Malaysia’s leading men’s doubles pair, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, are taking a measured approach ahead of the prestigious All England Open, emphasizing tactics and skills alongside physical fitness.
Recent comments from Malaysian coaching director Rexy Mainaky raised concerns over the duo’s conditioning after a surprise first-round exit at the Indonesia Masters. However, Aaron Chia believes a more balanced approach is key to success.
“Of course, we will continue to work on the physical aspect, but we also need to focus on on-court training to improve our skills and tactics. That balance is important,” Chia said after a recent training session, signaling a strategic mindset ahead of the tournament in Birmingham.
Source: Berita Harian
The Indonesia Masters defeat, a 20-22, 21-19, 21-16 loss to Danish pair Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard, was unexpected. It followed strong performances earlier in the season, including a semi-final run at the India Open and a final appearance at the Malaysia Open.
With about a month until the All England, Chia remains confident in their readiness. “We will have about a month to prepare, and we know individually what we need to improve,” he said. The pair will first compete at the Super 300 German Open from February 24 to March 1. They will use the event to adapt to European conditions and sharpen their competitive edge.
The All England Open has been a challenging venue for Chia and Soh. They reached the finals in 2019 and 2024 but narrowly missed out on the title. The world No. 2 pair remain motivated, aware of the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s performance targets while maintaining their own goals. “We roughly know what is expected of us, but at the same time, we also set our own targets,” Chia added.
As the All England approaches, Malaysia’s top men’s doubles duo are striking a balance between fitness, tactical refinement, and mental preparation. They aim to finally secure the elusive title.
