In a significant achievement for Chinese badminton, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang clinched the silver medal in the men’s doubles event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The duo reached the final, marking China’s first appearance in the men’s doubles final at the Asian Games in 36 years, a feat last accomplished by Li Yongbo and Tian Bingyi, who won gold in 1990 at the Beijing Asian Games.
Liang and Wang, who entered the competition as the reigning world champions after their victory at the World Championships in August, faced a tough final against Indonesia’s Daniel Marthin and Leo Rolly Carnando. The Chinese team started strong, winning the opening game 21-19. However, the Indonesian pair rallied, taking the second game 21-13 and narrowly securing the gold medal with a 21-18 victory in the decisive third game.
Despite the loss, the Chinese duo’s performance was notable. They had previously defeated Indonesian opponents in both the Asian Games men’s team final and the men’s doubles semifinal, underscoring their competitive prowess on the court. Wang expressed determination to continue striving for gold in future major competitions, indicating their focus remains on achieving the highest honors in upcoming events.
China’s overall performance in badminton at the Asian Games was commendable, with the nation securing two gold medals in the women’s team event and mixed doubles. In addition to the silver medal in men’s doubles, China also claimed silver in the men’s team and women’s doubles events, showcasing the depth of talent in their badminton squad.