Aaron Chia believes Malaysia’s elite men’s doubles players remain stronger with their original partners despite a recent shake-up by the national coaching team.
Aaron Chia was not only referring to his partnership with Soh Wooi Yik, who reached the World Championship final in New Delhi last week, but also Man Wei Chong / Tee Kai Wun and Wan Arif Wan Junaidi / Yap Roy King.
Although Aaron accepts the coaches’ decision to try a variety of different combinations over the next few months, he personally feels that the initial partnership is still the strongest.
“Personally, when I look at it, whether I partner with Man or Arif, I still feel that our initial partnership is stronger,” said Aaron.
“But I don’t think the coaches changed the partnerships because they felt we weren’t strong enough. Maybe they just wanted to see how different combinations worked because we’ve all been with our starting partners for a few years.”
“The coaches also said that nothing is permanent yet. We will try this combination over the next few months and see how it goes as Olympic qualifying starts next year. For now, we just need to focus on ourselves.”
In New Delhi, Arif-Roy King managed to create a surprise by beating Indonesia’s 12th seed, Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin, in the second round before giving fierce resistance to India’s fifth seed, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty, in a three-set defeat in the third round.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun also enjoyed a good run but were forced to withdraw from their third round match against Aaron-Wooi Yik after Kai Wun came down with diarrhea and fever.
Aaron Chia will next partner Wei Chong at the China Masters in Shenzhen from September 1-6, while Wooi Yik will partner Aaron Tai. Roy King will be paired with Kai Wun, while Arif will again be paired with Kang Khai Xing.
Aaron Chia said he would welcome a return to the original partnership if the coaches decide to do so next year before qualifying for the Los Angeles Olympics begins in May 2027. For Aaron, the main target remains winning a gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“If it’s possible and the coaches say we can continue with our original partners, of course. If the coaches’ ultimate plan is for us all to return to our original partnerships for Los Angeles, I don’t see a problem with that. We still have a goal of the Olympics and hopefully we can achieve that.”
Article Tag: soh wooi yik, aaron chia, man wei chong, yap roy king, tee kai wun, wan arif junaidi, china masters 2026
Published by Ligaolahraga.com at https://www.ligaolahraga.com/badminton/jelang-china-masters-aaron-chia-yakin-patangan-baru-akan-cepatn-kuat