China and Korea Impress as Badminton Tournament Opens in Bahrain

TDT | Manama | Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

The Asian Youth Games badminton tournament kicked off yesterday at Isa Sports City’s Hall D, launching with a full day of mixed doubles and singles action across four courts. China and Korea quickly set the pace, delivering confident early performances that signaled their intent to dominate the competition.

On Court 1, Korea’s Jeong Da Hwan and Kim Han Bi produced one of the day’s standout results by upsetting China’s Qiu Haoyan and Li Yue Yu in straight games. Nearby, Hong Kong’s Cheung Sai Shing and Chu Wing Chi edged Taiwan’s Lee Yu-jui and Wen Shu-Yu in a close three-game mixed doubles match. Despite the early loss, China rebounded strongly elsewhere, with Xu Ji Ning and Luo Jing Yu advancing comfortably in Boys’ Singles, while Yin Yi Qing powered through two decisive Girls’ Singles victories on Court 4.

India and Indonesia soon joined the frontrunners. On Court 2, India’s Suryaksh Rawat impressed with back-to-back straight-game wins over Md Raisul Raj (BAN) and Huang Jyun-Kai (TPE) to reach the Boys’ Singles quarterfinals. Indonesia also had a strong showing as Bjorn Jaison and Angel Punera advanced in Mixed Doubles, and Maharishiel Gain registered key wins on Courts 3 and 4 to stay alive in the draw.

Hosts Bahrain faced tough early opposition but showed determination on home soil. Fatima Hasan fell 21–4, 21–2 to Thailand’s Ketklieng Yataweemin, and Sayed Hasan was edged out 21–18, 21–14 by Cheung Sai Shing (HKG). Though both were eliminated, their efforts reflected the growing exposure of Bahrain’s young players to high-level continental competition.

With early rounds completed, attention now turns to the next stage, where powerhouses China, Korea, India, and Indonesia look to maintain momentum in their pursuit of podium finishes.