NINGBO, CHINA – As the April 7-12 Asian Championships in Ningbo loom, Malaysia’s men’s singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen isn’t dwelling on a potentially challenging draw for Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh. Instead, the Dane views the tournament as a vital opportunity to gauge the progress of both players as they prepare for the prestigious Thomas Cup, set to initiate April 24 in Horsens, Denmark.
The Asian Championships will feature a strong field of competitors, providing a high-stakes environment for Jun Hao and Hoh to demonstrate their capabilities after recent inconsistencies. Jun Hao, currently ranked 23rd in the world as of March 10, 2026, according to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), faces a tough opening-round matchup against defending champion Jonatan Christie of Indonesia. Hoh will also have his work cut out for him, taking on fellow Indonesian Alwi Farhan in his first match.
“Both are tough first-round opponents and will be a very good test for both Jun Hao and Justin,” Jonassen stated. “As the build-up to the Thomas Cup continues, these are the matches and opportunities we require to test ourselves, appreciate and learn from.”
This isn’t simply about winning or losing in Ningbo; it’s about gathering data and refining strategies. The Thomas Cup, a biennial international badminton championship contested by men’s national teams, demands peak performance, and Jonassen is using the Asian Championships as a crucial stepping stone. Malaysia has a rich history in the Thomas Cup, having won the title eight times, most recently in 1992. The pressure to perform is always high, and these preparatory tournaments are essential for building confidence and identifying areas for improvement.
Recent form has been a concern, particularly for Hoh. Jonassen acknowledged that Hoh’s performances in Europe over the past few weeks haven’t met expectations. He was eliminated in the second round of the Orleans Masters by Taiwan’s Su Li-yang, and suffered the same fate at the Swiss Open, losing to India’s Tharun Mannepalli. Prior to that, Hoh exited the German Open in the first round after a defeat against Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu. These results underscore the need for a focused and productive training period leading up to the Asian Championships.
For context, the European tour is a key component of the international badminton calendar, offering players valuable ranking points and competitive experience. However, the quick succession of tournaments can be physically and mentally demanding, and it appears Hoh struggled to maintain consistency throughout the swing.
Jun Hao, despite being a former Asian Junior Champion and World Junior Championship silver medalist, has also faced challenges. According to a report from The New Straits Times on March 13, 2026, former Thomas Cup hero Datuk Rashid Sidek believes Jun Hao still has the potential to be a valuable asset for the team, but emphasized that improvement must approach from within. Rashid suggested that Jun Hao needs to transform his approach in training over the next six weeks to be truly competitive in Horsens.
The upcoming two weeks will be critical for both players. Jonassen plans to prioritize intense training focused on improving physical fitness and refining key aspects of their games, drawing lessons from their recent experiences. “Orleans had its ups and downs. As a team we learned a lot from this tournament, which will help us improve,” Jonassen explained. “The Asian Championships are next and all will benefit from two weeks of intense training, focusing on improving our physical fitness while strengthening key aspects of our game based on what we have learned in recent weeks.”
The draw at the Asian Championships isn’t just a test of skill; it’s a mental challenge. Facing top players like Jonatan Christie early in the tournament will force Jun Hao to elevate his game and demonstrate his resilience. Christie, the 2024 champion, presents a formidable opponent, but Jun Hao has previously defeated the Indonesian three times, though their most recent encounter at the Malaysian Open in January favored Christie.
The Asian Championships in Ningbo, represent more than just another tournament on the calendar. It’s a crucial evaluation period, a chance for Jun Hao and Hoh to refine their strategies, build confidence, and prove they are ready to contribute to Malaysia’s Thomas Cup campaign. The outcome in Ningbo will undoubtedly shape the team’s approach and expectations as they head to Denmark later in April.
Following the Asian Championships, the team will have a limited window to finalize their preparations before the Thomas Cup begins. The tournament in Horsens will be a demanding test of endurance and skill, and Malaysia will need every player performing at their best to have a chance of lifting the trophy.
The Thomas Cup is scheduled to run from April 24 to May 3 in Horsens, Denmark. Fans can follow updates and results on the Badminton World Federation website: https://bwfbadminton.com/
