Denmark Open 2026: Chia-Soh Topple Defending Champions

Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik delivered the standout result of Malaysia's Round of 32 campaign at the VICTOR Denmark Open 2026, knocking out reigning champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi of Japan in a three-game thriller. It was a mixed day overall for the national shuttlers: two wins, three defeats.

The Olympic bronze medallists drew first blood, taking the opening game 21-19 against a pair who lifted the men's doubles trophy in Odense last year. Hoki-Kobayashi hit back to level the match at 21-14, but Aaron-Soh found another gear in the decider and cruised home 21-11 to book their place in the second round.

Beating the defending champions at this stage will boost the Malaysian pair's confidence heading into the next round, and send a clear signal to the rest of the men's doubles field.

In mixed doubles, Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing booked their spot in the next round in straight games. The Malaysians beat Spain's Ruben Garcia and Lucia Rodriguez 21-18, 21-16, controlling the key points in both games to advance without dropping a set.

The other Malaysian mixed doubles pair were not as fortunate. Wong Tien Ci and Lim Chiew Sien edged the first game 21-19 against Chinese Taipei's Ye Hong Wei and Nicole Gonzales Chan, but lost the next two, 16-21 and 19-21, to bow out in a closely fought contest.

In men's singles, Leong Jun Hao was overwhelmed in the opening game, losing 6-21 to Japan's Koki Watanabe. He showed more fight in the second game but still fell short, 19-21.

In women's singles, K. Letshanaa faced a similar story against Denmark's Line Christophersen, the home favourite. The Malaysian lost the first game 5-21, then fought back to 18-21 in the second but could not force a decider.

Both singles players struggled to get into the match early on, only to find their rhythm after the first game, a pattern the coaching staff will no doubt look into.

Credit Photo : SBA