Pearly Tan-Thinaah end Malaysia’s 12-year wait for Asian Games women’s doubles medal

Malaysia’s women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah celebrate after defeating India’s Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly in the quarter-finals of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games at Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium in Nagoya, September 27, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Sunday, 27 Sep 2026 12:07 PM MYT

NAGOYA, Sept 27 — National women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah ended Malaysia’s 12-year wait for an Asian Games medal in the event by advancing to the semi-finals at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.

Their 21-18, 21-9 victory over the Indian pair, Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly, in the quarter-finals at Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium today guaranteed the world number five pair at least a bronze medal.

This medal will mark Malaysia’s first in the Asian Games women’s doubles event since Vivian Hoo and Woon Khe Wei won bronze at the 2014 Incheon Games.

However, for Pearly and Thinaah, this achievement comes after a challenging few months, including injury issues faced by Pearly that repeatedly forced her to take breaks and undergo rehabilitation.

Malaysia’s women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah in action against India in the quarter-finals of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games at Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium in Nagoya, September 27, 2026. — Bernama pic

“That [2014 medal] certainly serves as a morale booster, but we aren’t dwelling on it too much. Over the past few weeks, we’ve just focused on ourselves and each other.

“We want to give our best and have no regrets,” Thinaah said when met.

Pearly said they are adopting a step-by-step approach and do not want to look too far ahead regarding their chances of reaching the final.

“Of course, everyone wants to reach the final, but we are taking it one match at a time. Tomorrow’s semi-final won’t be easy, and we remain the underdogs, as always.

“We are carrying the feelings and momentum we’ve built since the first match into every game,” she said.

Regarding tomorrow’s semi-final match, Thinaah said they need to prepare thoroughly, as they are scheduled to face the top-seeded Chinese pair, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan.

She said they do not want to dwell on their opponents’ reputation; instead, they will review their own playing style before discussing it with each other and the coaching team.

“For now, we will have discussions among ourselves and with the coach regarding the game and everything else. The most important thing is to get good rest, sleep, and nutrition, and to recover well for tomorrow’s match,” she said. — Bernama