China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang secured a silver medal in the men’s doubles badminton event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after being defeated by Indonesia’s Daniel Marthin and Leo Rolly Carnando in a gripping final match. Despite a strong start with a 21-19 win in the first game, the Chinese pair could not maintain their lead, with Marthin and Carnando bouncing back to win the second game 21-13 and clinching the gold with a 21-18 victory in the final game.
This achievement marked a notable milestone for China, as it was the first time in 36 years that a Chinese pair reached the men’s doubles final at the Asian Games. The last Chinese team to achieve this feat was Li Yongbo and Tian Bingyi, who won gold at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games.
Liang and Wang entered the competition as reigning world champions, having won the men’s doubles title at the World Championships in August. Their journey at the Asian Games included defeating Indonesian opponents in both the men’s team final and the men’s doubles semifinal, showcasing their strong performance throughout the event.
Despite their loss in the final, Wang Chang expressed determination for future success, stating that the pair remains focused on capturing gold in upcoming major competitions. This sentiment underscores their commitment to continuing their pursuit of excellence on the international stage.
Overall, China concluded the badminton events at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with a commendable performance, garnering two gold medals in the women’s team event and mixed doubles, as well as silver medals in the men’s team, men’s doubles, and women’s doubles events.