KUALA LUMPUR — There is no denying that lady luck has smiled graciously on national men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.
Despite being knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Super 750 China Masters yesterday — losing 25-23, 17-21, 21-12 to China’s He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu — Aaron and Wooi Yik still managed to qualify for the season-ending World Tour Finals by the skin of their teeth.
Adding to their good fortune, independent compatriots Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani fell 18-21, 21-19, 23-21 to Indonesia’s Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani.
The result ensured Aaron and Wooi Yik retained their status as Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair — a position they have held since April 2019.
Aaron was at a loss for words when contacted by Scoop. Throughout the week, he had been consistent in telling the Badminton World Federation (BWF) that he was leaving everything to fate.
This uncertainty stemmed from the duo’s recent struggles, largely due to Wooi Yik’s foot fracture, which he sustained after they successfully defended their bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in August.
Returning to competition at the Arctic Open last month, the former world champions faced a slim chance of qualifying for the US$2.5 million (RM11.88 million) World Tour Finals in Hangzhou next month.
The prestigious BWF event admits only the top eight singles players and pairs.
“I don’t know what to say; it feels like God has a special plan for us. We just need to go with the flow and see it through,” said Aaron.
Initially, the duo needed to reach the China Masters semi-finals to qualify on merit.
However, Japan’s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi’s quarter-final loss — 20-22, 21-15, 21-14 — to South Korea’s Jin Yong and Seo Seung Jae handed Aaron and Wooi Yik the final ticket to Hangzhou.
Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) coaching director Rexy Mainaky acknowledged that luck played a significant role in their qualification but warned against complacency.
“This is sport, and this is what makes it exciting — it’s unpredictable,” said Rexy.
“Had Sze Fei and Izzuddin won their match last night, they would have overtaken Aaron and Wooi Yik to become Malaysia’s number one pair.
“Is that a bad thing? Not at all. It’s good because it pushes everyone to motivate each other to do better.
“Just like in football, league standings change every week. There are winners and losers, but you’ve got to roll with the punches and always aim to improve.”
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, also exited in the quarter-finals last night, losing 21-16, 21-17 to China’s Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning.
Despite their defeat, the world number six women’s doubles team has also secured a spot in the World Tour Finals. — November 23, 2024