PETALING JAYA – A potential shift in badminton scoring could be the key for Malaysian mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie to reignite their All-England Open campaign. Following a second-round exit at this year’s tournament, the duo are looking to a proposed rule change by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) as a potential boost for future competitions.
The pair fell to world No. 2 Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin in a 16-21, 18-21 defeat on Thursday, marking their 10th loss to the Chinese duo since their first encounter in 2023. Despite the setback, Soon Huat and Shevon remain optimistic, particularly regarding a proposal to alter the scoring system from the current 21-point rally scoring to a 15×3 point system.
The BWF is set to vote on the proposal at its annual general meeting on April 25th in Horsens. If approved, the 2026 All-England Open could be the last played under the traditional 21-point format. For Soon Huat and Shevon, the change represents a potential advantage, particularly as they navigate a landscape increasingly dominated by younger, more physically demanding players.
“Definitely it will be a shorter game and advantage wise it gives us more time to rest because we do not need to play long games of 21 points,” Shevon Lai Jemie explained. “But the disadvantage is that the game will be faster and it could allow anyone to play well. It also does not mean a top seeded player will definitely win because the matches are shorter and any player can grab a game.”
The current 21-point system places a significant emphasis on stamina and endurance, qualities often more readily found in younger athletes. The proposed 15×3 system, by shortening matches, could level the playing field, rewarding tactical acumen and experience alongside physical prowess. This shift could benefit seasoned players like Soon Huat and Shevon, allowing them to leverage their court awareness and strategic play without being solely reliant on peak physical conditioning.
Despite their defeat, Soon Huat and Shevon acknowledged the strength of their opponents. They admitted that Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin were in a class of their own during the 42-minute match. “Definitely every time we play them we do our homework and try to find new ways to overcome them,” Soon Huat said. “But the most crucial factor is the speed of the game. We cannot maintain the same pace as long as they can.”
Shevon elaborated on this challenge, noting a pattern of errors creeping into their game as rallies extend. “We tend to make mistakes after eight or nine rallies and that leads to a lot of unforced errors and quick points for them. They usually capitalise on that every time we play them,” she added.
While the scoring system debate takes center stage, the All-England Open saw a number of other notable results. In men’s singles, Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand defeated Lu Guangzu of China 21-15, 21-10. Loh Kean Yew of Singapore overcame Kodai Naraoka of Japan in a thrilling three-game match, 14-21, 21-19, 24-22. Christo Popov of France secured a dominant victory over Rasmus Gemke of Denmark, 21-4, 21-16.
The men’s doubles saw Christo Popov and Toma Junior Popov (France) defeat Sabar Karyaman and Reza Isfahani (Indonesia) 21-12, 21-12. Several Malaysian pairs also saw success, including Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, who beat Fang Chih-lee and Fang Chih-jen (Chinese Taipei) 21-17, 21-16. Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik also advanced, defeating Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith (USA) 21-17, 21-17.
In women’s singles, Chiu Pin-chian (Chinese Taipei) battled past Zhang Beiwen (USA) 18-21, 21-8, 21-12. Akane Yamaguchi of Japan continued her strong form with a 21-13, 21-11 win over Busanan Ongbamrungphan of Thailand.
The mixed doubles competition also featured several compelling matches, with Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie securing a win against Callum Hemming and Estelle Van Leeuwen (England) 21-14, 21-12 before ultimately falling to the Chinese pair. Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin continued their impressive run, defeating Presley Smith and Jennie Gai (USA) 21-10, 16-21, 21-12.
The BWF’s upcoming vote on the scoring system promises to be a pivotal moment for the sport. For Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie, the outcome could significantly impact their chances of success at future All-England Opens, and beyond. The pair will undoubtedly be watching the proceedings in Horsens with keen interest, hoping for a change that could revitalize their campaign and allow them to compete at the highest level for years to come.
The next major checkpoint for Soon Huat and Shevon will be their participation in upcoming BWF World Tour events, where they will continue to refine their game and prepare for the challenges ahead. Fans can stay updated on their progress and the BWF’s decision regarding the scoring system through the official BWF website: https://bwfbadminton.com/
What are your thoughts on the proposed scoring change? Share your opinions in the comments below!
