KUALA LUMPUR – The US$2.5million (RM11.03 million) season-ending World Tour Finals is not just about intense badminton action, but the annual BWF Gala Dinner, set to take place in Hangzhou tomorrow – two days before the tournament begins – is also an opportunity for players to showcase their style.
Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, are among those looking to make a statement, both on and off the court.
Having recently defended their bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the world number fives are eager to end their season on a high.
Despite their inconsistent form since the Olympics in August, the pair defied expectations to secure a spot in the top eight of the Race to Finals standings, earning them a place in the prestigious tournament.
To celebrate the achievement, Aaron and Wooi Yik, along with national men’s doubles coach Tan Bin Shen, turned to renowned Malaysian tailor Ian Chang of Bespoked for custom-made suits.
Speaking to Scoop, Bin Shen revealed this is his first experience with a bespoke suit.
“Apart from wanting to look their best, the BWF Gala Dinner always has a theme.
“This year, it’s black suits. Aaron and Wooi Yik had theirs made first and convinced me to do the same,” said Bin Shen.
“Ian graciously sponsored these suits for us. They even have unique details, like shuttlecock and racket designs sewn inside. Truly top-class craftsmanship.”
The Gala Dinner will also feature the induction of two badminton legends – China’s Chen Long and South Korea’s Lee Yong Dae – into the BWF Hall of Fame, alongside award presentations for the sport’s top players.
On the court, Aaron and Wooi Yik have been drawn in Group B of the men’s doubles event, where they will face tough competition from China’s He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu, and two Indonesian duos – Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, as well as Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani.
Group A features independent Malaysian pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who will compete against Denmark’s Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, Chinese Taipei’s Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po Hsuan, and their compatriots Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin. The latter will be making their final appearance as a pair, following Lee Yang’s retirement.
Commenting on the draw, Bin Shen said that this is the best of the best from the World Tour this year. The standard is the same across the board.
“To win, you need to play consistently and stay focused in every match,” he said.
The top two pairs from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
In the women’s doubles, Malaysia’s Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah are in Group A with China’s Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning, Japan’s Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida, and India’s debutants Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela.
Meanwhile, in the mixed doubles, Malaysia’s Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, as well as Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai, are drawn in Group B. Their opponents include Indonesia’s Dejan Ferdinansyah and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja, and Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito. – December 8, 2024