Paris, France – August 31, 2025 – While the gold medal may have eluded them, Malaysia’s dynamic women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, have secured a place in the hearts of a nation with their courageous performance at the 2025 BWF World Championships final in Paris.
In a thrilling and hard-fought match, the second-seeded Malaysians fell just short of the title, losing 21-14, 20-22, 21-17 to China’s top-seeded duo, Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning. Despite the narrow defeat, the silver medal marks a historic achievement, making them the first Malaysian women’s doubles pair to ever reach a World Championships final.
The final at the Adidas Arena was a roller-coaster of emotions and a testament to the fighting spirit of both pairs. After a shaky start saw them lose the first set 21-14, Pearly and Thinaah, known for their never-say-die attitude, mounted a fierce comeback. The second set was a nail-biting affair, with the Malaysians refusing to surrender. They displayed incredible grit and determination, forcing a tense decider with a thrilling 22-20 win. Their raw power and flashes of brilliance had fans on the edge of their seats, daring to dream of a second gold for Malaysia on National Day.
However, the Chinese pair, who held a commanding 9-3 head-to-head record and were on an impressive 19-match unbeaten streak, showed their class and pedigree in the final set. Shengshu and Tan Ning demonstrated why they are the top-ranked pair in the world, with their impeccable defense and tactical play ultimately proving too strong to overcome. They closed out the match 21-17, but not before Pearly and Thinaah had left everything on the court.
The silver medal is the latest and most significant milestone in the remarkable journey of Pearly and Thinaah since they were paired in 2019. Their rise has been meteoric, from their quarter-final finish in the 2023 World Championships to breaking into the world’s top two this year. Their courageous run in Paris, which coincided with Malaysia’s Merdeka week, has captivated the nation, solidifying their status as trailblazers for Malaysian women’s badminton.
While they missed out on matching the gold won by their mixed doubles teammates, Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, the day will be remembered as a monumental one for Malaysian badminton. With one gold and one silver, the nation celebrated its best-ever haul at the World Championships.
Pearly and Thinaah’s historic silver medal, a first for Malaysia in women’s doubles, stands as a testament to their dedication and the growing strength of the sport in the country. Their performance has not only set a new benchmark for future generations but has also won them the admiration of fans who recognize that true champions are not just defined by gold, but by the courage and heart they show in the face of adversity.