Li Shifeng Reflects on Confidence and Comeback After Malaysia Masters Title Defense
HANGZHOU, CHINA - DECEMBER 19: Li Shifeng of China reacts in the Men s Singles Round Robin match against Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei on day 3 of the BWF World Tour Finals 2025 at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium on December 19, 2025 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN Copyright: xVCGx 111610707044
HANGZHOU, CHINA - DECEMBER 19: Li Shifeng of China reacts in the Men s Singles Round Robin match against Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei on day 3 of the BWF World Tour Finals 2025 at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium on December 19, 2025 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN Copyright: xVCGx 111610707044
China's Li Shifeng has done something special in Kuala Lumpur. He became only the second men's singles player after Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei to successfully defend the Malaysia Masters title.
Shifeng beat Thailand's rising star Panitchapon Teeraratsakul 21-16, 21-17 in the final. The match took place at the Unifi Arena in Bukit Jalil on Sunday. The win ended a long dry spell for the Chinese star. His last tournament victory came all the way back at the Hong Kong Open in September last year.
That gap was not just about form. Shifeng has also been dealing with injuries and other physical setbacks along the way. "It had been quite a while since I last won a title, and I had also been dealing with injuries and other physical issues," Shifeng said.
He admits self-belief is something you have to keep earning. "Confidence has to be built through victories, so winning this title reminds me to keep believing in myself."
The timing could not be better either. The Singapore Open starts on Tuesday, followed by the Indonesian Open a week later.
For the record, Lee Chong Wei won the Malaysia Masters in four straight editions from 2009 to 2012. Shifeng is the first to match that back-to-back feat since the Malaysian legend.
His next test comes quickly. Shifeng will face China's world No. 15 Weng Hong Yang in the first round of the KFF Singapore Badminton Open 2026.
Li Shifeng's Performance in the 2026 Season So Far
Shifeng is having a strong 2026 overall. But it has not all been smooth sailing.
His season started in February at the German Open. That was his return to the BWF World Tour after an injury break at the end of last season.
In March, he made it to the quarter-finals of the All England Open. He was beaten there in straight games by India's Lakshya Sen.
April was a tougher month. Shifeng suffered a shock Round of 32 exit at the Badminton Asia Championships, losing in straight games to India's Ayush Shetty.
But he bounced back in style at the Thomas Cup in April and May. He helped China lift the prestigious team championship.
And now in May, he has the Malaysia Masters trophy in his hands again. With confidence back and big tournaments ahead, the rest of 2026 looks promising for the Chinese star.
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Written by
Sahil Prashar
Edited by
Sahil Prashar