KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s men’s doubles, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, are seen in top form to be contenders at the Paris Olympics in July, despite missing the chance to end the country’s 17-year wait for the All England Championships title yesterday.
In yesterday’s final match, Aaron and Wooi Yik faced a tough battle against Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto and lost in straight sets 16-21, 16-21 at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham.
Former world number one doubles player Koo Kien Keat acknowledges that Aaron-Wooi Yik’s playing style is maturing, but they must quickly find a way to overcome their main opponent, who frequently hinders them: themselves.
“Their biggest opponent is themselves. They need to establish their own unique playing pattern and foster unwavering confidence in every match they play.
“In my opinion, it all boils down to their mindset. This is something that outsiders, including coaches, can’t directly influence. The Olympic Games are unlike the weekly tournaments; the players’ spirit and determination to win for their country are on a whole different level.
“So they should continue to bolster their confidence because at the Olympics, they’ll enter as seeded players, and there is pressure,” Kien Keat told Scoop.
During the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Aaron and Wooi Yik were not given much hope, but they managed to bring home a silver medal after defeating Hendra Setiawan-Mohamad Ahsan.
Based on Aaron-Wooi Yik’s ranking leading to Paris, this number one Malaysian pair is currently in fifth place and does not seem to face any issues in making their second appearance at the Olympics.
However, hopes of seeing two representatives qualify for the event were dashed when another national pair, Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin, fell far behind in their bid to secure their spot. – March 18, 2024