Sarawak-born shuttler Ling Ching kicks off new season at Istora Senayan

KUCHING (Jan 21): Sarawak-born Wong Ling Ching, the rising star of Malaysia’s women singles, is all set for her first BWF World Tour competition in 2026 at the Indonesian Masters this week. The BWF Super 500 tournament at Jakarta’s famed Istora Senayan stadium will run until this Sunday.

The 22-year-old has scaled the world rankings from No. 90 to 44 since she joined the national squad to train full-time in Feb last year. Her rise through 2025 was highlighted by remarkable victories over higher world-ranked players.

She defeated Canada’s Michelle Li (World No.15) in the second round of the Japan Masters last November. She ended the year with two SEA Games bronze medals after beating Indonesia’s Gregoria Tunjung (World No.10) in the team event before stretching eventual singles champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand (World No.6 ) to three sets in the semi-finals.

On Tuesday, Ling Ching easily defeated Japan’s K. Sugiyama 21-9, 21-18 in 35 minutes in the qualifying round to enter the main draw of the Indonesian Masters.

She will now play Pitchamon Opatniputh in the first round today. Her opponent is no pushover as she is the 2023 world junior champion and a rising star in her own right. The 19-year-old Opatniputh, who stands a good 8cm taller than Ling Ching at 170cm, also enjoys a higher rank at No.36.