The Malaysian men’s singles campaign at the 2025 BWF World Championships has come to a disappointing close, leaving fans dejected after both representatives were eliminated in the early rounds. The final hope, Leong Jun Hao, was defeated in a grueling second-round match that brought the nation’s challenge in the category to an end.
Jun Hao, the sole Malaysian to advance past the preliminary round, put up a brave and thrilling fight against Japan’s 14th seed, Kenta Nishimoto. The match, which lasted an epic 89 minutes, was a testament to both players’ grit and determination.
After a solid start that saw him claim the first game 21-17, Jun Hao found himself on the back foot as Nishimoto leveled the match by winning the second game 21-13. The deciding third game was a nail-biter, a true “winner takes all” battle that went into extra points. Despite his valiant effort, Jun Hao ultimately fell to the Japanese shuttler with a narrow score of 23-25, sealing his exit from the tournament.
This result follows the earlier and more surprising exit of Malaysia’s other representative, Lee Zii Jia. The national star, who was expected to lead the charge, was shockingly eliminated in the preliminary round by South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-jin. Lee, a fan favorite and a major contender on the international circuit, was unable to find his rhythm, losing in straight games with a score of 17-21, 11-21.
The collective early exit for both players is a significant blow to Malaysia’s aspirations in the men’s singles event. Coming into the tournament with only two representatives, the team was hoping for a deep run from at least one of its players.
While Jun Hao’s performance against a seeded opponent showed immense fighting spirit, the overall outcome has left a void in the men’s singles bracket for the Malaysian contingent. The focus will now shift to other categories as the country’s badminton fans look for redemption and better results from their remaining players in the tournament.