Kong Hee Yong’s return to competitive badminton following a right knee surgery culminated in a dream title, with the women’s doubles final among the most dramatic in recent times.

Kong was out of action after the Badminton Asia Team Championships in February for the knee surgery and rehab; the world No.8 making a return with Kim Hye Jeong only at the DAIHATSU Japan Open 2026. The high point of the return was in the final game against Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian, which went the Koreans’ way, 14-21 21-15 30-29. The see-sawing final game saw either side have six match points before Zhang Shu Xian blew a kill just wide, and the Koreans collapsing in a flood of emotions.

“I didn’t think I could reach the final after my surgery,” said Kong. “I want to thank Kim, she helped me a lot here, and I’m so happy with this title.”

With the final stretch of the third game featuring brilliant winners as well as errors from both sides, Kim said the key was to shut out the mistakes they had made.

“We made a lot of mistakes, but we just had to put in in the past and try not to repeat them.”

Highlights

» While Kim/Kong celebrated their first title of the year, their compatriots Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae’s recent woes continued as they fell 21-19 21-17 to Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri. The world No.1, title record-setters in 2025, have now gone three tournaments without winning, while their opponents achieved their first since the China Open last year.

» Mixed doubles saw top seeds Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping hold off a strong challenge from Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet, 21-14 14-21 21-15, to win their second title in a row.

What They Said

“We just need to improve a lot. From every match we need to learn. So this is a learning experience.” – Muhammad Shohibul Fikri

“It’s not that we did something special. We know each others’ game. I think we were just more solid than them today.” – Fajar Alfian

→Results