Badminton Asia Championships 2026: Loh Kean Yew survives Watanabe Koki challenge, moves into last eight
Singapore's 2021 world champion comes out ahead in three over his Japanese opponent after a punishing 1 hour, 11 minutes in Ningbo, People's Republic of China.
Loh Kean Yew outlasted Japan’s Watanabe Koki in a 1 hour, 11 minute marathon to reach the men’s quarter-finals of the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 on Thursday (9 April).
The 2021 world champion from Singapore had to go the distance against Watanabe, who he has a losing record of 3-2 against, progressing by the skin of his teeth 22-20, 15-21, 21-15.
Loh will face Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien-chen in the last eight in Ningbo, People’s Republic of China, where home crowd favourite and the second-seeded Shi Yuqi overpowered Lee Cheuk Yiu 21-11, 21-10.
World No. 1 and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn had to fight off a tenacious Tanaka Yushi to advance in three, the Thai top seed coming from behind to win 8-21, 21-18, 21-5 in almost an hour.
Third-seeded Jonatan Christie dispatched Okimoto Yudai in straight sets, 21-18, 21-13 and will face Ayush Shetty of India for a place in the semi-finals.
Women’s world No. 1 An Seyoung breezed past Nguyen Thuy Linh 21-7, 21-6 in half an hour while world champion Yamaguchi Akane was as efficient, dropping Busanan Ongbamrungphan in 32 minutes 21-12, 21-12.
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