In a massive blow to Malaysian badminton, reigning mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei have been forced to withdraw from the upcoming Indonesia Open 2026.

The sudden exit comes after the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) confirmed that Ee Wei suffered a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee.

The devastating injury occurred last Friday during the pair’s quarter-final clash against India’s Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto at the Singapore Open.

Tang Jie and Ee Wei were leading 18-16 in the opening game when Ee Wei twisted her knee, leaving her unable to continue and forcing the Malaysian duo into a painful retirement.

A Crucial Waiting Game

A subsequent MRI assessment on Monday afternoon officially confirmed the partial ACL tear. While the national body’s medical team has yet to lock down a definitive recovery timeline, a non-surgical rehabilitation route could sideline the 25-year-old for anywhere between three to six months.

“Ee Wei is scheduled to undergo a follow-up MRI assessment next Friday, after which BAM’s medical team will determine the next course of treatment and rehabilitation,” BAM stated in an official release.

Major Championships in Jeopardy

The timing of the injury could not be worse for the world-class pair. Having made history last year as the first Malaysian mixed doubles pair to claim a world title by defeating China’s Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin, their upcoming title defence is now in serious jeopardy.

If the three-to-six-month recovery projection holds true, Ee Wei is highly likely to miss the World Championships in New Delhi, India, scheduled for August 17–23.

Furthermore, the duo’s participation in the highly anticipated Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya this September remains under a massive cloud of uncertainty.

The badminton community now awaits next Friday’s crucial follow-up scan, keeping fingers crossed for a speedy and smooth recovery for one of Malaysia’s brightest sports stars.