Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M.Thinaah remain medal contenders for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, although national women’s doubles coach Rosman Razak admits it will be a difficult challenge.
The Asian Games will take place in Japan from 19th September to 4th October with the world No.5 pair hoping to win their first medal at the Games.
Pearly has been dealing with a recurring back injury since April, and the pair have struggled to return to their best form. Their strongest recent result was finishing runners-up at the Taiwan Open last month, while they suffered last-16 exits at the World Championships in New Delhi and the China Masters.
It is a different position from last year, when Pearly and Thinaah produced an impressive run to win silver at the 2025 World Championships in Paris. Speaking at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara, Rosman said the pair are capable of challenging for a medal when they are at their best.
“Everyone knows what Pearly-Thinaah are capable of. At their best, I think they are definitely medal contenders,” he said.
However, Rosman said Pearly’s return from injury, along with the pair’s recent drop in confidence, has made the journey more difficult. Training will now focus on helping them regain their rhythm and self-belief.
Despite their recent results, he remains encouraged by their motivation and partnership, saying the pair have not given up. Rosman also pointed to the unpredictable nature of women’s doubles, with South Korea’s Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee recently defeating China’s world No.1 Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning on their way to the world title.
For Pearly-Thinaah, a podium finish would be Malaysia’s first Asian Games women’s doubles medal since Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei won bronze at luncheon 2014.
The draw will be released on 24th September, and as the fifth-ranked pair, Pearly and Thinaah could meet one of the top four pair in the quarter-finals. Rosman, however, is more focused on their form than their potential opponents.
Sources: NST
