Kim Ga-eun Match: Hanwei Abstention & China’s Response

(MHN Reporter Lee Hyun-ah) Han Yue (韩悦) of the Chinese women’s badminton team suddenly withdrew from the Malaysia Open, causing a big stir.

On the 8th, Hanwe withdrew from the tournament immediately after defeating Korea’s Kim Ga-eun (Samsung Life Insurance) 2-0 in the round of 32 of the 2026 Malaysia Open women’s singles.

Regarding the unexpected abstention news that came immediately after the victory, local Chinese media outlets, including Baidu, reported that “there is a possibility that a combination of existing injuries and recent decline in physical condition may have played a role.”

According to the media, “Hanwe has already revealed that his body is not keeping up with the schedule of consecutive competitions since the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Finals in December last year.” At that time, he failed to advance to the semifinals, losing 0-2 to Thailand’s Ratchanok Inthanon.

Therefore, the analysis is that the withdrawal from the Malaysia Open could be due to physical exhaustion and worsening physical condition due to the long forced march. However, to date, the tournament organizing committee and the Chinese national team have not made an official announcement regarding Han Yue’s exact injury or condition.

Hanwe’s withdrawal brought unexpected good news to Denmark’s Line Christophersen. Kristoffersen, ranked 12th in the world, advanced directly to the quarterfinals without a separate match, achieving the achievement of advancing to the quarterfinals of the Super 1000 competition for the first time in the new season.

Chinese media continued, “Han Yue’s departure had a direct impact on the Chinese women’s singles championship structure. China fielded five players in this tournament, including Wang Zhiyi, Han Yue, Chen Yufei, Gao Fangjie, and Han Qianxi, but currently only one player remains, Chen Yufei.”

In addition, the media commented, “The Malaysia Open, with a total prize money of $1.2 million, is the most prestigious tournament in the BWF Super 1000 class. Han Yue’s sudden withdrawal cast a cloud over the prospects of winning the Chinese women’s singles, and all the burden is placed on Chen Yufei. Whether Chen Yufei can continue her stable performance under pressure is emerging as the biggest point to watch in this tournament.”

Photo = Yonex USA, BWF