Malaysian doubles shuttler M. Thinaah battled through profound personal grief, including the loss of her grandmother and her pet rabbit within weeks of each other, before securing a milestone women’s doubles medal at the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya. Partnering Pearly Tan, Thinaah helped end Malaysia’s 12-year wait for a podium finish in the event on Tuesday, overcoming a turbulent period marked by family tragedy and international competition.
The Loss of Grandmother Amzy During the World Championships
The adversity began last month while Thinaah was in New Delhi competing at the World Championships. On Aug. 21, 2026, just two days after the tournament commenced, her grandmother passed away. Thinaah immediately flew back home, managing to see her grandmother one final time before the funeral. In a public social media post reflecting on the loss, Thinaah shared the pain of returning home to someone who always awaited her tournament comebacks, albeit arriving too late this time. She expressed comfort in knowing her grandmother passed away peacefully and credited her memory for ongoing guidance.
Coping with a Second Loss Weeks Later
Just three weeks after laying her grandmother to rest, Thinaah suffered another personal blow with the death of her pet rabbit, Roger. Describing the animal affectionately as her “gundy bunny,” she noted that Roger left peacefully without pain.
Ending a 12-Year Wait in Asian Games Women’s Doubles
Despite the emotional toll of losing both her grandmother and her pet in quick succession, Thinaah regrouped alongside long-time partner Pearly Tan. On Tuesday at the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya, the duo delivered a breakthrough performance, capturing a women’s doubles medal. The podium finish marks a significant milestone for Malaysian badminton, successfully concluding a 12-year wait for a medal in the discipline at the Games.
