Ahmad Redzuan and Low Zi Yu reach mixed doubles final at Asia Junior Championships after thrilling win over Taiwan.
AHMAD Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal and Low Zi Yu have emerged as Malaysia’s final hope for glory after storming into the mixed doubles final of the 2026 Asia Junior Championships (Individual) in Yatsushiro, Japan, today.
The second-seeded duo secured their place in the title decider with a hard-fought victory over Taiwan’s seventh seeds, Sheng Ming Lin and Liang Ching Sun, winning 21-16, 23-25, 21-10 in a 53-minute thriller at the Yatsushiro City General Gymnasium.
The win marked a significant milestone for the Malaysians, as it was the first time the two pairs had ever met on the international stage.
Ahmad Redzuan and Zi Yu are now set to face China’s Wei Gang Zheng and Li Meng Han in tomorrow’s final for the continental crown.
The Chinese pair advanced in commanding fashion, brushing aside compatriots Qi Rui Sun and Dan Yang with a clinical 21-12, 21-15 victory in just 34 minutes.
It will be another step into the unknown for the Malaysian pair, as they have also never faced the Wei Gang–Meng Han combination before.
Earlier in the day, however, Zi Yu’s hopes of a historic double final appearance were cruelly dashed in the women’s doubles semi-finals.
Partnering Genevie Lim in the WD-U19 category, the Malaysian duo were forced to concede defeat to second-seeded home favourites Aoi Banno and Yuzu Ueno of Japan, despite taking the first set 21-16.
The Malaysians, however, could not sustain their momentum, as the Japanese pair rallied to claim the next two sets 21-17, 21-17 in a grueling marathon that lasted one hour and 18 minutes.
Though they missed out on a spot in the final, the Badminton Association of Malaysia confirmed that the pair will bring home a bronze medal.
