KUCHING: History is written in Paris — and it bears the names of Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah.
The Malaysian No. 1 women’s doubles pair smashed through the glass ceiling of world badminton today, becoming the first-ever Malaysian women’s doubles to win a medal at the BWF World Championships.
On a charged Friday battle at the Adidas Arena, the world No. 2 duo dismantled Bulgaria’s Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva 21-15, 21-10 in just 32 minutes — a victory that guarantees them at least bronze and ends decades of waiting for a breakthrough in the discipline.
This is more than a win. It is a statement. It is Pearly–Thinaah planting the Jalur Gemilang firmly on the women’s doubles map, pushing Malaysian badminton into new territory.
Their reward? A semi-final clash against Japan’s world No. 3, Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida, where the chance to upgrade bronze to silver, or perhaps gold, awaits.
Rising to world No. 2 this season and crowned champions in Thailand, Pearly–Thinaah are no longer just contenders.
They are trailblazers — and now, World Championships medallists.
