The 2026 BWF Malaysia Open delivered elite badminton as expected with brilliant performances and memorable moments, fully justifying its Super 1000 status. But before attention shifts to the upcoming 2026 BWF India Open, here are several notable facts and statistical highlights from Kuala Lumpur that stood out.
1) Historic Thai breakthrough in men’s singles
The circumstances surrounding the men’s singles final were far from ideal, with Shi Yu Qi forced to retire, but Kunlavut Vitidsarn’s victory was nonetheless historic. The Thai star ended a 63-year men’s singles title drought for Thailand at the Malaysia Open, becoming only the second Thai men’s singles champion in the tournament’s history after three-time winner Charoen Wattanasin.
2) Perfect men’s singles semi-final line-up
Men’s singles produced a statistical rarity at the Axiata Arena, as the top four seeds of Shi, Vitidsarn, Anders Antonsen and Jonatan Christie all progressed to the semi-finals. This outcome was far from common.
To put that into context, across 29 BWF World Tour tournaments in 2025, the top four seeds all reaching the semi-finals only happened nine times — six times in women’s singles, twice in women’s doubles and once in mixed doubles.
3) Chia/Soh end Malaysia’s wait for finals appearance
Although they finished runners-up to South Korea’s Kim Won-ho/Seo Seung-jae, Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik still had plenty to celebrate. They became the first Malaysian men’s doubles pair to reach the Malaysia Open finals since Goh V Shem/Lim Khim Wah lifted the title in 2014, and the first home representatives in the finals since Lee Chong Wei in 2018.
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4) Men’s doubles title defence unseen in over 30 years
Kim/Seo achieved a rare milestone by successfully defending their men’s doubles crown. They became the first men’s doubles pair to retain the Malaysia Open title since Indonesia’s Rexy Mainaky/Ricky Subagja did it in 1994.
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5) An Se-young join elite three-peat club
With her victory over Wang Zhi Yi, An Se-young secured her third consecutive Malaysia Open title, placing her among a select group of women’s singles champions to achieve the feat. The list includes Malaysia’s Tan Gaik Bee, Indonesia’s Susi Susanti, China’s Zhang Ning, Chinese Taipei’s Tai Tzu Ying and the legendary Cecilia Samuel, who remains unmatched with six straight titles in the 1950s.
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6) Malaysia Open emerges as ASY’s strongest venue
The Malaysia Open has arguably become An’s most favourite tournament. She has reached the final for four consecutive years, winning the title three times. Among BWF World Tour events, the only other tournament she has won on three occasions is the French Open, further underlining her exceptional consistency in Kuala Lumpur.
7) China’s long-running Malaysia Open streak continues
Victories by Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning (women’s doubles) and Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (mixed doubles) have extended China’s extraordinary record: the badminton powerhouse has now produced at least one champion at every Malaysia Open since 2010.
