Malaysia’s professional men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani saw their hopes of qualifying for the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou next month officially come to an end after falling in the semi-finals of the Kumamoto Masters earlier today.
The world No. 4 Malaysian duo were unable to overcome Japan’s world No. 29 pair Hiroki Midorikawa–Kyohei Yamashita, losing 12–21, 17–21 in a 38-minute contest at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium.
The defeat means Sze Fei–Izzuddin failed to secure the crucial ranking points they desperately needed to stay in the hunt for a World Tour Finals berth.
Ranked 7th on the World Tour standings entering the tournament, Sze Fei–Izzuddin needed nothing less than the Kumamoto Masters title and the Australian Open title next week to overtake their national rivals Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun, who currently sit 3rd in the standings.
As a result, Wei Chong–Kai Wun, despite an early first-round exit in Kumamoto, have officially secured qualification for the World Tour Finals for the first time in their careers, maintaining their spot as Malaysia’s second-best pair for the season.
Malaysia Men’s Doubles in BWF World Tour Finals 2025 will now be represented by: Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik – Already qualified as world No. 2, and Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun – Qualified as Malaysia’s second pair
Only the Top 8 players or pairs in each category qualify, with a maximum of two pairs per country — a rule that ultimately shut the door on Sze Fei–Izzuddin.
Sze Fei–Izzuddin began the tournament with hopes high and momentum strong, but the consistent defence and fast-paced attacking play of Midorikawa–Yamashita proved too much. Despite a late push in the second game, the Malaysians could not regain control.
Their defeat marks a disappointing close to their 2025 World Tour Finals bid — a campaign where they showed flashes of top-tier brilliance but fell short at critical junctures.
Credit Photo : SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP
