Sze Fei–Izzuddin lead Tokyo charge
The pair's triumph in Tokyo last year was a career-defining breakthrough — their first Super 750 title — and ended Malaysia's 22-year wait in the event since Chan Chong Ming–Chew Choon Eng won in 2002.
That victory lit the spark that eventually propelled Sze Fei–Izzuddin to the top of the world rankings recently.
Now holding a slim lead over compatriots Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik and South Korea's Kim Won Ho–Seo Seung Jae, their title defence is far from straightforward — especially with the release of the draw on Tuesday.
Sze Fei–Izzuddin will open their campaign against Canadians Kevin Lee–Ty Lindeman, before a potential last-16 meeting with Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa–Kyohei Yamashita.
Should they advance, a clash with Indonesia's seventh seeds Sabar Karyaman Gutama–Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani looms in the quarter-finals, and a possible semi-final against fourth seeds Kim Astrup–Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark.
Aaron–Wooi Yik, currently the most in-form pair on tour with three titles from their last five tournaments — Asia Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open — are seeded second and face a fiery start against fellow Malaysians Ong Yew Sin–Teo Ee Yi in the opening round.
Their projected path includes Japan's Kenya Mitsuhashi–Hiroki Okamura in the second round, China's fifth seeds Liang Wei Keng–Wang Chang in the quarters, and Won Ho–Seung Jae, fresh off their Indonesia Open triumph last month, in the last four.
Two other Malaysian pairs will meet in the first round, with Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun drawn against younger compatriots Wan Arif Junaidi–Yap Roy King, while veterans Nur Azriyn Ayub–Tan Wee Kiong face French brothers Christo and Toma Junior Popov.
In women's doubles, world No. 3 Pearly Tan–M. Thinaah will be aiming for a strong restart after officially committing to a new three-year contract with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) until 2028 — putting to bed speculation of a professional switch after months of delay since their previous contract expired at the end of last year.
They begin their campaign against Bulgaria's Stoeva sisters, Stefanie and Gabriela, followed by a potential last-16 tie with Indonesia's Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma–Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi, quarter-finals with South Korea's Kim Hye Jeong–Kong Hee Yong, and a possible blockbuster semi-final against home favourites and nemeses Nami Matsuyama–Chiharu Shida.
Two other combinations Go Pei Kee–Teoh Mei Xing and Ong Xin Yee–Carmen Ting face tough openers against South Korea's fourth seeds Baek Ha Na–Lee So Hee and sixth seeds Rin Iwanaga–Kie Nakanishi of Japan, respectively.
Malaysia's mixed doubles will also see four pairs in action, led by fourth seeds Chen Tang Jie–Toh Ee Wei, who will take on Kevin Lee–Josephine Wu of Canada.
Their route includes a tricky second round against China's Guo Xin Wa–Chen Fang Hui, quarter-finals against Thom Gicquel–Delphine Delrue of France, and a potential semi-final against China's second seeds Jiang Zhen Bang–Wei Ya Xin.
Veteran duo Goh Soon Huat–Shevon Lai Jemie open against Thailand's Ruttanapak Oupthong–Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat, while Hoo Pang Ron–Cheng Su Yin and Wong Tien Ci–Lim Chiew Sien face Presley Smith-Jennie Gai and Yuichi Shimogami-Sayaka Hobara from the US and Japan respectively.
In men's singles, Leong Jun Hao will be Malaysia's sole representative after Lee Zii Jia pulled out due to injury.
The 25-year-old faces a tough first round assignment against eighth seed and defending champion Alex Lanier of France.
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