TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's men's doubles team of Lai Po-yu (賴柏佑) and Tsai Fu-cheng (蔡富丞) captured gold at the YONEX US Open 2025 Badminton Championships on Monday (June 30), Taiwan time. The victorious pair prevailed over fellow Taiwanese competitors He Zhi-wei (何志偉) and Huang Jui-hsuan (黃睿璿) in a nail-biting three-game final with scores of 21-13, 21-23, 21-15.
The triumph represents Taiwan's first men's doubles championship at the U.S. Open since 2010, when Fang Chieh-min (方介民) and Lee Sheng-mu (李勝木) claimed the title, ending a 15-year drought for the island nation in this category. Lai and Tsai, currently ranked 86th in the world, squared off against their higher-ranked countrymen Ho and Huang (63rd) in what was their first-ever meeting. Both pairs entered the match seeking their first title in a prestigious 300-level tournament.
Lai and Tsai demonstrated remarkable mental fortitude in the opening game, recovering from an early 3-6 deficit to build a substantial lead before claiming the game 21-13. Their opponents mounted a spirited comeback in the second game, with He and Huang battling through a tense tie to snatch a 23-21 victory and force a decider. The gold medalists reasserted their dominance in the crucial third game, establishing control early and maintaining momentum to build a commanding 17-10 lead before closing out the match.
Coach Hu Chung-hsien (胡崇賢) of the Taiwan Cooperative Bank team commended the champions for their meticulous preparation, highlighting their tactical approach against Ho's left-handed backhand as a key factor in the victory. The gold medal performance earned Lai and Tsai a substantial 7,000 ranking points, which will dramatically improve their global standing. The prestigious tournament featured a total prize purse of US$240,000 (approximately NT$6,979,920), underscoring its significance on the international badminton circuit. ◼