KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — Malaysia’s gallant quest to capture the badminton World Junior Team Championships 2026 title ended with a silver medal after pushing powerhouse China to the limit before succumbing 2-1 in the final match at the Cairo International Stadium in Egypt, on Saturday.
Despite settling for the runners-up spot, the young national squad deserve immense credit for a stellar campaign, marking Malaysia’s return to the title clash since their last appearance on 2017.
In the high-stakes showdown, China drew first blood in the opening round, asserting their authority from the get-go to clinch the tie 55-46.
China surged ahead early through Yi Qing Yin who defeated Saidatul Saadiah Muhammad 11-5 in the women’s singles before Jing Yu Luo widened the gap with a 22-13 win over Tiew Wei Jie in the men’s singles.
The Chinese side maintained their momentum as Si Chen Shi-Wei Yue Yue subdued Genevie Lim-Low Zi Yu 33-18 in the women’s doubles while mixed doubles pair Feng Yi Lang-Li Meng Han defeated Zulwaqqarizal Ahmad-Low Zi Yu 44-30.
Malaysia’s men’s doubles pair Damien Ling-Shazmir Irfan Sharul fought hard in the final stretch but Yi Chen Tu-Wei Gang Zheng held on to wrap up the first round for China at 55-46.
Unfazed by the setback, the young Malaysians mounted a heroic fightback in the second round by showcasing remarkable grit to edge China 55-53 and drag the final into a decider.
Although China took the opening two singles ties through Yi Xin Zhang (11-6) and Hong Tian Yue (22-18), the national camp triggered a resurgence through Genevie-Zi Yu who defeated Chen Shi-Yue Yue 33-30 in the women’s doubles.
Malaysia kept the fire burning as Shazmir Irfan-Genevie overcame Yi Lang-Meng Han 44-36 in the mixed doubles, before Shazmir Irfan partnered Zulwaqqarizal to seal the round 55-53 against Chen Tu-Gang Zheng.
In the rubber round, China built an early cushion after Yin Yi Qing beat Saidatul 11-3 in the women’s singles and Luo Jing Yu overcame Wei Jie 22-9 in the men’s singles, followed by Chen Shi-Yue Yue’s 33-26 win over Genevie-Zi Yu in the women’s doubles.
Malaysia attempted to stage another late fightback, but China stood firm as Feng Yi Lang-Li Meng Han outplayed Zulwaqqarizal-Zi Yu 44-35 in the mixed doubles before Yi Chen Tu-Wei Gang Zheng wrapped up the men’s doubles 55-45 against Damien-Shazmir Irfan to seal the round and confirm China’s 2-1 victory.
Malaysia had emphatically marched into the final after overcoming 2024 champions Indonesia 2-0 in the semi-finals on Friday.
