KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 — Malaysia’s experimental strategy in the men’s doubles department is yielding results after the pair of Tee Kai Wun-Yap Roy King emerged champions at the Korea Masters 2026 at Asan Yi Sun-sin Gymnasium today.

The pair secured the title in their first-ever final together, defeating fellow Malaysians Man Wei Chong-Soh Wooi Yik in straight sets, 21-13, 21-18, in just 31 minutes.

This marks the second time Malaysia has won the Korea Masters title since 2024, when the title was won by the pairing of Wooi Yik and Aaron Chia.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) recent move to reshuffle the national men’s doubles squad involved breaking up established partnerships to find more potent combinations ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualifiers next year.

Under the new “scratch pair” trial, players who were long-term partners found themselves on opposite sides of the net or with new teammates, with Kai Wun and Wei Chong among those split up after previously partnering each other regularly.

Meanwhile, Wooi Yik previously partnered Aaron while Roy King was formerly paired with Wan Arif Wan Junaidi. — Bernama