KUALA LUMPUR: China and Indonesia, the top two seeded nations for the men's team competition, have opted to rest their key players for the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Shah Alam from Feb 13-18.
First seeds China, absent from the previous two editions, will compete at the Setia Alam Convention Centre with a modest squad of Weng Hong Yang and doubles pair He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu, both holding the world No. 16 rankings in their respective events, as their highest-ranked members.
Their list remarkably lacks prominent figures such as world No. 2 Shi Yu Qi and No. 3 Li Shi Feng, while the men's doubles department sees the absences of Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang (No. 2) and Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi (No. 8).
Three-time champions Indonesia followed suit, fielding a back-up squad that notably excluded two of their top singles players, Anthony Ginting (No. 5) and Jonatan Christie (No. 9).
In their absences, the responsibility of leading the singles category falls to world No. 30 Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo, while the recently crowned Indonesia Masters champions, Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin, will spearhead the doubles charge.
However, fans can still anticipate exciting matches as teams like India, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea are entering the competition with nearly full-strength line-ups.
India, in particular, underlined their seriousness with seven members from their Thomas Cup-winning team, led by H. S. Prannoy (No. 7) and formidable duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty (No. 1).
They will aim to maintain their momentum after securing the men's team silver at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where they valiantly went down 3-2 to China in the final.
Japan will be led by Kodai Naraoka (No. 6), and the possibility of two-time world champion Kento Momota assuming the third singles role adds to their strength.
While resting their top pair Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi (No. 6), Japan look promising in the first doubles with the pair of Akira Koga-Taichi Saito (No. 14).
South Korea will also field an almost complete squad, featuring reigning world champions Kang Min Hyuk-Seo Seung Jae.
The only notable absentee is Choi Sol Gyu, who formed the world No. 18 partnership with Kim Won Ho.
However, their prowess in the doubles department, as demonstrated in previous championships by mixing and matching combinations, should make up for the absence.
Taiwan, considered strong rivals for Malaysia in Group B, will be without their singles ace Chou Tien Chen. However, they should not be underestimated.
Lin Chun Yi, a semi-finalist in the Malaysia Open, will lead the singles category. The doubles roster will feature all three of their strongest combinations, with reigning Olympic champions Lee Yang-Wang Chi Lin leading the charge.
Hong Kong, with former national coaching director Wong Choong Hann serving as their men's singles coach, will rely on their star players Angus Ng and Lee Cheuk Yiu.
Thailand will miss reigning men's singles world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn. 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew will lead the Singapore side, adding prestige to the tournament.
TEAM LISTS:
China
Singles: Weng Hong Yang, Lu Guang Zu, Lei Lan Xi, Wang Zheng Xing.
Doubles: He Ji Ting, Ren Xiang Yu, Chen Bo Yang, Liu Yi, Xie Hao Nan, Zeng Wei Han.
Indonesia
Singles: Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo, Alvi Wijaya Chairullah, Aiwi Farhan, Yohanes Marcellyno.
Doubles: Leo Rolly Carnando, Daniel Marthin, Shobihul Fikri, Bagas Maulana, Yeremia Rambitan, Rahmat Hidayat.
Japan
Singles: Kodai Naraoka, Kenta Nishimoto, Kento Momota, Koki Watanabe.
Doubles: Akira Koga, Taichi Saito, Kenya Mitsuihashi, Hiroki Okamura, Naoki Yamada.
South Korea
Singles: Jeon Hyeok Jin, Lee Yun Gyu, Cho Geon Yeop, Jeong Min Seon, Seung Hoon Woo
Doubles: Seo Seung Jae, Kang Min Hyuk, Kim Won Ho, Jin Yong, Kim Dong Ju.
India
Singles: H.S. Prannoy, Lakhsya Sen, K. Srikanth, Chirag Sen.
Doubles: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, M.R. Arjun, Dhruv Kapila, K.R. Pruthvi, Suraj Goala.
Taiwan
Singles: Lin Chun Yi, Wang Tze Wei, Lee Chia Hao, Chi Yu Jen.
Doubles: Lee Yang, Wang Chi Lin, Lee Jhe Huei, Yang Po Hsuan, Lu Ching Yao, Yang Po Han.
Hong Kong
Singles: Angus Ng, Lee Cheuk Yiu, Jason Gunawan, Chan Yin Chak.
Doubles: Law Cheuk Him, Yeung Shing Choi, Hung Kuei Chun, Lui Chun Wai, Chow Hin Long.
Thailand
Singles: Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul, Puritat Arree, Tanawat Yimjit, Wongsup Wongsupin.
Doubles: Pharanyu Kaosamaang, Worrapol Thongsanga, Peeratchai Sukphun, Pakkapon Teeraratsakul, Tanadon Pupanich, Wachirawit Sothon.
Singapore
Singles: Loh Kean Yew, Jason Teh, Joel Koh, Marcus Lau
Doubles: Loh Kean Han, Johan Prajogo, Wesley Koh, Junsuke Kubo, Nge Joo Jin, Howin Wong.
