From Amiril Muttaqien Meketar
HORSENS (Denmark), April 23 (Bernama) -- Taiwan arrive at the Thomas Cup Finals 2026 in Forum Horsens, here, carrying something they have never quite had before, a momentum built from history.
After reaching a maiden semi-final in Chengdu 2024 in China, veteran leader Chou Tien Chen believes the team are no longer just participants, but genuine competitors who can take another step forward as they set their sights to clinch their first Thomas Cup.
“That’s our goal (winning Thomas Cup). If you have one result, you want to pass that but we need to go step by step. So that’s what we are working for,” he told Bernama after the practice session, today.
As Taiwan are tipped as the dark horse of the tournament, the current world No. 6 shuttler believes his team is strong enough to take the challenge, particularly with the rise of the world No. 8 Lin Chun-Yi, lately.
The 36-year-old also said the blend of youth and experience has given Chinese Taipei a fresh balance, with flexibility across doubles and growing confidence in the singles line-up.
Last March, Chun-Yi made history as he became the first ever men’s singles player from Taiwan to win the All England Open Badminton Championships title, the world’s oldest badminton tournament, in Birmingham.
Apart from Tien Chen and Chun-Yi, Taiwan can rely on the two-times Olympic Games men’s doubles gold medallist, Wang Chi-Lin with his current partner, Chiu Hsiang Chieh, to deliver important points for their country.
Other players include world No. 21 Chi Yu Jen and world No. 36 Lee Chia Hao from the men’s singles camp and two more doubles pairs namely world No. 16 pair Lee Jhe-Huei-Yang Po-Hsuan and Liu Kuang Heng-Yang Po Huan (23rd).
Despite growing expectations, Tien Chen said Taiwan cannot take lightly the challenge from the hosts Denmark, who are drawn together in Group C, as well as other contenders such as 14-time champions, Indonesia, defending champions China and five-time champions Malaysia.
Taiwan will open their Group C campaign against Sweden on April 25, followed by South Korea (April 27) and Denmark (April 29).
The Thomas Cup Finals 2026 will kick off tomorrow and run until May 3.
-- BERNAMA
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