Lee Chong Wei salutes Zi Yu-Genevie, Pearly-Thinaah after historic badminton weekend

Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei also congratulated men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, describing their final defeat in Odense as a glorious defeat. — Bernama pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Monday, 19 Oct 2026 3:50 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 — Badminton great Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei has congratulated World Junior champions Low Zi Yu and Genevie Lim, as well as Denmark Open winners Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, saying their achievements have made Malaysia proud and inspired the next generation.

The former world No. 1 also urged national players who fell short this past week to remain confident.

“To all our Malaysian players who fought hard this week, whether you won or lost, keep your heads high and never lose confidence. Keep believing, keep fighting, and your moment will come,” he said in a social media post today.

Lee also congratulated men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, describing their final defeat in Odense as a glorious defeat.

“Keep fighting! Malaysia is behind all of you!” he said.

In the final at Cairo International Stadium, second seeds Low and Lim defeated Japan’s Nijika Kamata and Shizuku Kashio 15-7, 9-15, 15-12 on Saturday, becoming the first Malaysian pair to win the girls’ doubles title at the World Junior Championships since the event was introduced in 1992.

Low had reached three consecutive World Junior Championships finals with a different partner each year, while her partnership with Lim was formed only four months ago.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had also congratulated the pair, saying: “Syabas (well done), keep up the momentum and continue to make Malaysia proud!”

A day later, Tan and Thinaah beat Japan’s Hinata Suzuki and Nao Yamakita 21-18, 21-11 in the Denmark Open final, ending Malaysia’s 18-year wait for the women’s doubles title since Wong Pei Tty and Chin Eei Hui won it in 2008.

It was their second title of 2026, following their victory at the Indonesia Masters in January.

Aaron and Wooi Yik had stunned world No. 1 pair Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae of South Korea 21-14, 21-18 in the semi-finals, but lost 8-21, 11-21 to Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in a 31-minute final.

Odense was the former world champions’ first tournament since reuniting after a brief spell with different partners, and their second consecutive final after finishing runners-up at the World Championships in India in August. — Bernama