Malaysia’s women’s doubles badminton has entered uncharted territory. National shuttlers Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah etched their names into history by becoming the country’s first-ever women’s doubles pair to secure a medal at the 2025 Badminton World Championships in Paris.
The world No. 2 duo produced a commanding performance in today’s quarter-final at the Adidas Arena, storming past Bulgarian sisters Gabriela Stoeva and Stefani Stoeva with a straight-game victory, 21-15, 21-10. The win guarantees them at least a bronze medal, as the tournament does not stage playoffs for third place.
Their achievement not only breaks a decades-long drought in women’s doubles but also fuels hope for an even greater prize — the possibility of delivering Malaysia’s first-ever gold medal in this discipline at the prestigious world meet.
“This moment is truly special for us and for Malaysia. We’ve worked very hard for it,” said Pearly, reflecting on the breakthrough win that erased the heartbreak of last year’s quarter-final exit in Copenhagen.
The path forward, however, promises to be even more demanding. In the semi-finals, Pearly-Thinaah will face the formidable Japanese duo Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida, who dispatched South Korea’s Kim Hye Jeong-Kong Hee Yong 21-17, 21-14 in their own quarter-final clash.
Credit Photo : BERNAMA
