A rising tide of talent in men's singles badminton has caught the attention of legendary coach Datuk Misbun Sidek, and he's urging Malaysia's shuttlers to step up their game.
Misbun, a former national coach, has been quietly observing emerging stars worldwide, and two towering figures have emerged: Singapore's Jason Teh and India's Ayush Shetty.
At 6 feet tall, 25-year-old Jason made his mark by winning the Korean Masters yesterday, his second Super 300 title this season after the Thailand Masters. Meanwhile, 6-foot-4 Ayush, dubbed the next big thing from India, captured his first senior crown at the US Open earlier this year.
A bronze medallist at the 2023 World Junior Championships in Spokane, the 20-year-old Ayush has drawn comparisons to Denmark's Viktor Axelsen for his explosive attacking style.
Misbun also highlighted Indonesia's Alwi Farhan, who defeated Malaysia's Justin Hoh to win the Macau Open this year, as well as France's Popov brothers, Christo and Toma Junior, and Alex Lanier for bringing flair and aggression to the world stage.
"This is the post-Olympic year, and besides the existing top players from China and other leading nations, we're witnessing a rapid emergence of new talent from India, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Europe," Misbun said. He continues to coach at his academy in Ampang, having left BAM two years ago.
"Jason and Ayush possess height and an attacking edge; Alwi is hot on the heels of the top players, and the French boys are giving Asian players a run for their money. Their coaches have refined their games, and you can see the confidence in their play."
Misbun added that European players benefit from more tournaments to hone their skills and consistency. In contrast, Malaysia's men's singles players appear to have hit a roadblock.
Leong Jun Hao remains the country's highest-ranked player at world No. 22, but a title still eludes him despite upsetting several top names this year. Others trailing include Justin Hoh (No. 37), Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin (No. 47), and Lee Zii Jia (No. 63).
Paris Olympic Games bronze medallist Zii Jia's form has dipped due to injuries and mental struggles. "It's unfair for me to comment on Zii Jia's condition as I've coached him before and I know his potential, but he seems stuck," Misbun said.
"I hope he and the others find their way out of that zone. Coaches and players must discover that extra spark to stay competitive."
Misbun emphasized that nurturing champions requires more than skill; it takes a special chemistry and personal connection between coach and player. He cited Axelsen as an example of resilience.
"It hasn't been an ideal year for him, but he took a break to recover and returned fighting. When he reached the Denmark Open semi-finals recently and broke down in tears, it showed his hunger and passion. Every player faces lows, but how they rise again separates the ordinary from the extraordinary."
As 2025 draws to a close, Misbun hopes Malaysia's singles players can shake off a quiet season and reignite their spark.
"It's time for them to rise and bring the excitement back to Malaysian men's singles," he added.
