The long-awaited Asia Mixed Team Badminton Championship kicks off on Tuesday, February 14, in Dubai. The UAE's Dubai Exhibition Center will be the battlefield where Asia's top-ranked players fight for the title of continental champions. This year's tournament is especially special as it returns after a four-year break. After the 2019 event in Hong Kong, the 2021 championships had to be cancelled because of Covid-19.
The eagerly awaited Asia Mixed Team Badminton Championship will begin on February 14 (Tuesday) in Dubai. The best and top-seeded shuttlers from Asia will battle for continental supremacy at the team competition. All the matches are scheduled to take place at the Dubai Exhibition Center in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament has returned after a four-year gap. The event’s most recent edition was held in Hong Kong in 2019. It was scheduled to take place in 2021 but was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This tournament is more than just a trophy; as the opening team event of 2023, it acts as a crucial dress rehearsal for the upcoming Sudirman Cup. Out of the 17 nations competing, China and Japan are the ones to beat. China previously secured bronze in the inaugural event and took gold in 2019, while Japan has been remarkably consistent, securing gold and silver in the last two tournaments. Let's dive into why these two teams are the favorites.
Entering as the number one seed and defending champions, Team China is the team to beat. While their current roster leans toward a younger generation, they have a vital anchor in the experienced Zhao Junpeng, a veteran of the previous campaign. Additionally, they boast the current Olympic gold medalist in mixed doubles from Tokyo. Although their men's and women's doubles pairings are relatively new, their dominant track record in junior circuits suggests they are ready for the big stage. China is heavily favored to advance to the quarter-finals from a group that includes Uzbekistan, South Korea, and Singapore.
Team Japan is coming in with a clear mission: reclaim the trophy. They can rely heavily on the experience of Yugo Kobayashi and Tajuro Hogi, a men's doubles duo that has been in stellar form during recent majors. Meanwhile, Kodai Naraoka brings a surge of confidence after a strong run to the 2023 Malaysia Open final, where he narrowly lost to Victor Axelsen. The team is further bolstered by the formidable pairing of Arisa Higashino and Yuta Watanabe in women's doubles. Japan will be competing in Group D against Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Chinese Taipei.