SEA Games 2025 Badminton Preview: Southeast Asia’s Fiercest Rivalries Return to Thailand
- SportPlus Feature
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore gear up for another epic showdown on the badminton court
Setting the Stage: Badminton Takes Centre Court in Thailand
The SEA Games 2025 badminton tournament is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events of this year’s Games, as Southeast Asia’s finest shuttlers prepare to renew rivalries in Thailand this December.
Powerhouses Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore are all bringing star-studded line-ups, with national pride, rankings, and legacy on the line.
With Thailand hosting, home-court advantage will be a major talking point. The Thais have been dominant across several events in recent editions, particularly in the women’s singles and team competitions — but Indonesia’s 2023 resurgence signals that the balance of power could tilt once again.
Recapping the Rivalries: How 2022 and 2023 Shaped the Storylines
The past two editions of the SEA Games laid the groundwork for what’s about to unfold in 2025.
Hanoi 2022 (31st SEA Games) – Thailand’s Golden Sweep
At the 2022 Games in Vietnam, Thailand dominated the courts:
Men’s Singles: Kunlavut Vitidsarn (THA) stunned 2021 World Champion Loh Kean Yew (SGP) 21-13, 21-13.
Women’s Singles: Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) beat compatriot Phittayaporn Chaiwan 21-14, 21-16 in an all-Thai final.
Team Events: Thailand clinched both men’s and women’s team golds, asserting regional supremacy.
Mixed Doubles: Malaysia ended a 23-year wait with gold, signaling renewed competitiveness in doubles.
Thailand’s near-perfect campaign reinforced their reputation as the region’s badminton powerhouse — especially in singles and team formats.
Phnom Penh 2023 (32nd SEA Games) – Indonesia Strikes Back
A year later in Cambodia, it was Indonesia’s turn to dominate, winning 5 golds, 2 silvers, and 3 bronzes — emerging as the overall badminton champion.
Men’s Singles: Christian Adinata (INA) outlasted Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo (INA) 21-12, 18-21, 21-18.
Women’s Singles: Supanida Katethong (THA) beat Lalinrat Chaiwan (THA) 21-12, 21-14.
Men’s Doubles: Pramudya Kusumawardana / Yeremia Rambitan (INA) took gold over Peeratchai Sukphun / Pakkapon Teeraratsakul (THA).
Women’s Doubles: Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma / Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi (INA) defeated fellow Indonesians Meilysa Trias Puspita Sari / Rachel Allessya Rose.
Mixed Doubles: Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto / Lisa Ayu Kusumawati (INA) beat Roy King Yap / Cheng Su Yin (MAS) 20-22, 21-8, 21-16.
Team Events: Indonesia took men’s team gold, while Thailand retained women’s team gold.
The 2023 results reignited the Indonesia-Thailand rivalry — a narrative certain to headline the 2025 edition.
Country Rivalries to Watch in 2025
Indonesia vs Thailand – The Regional Heavyweights
Indonesia’s complete 2023 turnaround in Phnom Penh re-established them as the team to beat, particularly in men’s singles and doubles. Thailand, however, still hold an edge in women’s and team events — and now have the home advantage in 2025. Expect fireworks when these two meet.
Malaysia vs Indonesia – Doubles Showdowns
For decades, Malaysia’s strength has been in doubles. Their 2022 mixed doubles gold (Chen Tang Jie / Peck Yen Wei) ended a long drought. Indonesia’s 2023 sweep of doubles events sets up a compelling Malaysia-Indonesia duel in both men’s and mixed categories.
Thailand vs Singapore – Fireworks Expected
The 2022 men’s singles final between Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Loh Kean Yew remains one of the SEA Games’ classic battles. Both stars are world-class and could meet again.
Singapore will also pin hopes on Yeo Jia Min, who continues to climb the global rankings, and their world-tour-winning mixed doubles pair Terry Hee and Jessica Jin Yujia, who’ve proven they can trouble any regional powerhouse.
SEA Games 2025: Top Badminton Players to Watch
Men’s Singles
Kunlavut Vitidsarn (THA) – 2022 SEA Games champion; the hometown hero chasing another gold.
Loh Kean Yew (SGP) – 2021 World Champion and 2022 silver medallist, hungry to complete his SEA Games collection.
Women’s Singles
Supanida Katethong (THA) – Reigning 2023 champion; consistent and composed under pressure.
Lalinrat Chaiwan (THA) – Runner-up in 2023; looking to bounce back at home.
Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) – 2022 gold medallist and a world-tour regular.
Yeo Jia Min (SGP) – Singapore’s top female shuttler, world Top 20 contender, and a genuine medal hope in Bangkok.
Men’s Doubles
Aaron Chia / Soh Wooi Yik (MAS) - Current World No. 2 pair, fan-favourites.
Peeratchai Sukphun / Pakkapon Teeraratsakul (THA) – 2023 silver medallists with crowd support on their side.
Bagas Maulana / Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (INA) – All England champions with big-match experience.
Women’s Doubles
Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma / Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi (INA) – 2023 champions and rising world-ranked pair.
Pearly Tan / Thinaan Muralitharan (MAS) - Current World No. 2, Former world champions and fan-favourites.
Jongkolphan Kititharakul / Rawinda Prajongjai (THA) – veterans who thrive on home support.
Mixed Doubles
Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto / Lisa Ayu Kusumawati (INA) – 2023 gold medallists; dynamic and powerful.
Chen Tang Jie / Toh Ee Jie (MAS) – Current World Champions after winning at the recent BWF World Championships in Paris.
Dechapol Puavaranukroh / Supissara Paewsampran (THA) – Thailand’s world-class duo, recent Singapore Badminton Open 2025 champions amongst many others despite being a new pair.
Terry Hee / Jin Yujia (SGP) – New pair, with Terry Hee bringing experience on the court having won the Commonwealth Games with former partner Jessica Tan.
Why the SEA Games 2025 Will Be Unmissable
Home Advantage: Thailand’s electric crowds will push local stars like Kunlavut and Supanida to new heights.
Resurgence vs Legacy: Indonesia’s 2023 dominance faces its toughest test yet on Thai soil.
Emerging Talents: Expect young players from Malaysia, Singapore, and even Vietnam to disrupt the hierarchy.
Team Glory on the Line: The men’s and women’s team events will decide which nation truly rules Southeast Asian badminton.
With the SEA Games 2025 badminton competition set for December in Thailand, fans can expect thrilling rallies, national pride, and perhaps new heroes to emerge.
Whether it’s Kunlavut defending home turf, Loh Kean Yew seeking redemption, or Indonesia chasing another sweep — this year’s Games could deliver one of the most intense badminton chapters in SEA Games history.
Follow our SEA Games 2025 coverage on SportPlus.sg — your home for Singapore and Southeast Asian sports news, athlete stories. #SEAGames2025 #Badminton
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