KUALA LUMPUR — Despite addressing salary demands and appointing world-class coaches, Malaysia’s top doubles pairs continue to fall short in overcoming the final hurdle at the highest level.
Today, all three national doubles pairs—Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles), Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah (women’s doubles), and Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles)—failed to progress beyond the semi-finals of the Super 750 India Open in New Delhi.
In the women’s doubles, Pearly and Thinaah were defeated 21-18, 21-18 by South Korea’s Kim Hye-jeong and Kong Hee-yong. Meanwhile, in the mixed doubles, Tang Jie and Ee Wei lost 21-17, 21-15 to France’s Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue.
Men’s doubles pair and 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medallists Aaron and Wooi Yik narrowly lost 22-20, 21-19 to South Korea’s Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae.
For Aaron and Wooi Yik, as well as Tang Jie and Ee Wei, it was their second consecutive semi-final appearance this year. However, Pearly and Thinaah were eliminated in the first round of the Super 1000 Malaysia Open last week.
Independent mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai also fell short, losing 18-21, 21-19, 21-9 to China’s Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin in their semi-final clash.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has significantly strengthened its coaching ranks in recent years.
Former international Rosman Razak was brought in for a third stint last year to head the women’s doubles department. Prior to that, Indonesian former world champion Nova Widianto was tasked to lead the mixed doubles squad.
This year, BAM appointed legendary men’s doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, widely known as Herry IP, to lead the men’s doubles department following the departure of Tan Bin Shen.
However, questions remain: Can these top coaches, alongside BAM coaching director Rexy Mainaky, identify and address the issues holding Malaysian players back?
Post-match interviews with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) suggest a recurring theme: players struggle with “consistency” and “failing to control the game during crucial moments.”
These factors continue to be the Achilles’ heel for Malaysian pairs, even under the guidance of highly reputed coaches.
It also raises another question: Could the problem lie beyond coaching? Many Malaysian coaches have found success overseas, suggesting the issue may be systemic rather than individual.
Regardless, a solution is urgently needed. The next major assignment for the national camp is the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships in February, which will also serve as the qualifying event for the Sudirman Cup in May.
The heat is on for BAM to ensure its players overcome these challenges and start delivering consistent results on the world stage. Failure to do so could leave the national body with no choice but to make difficult decisions. — January 18, 2025