Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik reaffirmed their status as Malaysia’s dependable doubles pair by clinching the gold medal at the Asian Championships.
Just a month after a disappointing first-round exit at the All-England, the duo bounced back with a strong mindset to secure their first-ever Asian title.
The 2022 world champions capped a stellar campaign by defeating China’s world No. 16 pair, Chen Boyang and Liu Yi, 21-19, 21-17 in the final held at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium.
Ranked sixth in the world, Aaron and Wooi Yik put on a solid display to edge past the home favourites in a competitive 47-minute showdown.
After finishing second in 2022 to Indonesia’s Pramudya Kusumawardana and Yeremia Rambitan, the pair redeemed themselves in style and ended an 18-year drought for Malaysia in the men’s doubles event—last won by Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah in 2007.
Their path to the top was impressive, as they won every match in straight games, including dominant wins over top-ranked Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto in the quarter-finals and China’s Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang in the semis.
Facing Boyang and Liu Yi in the final was no easy feat, especially after the Malaysians were upset by the same pair in the Denmark Open quarters last year. The Chinese duo had also knocked out Malaysia’s world No. 2 pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Indonesia’s world No. 8 team on their way to the final.
But Aaron and Wooi Yik’s experience and attacking game proved decisive this time, allowing them to overcome the challenge and lift the title.
They were also the only Malaysian representatives to make it past the quarter-finals, once again proving their ability to deliver under pressure.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky praised the duo and expressed hope they’ll maintain this momentum.
“First of all, thank God for this title. Aaron and Wooi Yik were steady throughout the tournament,” said Rexy. “Now, I hope they stay focused and consistent.”
This triumph also marks their first title under the guidance of new coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, who took over from Tan Bin Shen in February. The duo’s last title before this was the Korean Masters (World Tour Super 300) in November.
