Malaysia's mixed doubles campaign got off to a flying start at the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) 2026 in Ningbo, China. Reigning world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei led the charge, dispatching Japan’s Haruki Kawabe and Kokona Ishikawa in just 36 minutes with a score of 21-10, 21-19. Their clinical performance sets a strong tone for the national squad as they aim for continental glory. 

The "husband-and-wife" duo of Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai also secured their spot in the second round after defeating India's Rohan Kapoor and Gadde Ruthvika Shivani 21-13, 21-19. Meanwhile, independent pair Wong Tien Ci and Lim Chiew Sen completed the triple victory for Malaysia by overcoming another Indian pair, Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh. This clean sweep in the opening round highlights the depth of Malaysia's mixed doubles talent on the regional stage. 

Despite the success in mixed doubles, the men's singles category saw a setback as Leong Jun Hao's recent struggles continued. He was knocked out in the early stages, further complicating national team selections for the upcoming Thomas Cup. The coaching staff is now under pressure to finalize the squad as star player Lee Zii Jia remains a doubtful participant for the team event.