KUALA LUMPUR – Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) men’s doubles head coach Tan Bin Shen was openly critical today, saying that Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik’s recent dip in form was due to their holiday and extended time off the court after the Paris Olympics.
Setting aside current rankings and focusing solely on recent performances, Bin Shen admitted that independent duo Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have surpassed their former teammates as the nation’s best men’s doubles pair.
While world number six Aaron and Wooi Yik are still regaining their form after defending their bronze medal at the Paris Games in August, world number eight Sze Fei and Izzuddin have gone on to claim three major World Tour titles – the Super 1000 China Open, Super 750 Japan Open, and Super 500 Arctic Open.
Sze Fei and Izzuddin, who departed from the national setup in September, also joined badminton’s elite by completing the full collection of World Tour titles.
“At the moment, based on form and performance, Sze Fei and Izzuddin are better than Aaron and Wooi Yik. In fact, they peaked at the right time.
“Aaron and Wooi Yik’s form declined after the Olympics because they wanted a break, to go on holiday and relax. Wooi Yik was also dealing with an injury, so they were off the court for a while.
“I understand that players need a break after the Olympics because it’s challenging to maintain top form, but they (Aaron and Wooi Yik) can’t continue like this – there must be a limit.
“We need to sit down and re-evaluate our direction moving forward. We need to see performance first because right now, it’s not up to standard,” Bin Shen told reporters today.
Bin Shen further challenged former world champions Aaron and Wooi Yik to reclaim their top performance in the last three tournaments of the year: the Super 300 Korea Masters, Super 500 Kumamoto Masters, and Super 750 China Masters.
“They need to use these next three tournaments to prove they are back.
“After the Olympics, they took an extended break and when they returned to compete in Europe, they lost their rhythm and momentum.
“They need to catch up and rediscover their touch, or else they’re just playing for the sake of it,” added Bin Shen.
Separately, Bin Shen acknowledged that it will be tough for Aaron and Wooi Yik, as well as Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, to qualify for the season-ending World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China.
“Wei Chong and Kai Wun still need very strong results in their remaining tournaments to qualify, at least semi-finals or better. Meanwhile, Aaron and Wooi Yik would need to win a title if they want a chance,” said Bin Shen.
To qualify for the US$2.5 million World Tour Finals, players and pairs must finish in the top eight of the Race to Finals standings by the end of the World Tour season.
Currently, Wei Chong and Kai Wun are ranked seventh on the list, while Aaron and Wooi Yik sit five places lower, in 12th position. – October 29, 2024