciplines and managing player fatigue during high-intensity tournament schedules.

As the tournament progresses, the attention of Malaysian supporters will be fixed on the quarter-final clash between Sze Fei and Izzuddin and the Chinese pair. The outcome of this match will determine whether Malaysia can claim a medal in the men’s doubles, a category where they have historically been competitive.

The coaching staff’s confidence in the players’ preparation for the demanding schedule suggests that the team is focused on maximizing their chances in the remaining events. The next few days will be decisive for the Malaysian badminton contingent, with the potential for a historic gold medal run resting on the shoulders of Sze Fei and Izzuddin.