In a moment of national pride and sports history, Taiwanese badminton duo Hsieh Pei-shan (謝沛珊) and Hung En-tzu (洪恩慈) clinched the women’s doubles title at the 2025 Taipei Open on Sunday, becoming the first local team in 17 years to achieve this milestone. Their victory not only marks a breakthrough in their young partnership but also signals a powerful resurgence of Taiwanese women’s badminton on the global stage.
🏸 Dominant Final Performance: Triumph Over Japan
Hsieh and Hung, who were seeded first in the tournament, decisively defeated Japan’s Mizuki Otake and Miyu Takahashi in straight sets, 21-14, 21-15, in just 43 minutes. The duo displayed tight coordination, aggressive net play, and impenetrable defense that left their Japanese opponents struggling for rhythm.
This win crowns a steep upward trajectory for the pair, who began playing together only in June 2024, making this victory all the more significant.
👭 From High School Partners to International Champions
Both players are alumni of Kaohsiung Municipal Kaohsiung Girls’ Senior High School, a known hub for badminton talent in Taiwan. Interestingly, they were trained by Chien Yu-chin, the same player who—with partner Cheng Wen-hsing—last won the Taipei Open women’s doubles title for Taiwan back in 2008.
This mentorship and institutional lineage reflect how grassroots training programs and local coaching expertise continue to bear fruit at the elite level.
💬 From Tension to Triumph: The Personal Journey Behind the Win
During post-match interviews, Hung En-tzu opened up emotionally:
“This title means a lot to me. We’ve had many disagreements and tough moments. But we grew from them, and today we’re here—champions.”
Hung returned to doubles competition in 2023 after recovering from an injury. Her transition from singles to doubles was strategic, allowing her to leverage speed, court awareness, and resilience. She continues to compete in singles, which she believes enhances her adaptability and strategic play.
Meanwhile, Hsieh Pei-shan shared how they had previously been stuck in semifinal or quarterfinal finishes:
“We’ve improved a lot. This title—won in front of our home crowd—is the result of hard work and faith in each other.”
Their contrasting styles—Hung’s explosive baseline control and Hsieh’s surgical net precision—complemented each other well throughout the tournament.
📊 Breaking Into the Elite: Road to Top 10
Currently ranked No. 13 in the world, Hsieh and Hung now set their eyes on breaking into the top 10 BWF women’s doubles rankings this year. Their victory at the HSBC BWF Super 300 tournament, which featured US$240,000 in total prize money, is likely to provide a significant boost to their rankings and confidence.
Their win is also likely to gain them invitations to higher-tier Super 500 or Super 750 events, where greater ranking points and tougher opponents await.
🎯 Why This Win Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
This victory comes at a crucial time for Taiwanese badminton. The sport has seen stronger development in men’s singles (with stars like Chou Tien-chen) and mixed doubles, but women’s doubles had lacked a breakthrough in recent years.
Their win is not just symbolic—it’s a potential inflection point for the next generation of Taiwanese female players, who can now see a path paved not just by historic names like Cheng and Chien, but by active champions in the present.
Additionally, it underscores the importance of long-term investment in youth development, school-level sports training, and local coaching, areas where Taiwan has steadily improved but needs continued support.
📌 FAQs
Who are Hsieh Pei-shan and Hung En-tzu?
They are Taiwanese badminton players and the women’s doubles champions of the 2025 Taipei Open. They began their partnership in June 2024 and trained at Kaohsiung Girls’ Senior High School.
When was the last time Taiwan won the women’s doubles title at the Taipei Open?
In 2008, when Cheng Wen-hsing and Chien Yu-chin won it for the fourth time.
What is the significance of this win?
This victory ends a 17-year drought for local players and signals a new era of competitiveness in Taiwanese women’s badminton.
How much was the prize pool for the tournament?
The total prize money was US$240,000, as part of the HSBC BWF Super 300 series.
What are their future goals?
Hsieh and Hung aim to break into the top 10 BWF women’s doubles world rankings by the end of 2025.
