No fear as youngest shuttler Zi Yu eager to make her mark at Asiad

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 20, 2026

Sixteen-year-old Low Zi Yu will make her Asian Games debut as part of Malaysia’s women’s badminton team facing Hong Kong on September 20 for a quarter-final spot. This marks Malaysia’s return to the women’s team event since 2014, featuring a youthful lineup aiming to build on recent successes and advance further in the tournament.

Malaysia's youngest athlete, 16-year-old Low Zi Yu, is set to make her debut at the Asian Games as part of the women's badminton team competing against Hong Kong for a spot in the quarter-finals on September 20 at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium in Nagoya. Zi Yu will join teammates K. Letshanaa, Wong Ling Ching, Oo Shan Zi, Eng Ler Qi, Pearly Tan, M. Thinaah, Cheng Su Yin, Shevon Lai Jamie, and Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan in the pursuit of advancement in the tournament.

This marks Malaysia’s return to the women’s badminton team event at the Asian Games for the first time since 2014. The team features a relatively young lineup, with most players under the age of 22, and only Letshanaa, Pearly Tan-Thinaah, and Shevon Lai possessing prior Asian Games experience. Head coach Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin emphasized the importance of seizing the opportunity to build on recent progress, recalling Malaysia’s quarter-final finish at the Uber Cup in Horsens earlier this year—the nation’s first in 16 years.

“I think this is a good opportunity for them. Four years ago, our women’s singles were not doing too well, but we have improved in recent times and I hope they can take their chances here,” said Iskandar. He also highlighted the inclusion of two young players, Oo Shan Zi and Eng Ler Qi, both under 19, as part of the effort to develop emerging talent through valuable exposure at major tournaments.

Malaysia and Hong Kong last met in the Asian Games women’s team event during the 2010 Guangzhou Games, when Malaysia secured a 3-1 victory to reach the quarter-finals. Hong Kong, now coached by former Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann—supported by fellow Malaysians Tan Bin Shen, Jeremy Gan, and Loh Wei Sheng—will present a formidable challenge.

Only Tse Ying Suet remains from Hong Kong’s 2010 squad. Initially a singles player during the Guangzhou Games, Tse has since shifted focus to doubles and is likely to compete in the women’s doubles event for Hong Kong. The team has yet to advance beyond the opening round in recent Asian Games, including a first-round defeat to Taiwan at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, and will be aiming to break that pattern in the current competition.

The match between Malaysia and Hong Kong will be a crucial test for both sides as they seek to secure a place in the quarter-finals at the 2026 Asian Games.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.