‘This was just a Super 300’: Malaysian shuttler Yap Roy King hungry for more after Korea Masters triumph

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 — Malaysia's Yap Roy King and partner Tee Kai Wun triumphed at the 2026 Korea Masters men's doubles tournament, but Roy King insists this victory is merely a stepping stone towards greater accomplishments. He described the win as a catalyst, emphasizing that their real challenge lies in competing against top-tier shuttlers in the Super 500, 750, and 1000 tournaments.

According to Roy King, achieving success in these higher-level events is their ultimate goal. The duo secured a swift 21-13, 21-18 victory over their Malaysian counterparts Soh Wooi Yik-Man and Wei Chong in just 31 minutes, defeating them despite recent first-round exits in the China Open and Taiwan Open. Roy King acknowledged the unexpected nature of their triumph, reflecting on their poor performance in the two tournaments preceding Korea Masters.

He credited their partnership's success to constant communication and additional training time together, highlighting their improved understanding of each other's playing style. Their victory marks the third attempt at winning the tournament, seen as a positive start for their emerging partnership. The Badminton Association of Malaysia has implemented a new strategy, focusing on revamping their men's doubles department in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers.