Malaysia’s Chen Tang Jie, Toh Ee Wei claim mixed doubles world title on their country’s National Day

PARIS – Badminton pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei made Aug 31, 2025 a day to remember as they emerged as Malaysia’s first mixed doubles world champions on their country’s National Day.

Fired up by cheers of “Malaysia boleh” at the Adidas Arena in Paris, the fourth seeds claimed a 21-15, 21-14 victory over the second-seeded Chinese pair of Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin in the final of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Championships.

Toh, who wept on court after sealing victory, told BWF: “Overwhelmed, because if you get it, you are a world champion. This means a lot to us because it’s Merdeka Day.

“We also got a full house of Malaysian fans supporting us here. We felt their power on the court and just kept going, fighting for every point.”

Chen, who ripped off his shirt after the historic victory, was lost for words.

“Actually, I can’t describe my feeling right now. I’m very glad and happy that we have become the world champions. Other people can call us world champions. Yes, world champions. It’s very, very meaningful for every player,” he said.

Chen, 27, and Toh, 24, had split in March, citing “irreconcilable differences”, but made a U-turn a month later, following criticism of their high-profile separation from Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

And Malaysia nearly made it twice the joy in the women’s doubles. Second-ranked Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan were just edged out 21-14, 20-22, 21-17 by Chinese world No. 1 pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning.

Malaysia’s only other world champions are men’s doubles duo Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik from 2022.

Earlier, Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi reclaimed her women’s singles crown after cruising to a 21-9, 21-13 win over Chen Yufei of China.

The fifth seed rarely looked troubled in the final and needed just 37 minutes to add a third world title to those from 2021 and 2022.

Chen, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist, battled past top seed and reigning champion An Se-young of South Korea in a semi-final win marked by a nasty-looking ankle twist early in the second game.

The 27-year-old received treatment on the court on Aug 30 and had her ankle examined immediately after the match.

In the Aug 31 final, Chen appeared hampered in her movement and Yamaguchi took full advantage in the opening game.

The fourth seed dug in to stay with Yamaguchi in the second game, until the 28-year-old pulled away after the interval to consign her opponent to a second world silver medal. Chen lost her previous final to Yamaguchi in Tokyo three years ago.

In the men’s singles, Chinese world No. 1 Shi Yuqi outlasted defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand 19-21, 21-10, 21-18 to win his first world title. AFP