PETALING JAYA: Shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik proved that Malaysia can still count on them in the major events after capturing gold in the Asian Championships.
A month after a disappointing first-round exit in the All-England, Aaron-Wooi Yik displayed true champions’ mentality by going all the way to win their maiden title in the Asian meet.
The 2022 world champions crowned their superb run in the tourney by beating world No. 16 homesters Chen Boyang-Liu Yi 21-19, 21-17 in the final at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium in China yesterday.
World No. 6 Aaron-Wooi Yik played brilliantly to come out on top in a closely fought match which lasted 47 minutes.
The two-time Olympic bronze medallists made amends in style after finishing runners-up to Indonesia’s Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Rambitan in 2022.
They also ended Malaysia’s 18-year wait for the men’s doubles title in the Asian meet after Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah last triumphed in 2007.
Aaron-Wooi Yik had won all their matches in straight games, including impressive victories over Indonesia and China’s top pairs Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto (last eight) and Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang (last four) respectively.
The national No. 2 had a tricky challenge against Boyang-Liu Yi after suffering a surprise defeat to the rising duo in their last encounter in the Denmark Open quarter-finals last October.
The Chinese combo also showed that they were a serious threat after toppling the likes of national No. 1 and world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Indonesia’s world No. 8 Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza on the way to the final.
Aaron-Wooi Yik’s experience in big tournaments and an aggressive approach though helped them prevail this time.
They were the only Malaysians to get past the last eight in the tournament and showed once again that they can be relied upon when the stakes are highest.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky was pleased with his charges and hopes that the pair can maintain their form after this.
“First, thank you, God for the title. Aaron-Wooi Yik were very steady throughout this tournament,” said Rexy.
“I hope they can now focus and be consistent in their performances.”
The sweet victory was also a first title for Aaron-Wooi Yik under the guidance of men’s doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, who replaced Tan Bin Shen in February.
The pair last stood on the highest podium in the World Tour Super 300 Korean Masters last November.
