Kai Wun sets sights on top 10 return after reunion

KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton player Tee Kai Wun aims for his doubles partnership with Man Wei Chong to return to the world's top 10, despite the time constraints in the current season. The duo, currently ranked No. 12, will team up at the Denmark Open following a temporary partnership with Aaron Chia at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. With only six tournaments left in the Super 500-750 range this year, Kai Wun admitted that re-establishing their top 10 status would require patience after missing several competitions.

"We hope to get back into the top 10. We were usually in the top 10 or top eight, but it will take time because we missed many tournaments," Kai Wun said after a training session. With limited time remaining in the season, the 26-year-old emphasized focusing on personal performance improvements rather than setting lofty goals. He also downplayed the significance of their reunion, noting that they last competed together at the World Championships in August.

The pair's ranking has slipped to No. 12 since their disrupted season, which included national men's doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi experimenting with various combinations. Kai Wun and Wei Chong will compete in the opening round of the Denmark Open against Denmark's Christian Faust Kjaer and Rasmus Kjaer on Tuesday.