Thai shuttler Kunlavut Vitidsarn wins his maiden BWF Super 1000 title at the Malaysia Open after Shi Yu Qi retires, receiving the trophy from idol Lee Chong Wei.
KUALA LUMPUR: Thai shuttler Kunlavut Vitidsarn celebrated a perfect ending at the Malaysia Open 2026 by winning his first-ever BWF Super 1000 title.
He received the trophy from his idol, Malaysian badminton legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei, at the Axiata Arena.
The victory came after his opponent, China’s Shi Yu Qi, retired while trailing 21-23, 1-6 due to a back injury.
“I feel very happy (to win the Malaysia Open). Yu Qi is top class and I wish him speedy recovery,” Kunlavut said.
The 2023 world champion also thanked Chong Wei for his advice on controlling matters on and off the court.
This was Kunlavut’s first Super 1000 final since his debut at this level in 2020.
In the women’s singles, South Korea’s world number one An Se Young clinched a hat-trick of Malaysia Open titles.
She mounted a remarkable comeback in the second set to defeat China’s Wang Zhi Yi 21-15, 24-22 in a 56-minute encounter.
The win marked Se Young’s 17th victory over Zhi Yi in their head-to-head meetings.
China dominated the doubles events, with Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning winning the women’s doubles title.
The pair defeated South Korea’s Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee 21-18, 21-12.
China also clinched the mixed doubles title through Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping.
They defeated compatriots Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin 21-19, 21-19.
The singles champion received a prize purse of US$101,500 (RM415,490.25).
The doubles champions each received US$107,300 (RM439,232.55).
