![Badminton world champion Tang Jie has Taiwanese roots [WATCH]](https://prwire.my/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Badminton-world-champion-Tang-Jie-has-Taiwanese-roots-WATCH.jpg)
KUALA LUMPUR: Few may realise that newly crowned mixed doubles world champion Chen Tang Jie is half-Taiwanese.
Tang Jie, who lifted Malaysia’s first mixed doubles world title with Toh Ee Wei in Paris on Sunday, has family ties to Taiwan through his father.
When the world No 4 clinched the Taiwan Open two years ago, a Taiwanese outlet pulled off a surprise by arranging for his elder sister Chen Yi Wen, who was studying there at the time, to interview him in the mixed zone.
Yi Wen managed to get inside by posing as an intern with “Quan Sports Network”, aided by senior reporter Zhuang Ming Yun.
Tang Jie was stunned when he saw her, before the siblings burst out laughing and exchanged playful banter.
In another clip, Tang Jie, who was born in Ipoh, Perak, but grew up in Negri Sembilan, confirmed his paternal roots in Taiwan and said he was thrilled to celebrate with relatives who were present.
“I had not seen them for a long time because of COVID-19 restrictions,” he said.
“There had not been any tournaments in Taiwan before this, so I missed them. I am very happy I could win in front of them.”
World No 4 Tang Jie-Ee Wei delivered Malaysia’s historic world title in mixed doubles, defeating China‘s world No 2 Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin 21-15, 21-14 at the Adidas Arena in Paris.
It was Malaysia’s first medal of any colour in mixed doubles since Koo Kien Kiat-Wong Pei Tty claimed bronze in 2006.
The victory also marked the nation’s first world title in three years, following Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik’s men’s doubles triumph in 2022.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
