SEA Games Tan-Thinaah: End 10-Year Wait for Malaysia’s Women’s Doubles Gold

Sea Games Tan-Thinaah

KUALA LUMPUR | MALAYSIA DEC 16, 2025

PHNOM PENH — Malaysia’s Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah captured the country’s first SEA Games women’s doubles badminton gold medal in 10 years on Tuesday, delivering a landmark victory for Malaysian badminton at the regional multi-sport event.

The Malaysian pair produced a composed performance in the final to secure the title, ending a decade-long gold drought in the women’s doubles category. The result marked one of Malaysia’s standout achievements in badminton at the ongoing SEA Games.

“We stayed focused point by point and trusted each other on court,” Tan said after the match. “This gold medal means a lot to us and to Malaysian badminton.”

Thinaah credited preparation and teamwork for the victory, saying consistency throughout the tournament played a key role.

“We’ve been working towards this for a long time,” she said. “Winning gold at the SEA Games is very special, especially knowing how long Malaysia has waited for this result.”

Tan and Thinaah progressed steadily through the tournament, showing strong defensive discipline and controlled attacking play against a series of challenging opponents. In the final, they managed key moments effectively to keep their advantage and close out the match.

The gold medal is Malaysia’s first in the women’s doubles event since 10 years ago, a period during which regional rivals dominated the category. The win is expected to boost confidence within Malaysia’s women’s doubles setup and strengthen the team’s overall campaign at the Games.

National coaches praised the pair’s composure under pressure and their ability to execute tactics in crucial situations.

“This victory reflects their maturity and development as a combination,” a team official said. “They handled the expectations well and delivered when it mattered most.”

The success adds to Malaysia’s medal tally in badminton and reinforces the sport’s importance to the country’s SEA Games ambitions. Several more badminton events remain, with Malaysia aiming to build momentum following the breakthrough gold.

Tan and Thinaah said they hope the achievement will inspire younger players back home.

“We want this win to motivate the next generation,” Tan said. “It shows that with patience and hard work, results will come.”

SEAGAMES Badminton Double Gold

The achievement marks a major breakthrough for Malaysia in women’s doubles at the SEA Games, with the last gold medal in the event coming 10 years ago. Since then, Malaysia has faced stiff competition from regional rivals, making the latest victory particularly meaningful.

Officials and teammates praised Tan and Thinaah for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the result reflects long-term development efforts within Malaysia’s badminton program. The win also contributes positively to Malaysia’s overall medal tally at the SEA Games.