China Clinches Badminton Team Championship Title as Malaysia Suffers Defeat
Conor Hudson
Mon Feb 26 2024
In a thrilling showdown at the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships, China emerged victorious over defending champions Malaysia in a dominating 3-0 victory. The absence of Malaysia's world No. 10 men's singles player, Lee Zii Jia, due to a recurring sinus condition, added to the home team's woes. Malaysia's chances of reclaiming the title took another blow with Ng Tze Yong sidelined by a back injury.
Despite the tournament usually serving as a platform for grooming young talents, top singles players like Shi Yuqi and Li Shifeng were absent, allowing China's Weng Hongyang to kickstart the final match by defeating Leong Jun Hao. The defending champions attempted a comeback using the 5th-ranked pair Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik, but China's Xie Haonan/Zeng Weihan, ranked 90th, outplayed them to secure a crucial win.
The World Champions of 2022 went on to secure the victory, overcoming a tense battle in the deciding game even after Malaysia held the lead at 20-19 and 21-20. In the crucial men's singles match, Malaysia fielded 18-year-old Eogene Ewe, who struggled against China's Lei Lanxi, ultimately losing the match.
On the women's team side, India clinched their first-ever title by defeating Thailand 3-2. The 17-year-old rising star Anmol Kharb played a pivotal role in securing the victory, including a decisive win over Pornpicha Choeikeewong. Kharb's exceptional performance throughout the tournament, notably defeating powerhouses like China and Japan, highlighted her promising talent.
India's women's singles champion expressed her joy at the historic victory, marking a significant milestone for Indian badminton at the Asian Team Championships. The triumph sparked celebrations in India, with the team now setting their sights on continued success in future competitions.
The 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships witnessed China's dominant display as they claimed the title, while Malaysia faced setbacks in their title defense bid. India's historic triumph on the women's team front highlighted the emergence of young talent and showcased the nation's growing prowess in international badminton competitions.