Kuala Lumpur beat Kedah 4-2 to win their first National Under-18 Mixed Team Badminton title after an 11-year wait.
KUALA LUMPUR ended an 11-year wait to clinch their first ever National Under-18 Mixed Team Badminton Championship title after defeating Kedah 4-2 in the final of the 2026 edition at the Kelantan Badminton Association Hall in Kota Bharu today.
The historic triumph came after a remarkable comeback by the Federal Territory side, who recovered from an early deficit after losing both singles matches before winning the final three ties to secure the maiden title.
Kuala Lumpur’s mixed doubles pair, Tian Ci Yee and Weng Yan Lee, gave their team the perfect start with a 15-13, 15-11 victory over Mohd Danish Haikal Mohd Noor and Nurin Zahirah Haizal.
However, Kedah levelled the tie through Kieshen Sai Rao, who defeated Cheng Yao Teh 15-11, 15-9 in the boys’ singles, before Lee Han Ning put Kedah ahead with a 15-9, 15-6 win over Ng Yun Xi in the girls’ singles.
Kuala Lumpur’s comeback began when Ong Xin Ru delivered a crucial point by defeating Lau Xin En 15-11, 14-16, 15-13 in a closely fought girls’ singles match that lasted nearly an hour.
The momentum continued as Tian Hao Liew beat Joshua Karunagaran 15-11, 15-4, before the men’s doubles pair of Kai Xuan Liew and Wong Meng Fong sealed the historic victory with a 15-8, 14-16, 15-11 win over Kedah’s Kieshen Sai Rao and Mohd Danish Haikal Mohd Noor.
Meanwhile, Selangor claimed the bronze medal after defeating two-time defending champions Penang 4-1 in the third-place playoff.