PETALING JAYA: Is a dream all-Malaysian men’s doubles final in the World Championships possible?
Shuttler Soh Wooi Yik believes it is not out of reach as they seek success at the worlds in Paris from Aug 25-31.
The former world champions Wooi Yik and Aaron Chia had set up an all-Malaysian final with teammates Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in the Malaysian Masters, with the latter ending a 12-year wait for a title.
The world No. 8 pair were the first home winners since Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah in 2013.
The Thai Open winners Aaron-Wooi Yik and their teammates’ feat under legendary Indonesian coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, who took over the men’s doubles head coach role from Tan Bin Shen in February, has raised hopes of similar success in bigger tourneys such as the World Championships.
Independent pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani is expected to rise to the world No. 1 spot when the official rankings list is updated on Tuesday (May 27) and that too has fuelled the tantalising possibility of seeing two Malaysian pairs battling it out for the world crown.
On the dream scenario, Wooi Yik said: “Of course there’s a healthy rivalry between us as the Malaysian men’s doubles is very strong now. We hope we can maintain this.
“Our mission does not end here (in the Malaysian Masters). We have much more to aim for in the future like the World Championships and Olympics.
Based on the first phase of qualifiers, Aaron-Wooi Yik, Wei Chong-Kai Wun and Sze Fei-Izzuddin have made the cut for the world meet this year.
Aaron-Wooi Yik created history in 2022 when they became the first Malaysian shuttlers to win the world title.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun and Sze Fei-Izzuddin though have never won a medal in the showpiece event and will be keen for a breakthrough this time.
Both pairs and Aaron-Wooi Yik have captured five titles already so far this year.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun added the Malaysian Masters crown to their Indonesian Masters title in January while Aaron-Wooi Yik won the Asian Championships last month and Thailand Open last week.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin claimed the Indian Open in January.
Wooi Yik hopes to see one of Sze Fei-Izzuddin or Wei Chong-Kai Wun qualify for the next Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles along with him and Aaron.
“Aaron and I have been to two Olympics, so we hope the other two pairs can follow us to the next Games,” said Wooi Yik.
Only a maximum of two pairs from a country can make the cut for the Olympics, provided both are ranked in the world’s top eight before the end of the qualifying period.
Aaron-Wooi Yik captured bronze in both the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics where they were the sole Malaysian representatives in the men’s doubles.
Meanwhile, Aaron-Wooi Yik have also set their sights on completing their title collection in the World Tour by winning a Super 1000 crown.
The pair have so far claimed the Super 300 Korean Masters in 2024, Super 750 Denmark Open in 2023 and Super 500 title in Thailand last week.
“Hopefully, we can win a Super 1000 title soon. We have a new coach and we have to keep training hard under him,” said Wooi Yik.
Aaron-Wooi Yik have been in fine form under Herry but believe they can still get better.
“He has only been coaching us for a few months, so this is still a learning period for us. We are trying to adapt as fast as possible,” said Aaron.
