Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei’s world title a boost for Tangkis 30

The story of Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei is one of remarkable resilience and triumph. In just five months, they have gone from the heartbreak of a bitter breakup to becoming world champions, securing Malaysia’s second-ever gold medal at the BWF World Championships in Paris, France, today.

Malaysia’s only other world title came via Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in Tokyo, Japan, in 2022.

Chen-Toh’s stunning 21-15, 21-14 victory over China’s Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin was a glorious gift to the nation, which is celebrating its 68th Merdeka (independence day).

However, Malaysia’s hopes of securing a second title were dashed as Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah fell short in the women’s doubles final, when they lost 14-21, 22-20, 17-21 to world No. 1 pair Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning of China in 82 minutes.

Despite the defeat, Tan-Thinaah is the first women’s pair from Malaysia to win a medal at the World Championships.

The gold and silver medals will bolster Tangkis 30, the newly unveiled plan by Badminton Association of Malaysia president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, designed to restore Malaysia’s status as a dominant badminton nation by 2030.

Its goals include winning the Thomas Cup, clinching medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and producing world No. 1 players.

Three-time Olympic silver medallist Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei has been appointed as an independent council member to oversee athlete performance and welfare.

Under the blueprint, BAM intends to collaborate more with states, schools, universities, clubs, and academies, and recruit players from a younger age, rather than starting at 16 as it currently does.

Children watching the finals today will surely be inspired to reach the heights achieved by the national doubles players.

Chen and Toh’s dominant performance over their Chinese rivals moved Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to say on X: “National Day Gift for Malaysia! Congratulations to the national mixed doubles pair, Chen Tang Jie–Toh Ee Wei, for their impressive achievement at the 2025 BWF World Badminton Championships. Thank you for working hard to bring glory to the country.”

Chen and Toh’s win was marvellous and unexpected. The pair split up after the All-England Open in March, and shortly after, Toh deleted all photos of Tang from her Instagram account.

However, their bitter break lasted three weeks, and the pair, known as the ‘Gangster Duo’ for their aggressive playing style, flamboyant hairstyles and Chen’s tattoos, reunited on court for the Sudirman Cup at the end of April. There has been no looking back since.

Under the guidance of Indonesian legend Nova Widianto – a world mixed doubles champion in 2005 with Liliyana Natsir – Chen and Toh have soared to No. 4 in the world rankings.

Malaysia’s previous best mixed doubles result at the World Championships was Koo Kien Keat and Wong Pei Tty’s bronze in Madrid, Spain, in 2006.

Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei’s path to glory

First round: Bye

Second round: bt Rohan Kapoor-Ruthvika Shivani Gadde (India) 21-16, 21-11.

Third round: bt Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu (Indonesia) 14-21, 21-19, 21-17.

Quarterfinals: bt Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto (India) 21-15, 21-13.

Semifinals: bt Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue (France) 21-18, 21-16.

Final: bt Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin (China) 21-15, 21-14.

Main image: Chen (left) and Toh, kiss the national flag on their jerseys while holding their BWF World Championships trophies.