Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik's impressive World Championships run has reignited questions over their future, with coach Herry Iman Pierngadi insisting their partnership decision will only come at the end of the year.
Key Points in the Badminton Standoff:
- Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik reached the World Championships final in New Delhi after stunning world No. 1 pair Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae in the semi-finals.
- Despite their silver-medal finish, Herry Iman Pierngadi says their strong performance does not guarantee a permanent reunion.
- Aaron-Wooi Yik have openly considered leaving the national setup and turning independent if they are permanently split.
- The pair remain determined to stay together and pursue Malaysia's first Olympic badminton gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Herry Keeps Aaron-Wooi Yik Reunion on Hold
Questions are mounting over whether a rift could be developing between world No. 4 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and national men's doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi.
Fresh from winning silver at the World Championships in New Delhi, Aaron-Wooi Yik have openly admitted they are weighing their options, including potentially leaving the national setup to turn independent if they are permanently split. Herry, however, has made it clear that their impressive World Championships campaign is not an automatic ticket to a permanent reunion.
The Indonesian coach maintains that the reshuffle is intended to freshen up Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM)'s men's doubles combinations. Meanwhile, Aaron-Wooi Yik have made their own preference clear: they want to remain together and continue their pursuit of Malaysia's first Olympic gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Final Decision Will Come at End of Year
Herry acknowledged that Aaron-Wooi Yik's performance in New Delhi was impressive but stressed that their future together will only be determined after a comprehensive assessment at the end of the year.
The pair have been tested with different partners since last month before being reunited for the World Championships. They went all the way to the final, where they eventually lost to China's world No. 3 Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang on Sunday. Now, they will be split again as part of the original plan for the national men's doubles shake-up.
"Yes, we still need to assess the results of their partnerships with the other players. Towards the end of the year, we'll be able to determine which partnerships will remain and which will not," Herry said at KLIA on Tuesday. "So, only at the end of the year can we make a final decision."
BAM Still Assessing Different Combinations
The coaching team remains focused on assessing the players' compatibility and performances with different partners before settling on the best combinations for the national men's doubles squad.
Herry believes the reshuffle can offer valuable benefits, particularly by allowing players to gain experience alongside different teammates.
"Of course, these changes in partnerships bring many positive benefits for the players," he said. "The doubles players are gaining from this move."
World Championships Run Keeps Reunion Door Open
Despite his stance on the reshuffle, Herry had plenty of praise for Aaron-Wooi Yik's performance in New Delhi. The pair not only reached the final but also produced one of their biggest wins of the tournament by defeating South Korea's world No. 1 combination Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae in the semi-finals.
"Even though they did not win the title, I think the result they achieved was quite good. But, of course, it would have been even better if they had won the title."
Herry also highlighted how quickly the pair rediscovered their rhythm despite being separated for several tournaments.
"Even though they were not paired together for a few tournaments, when they were reunited, they were still able to find their rhythm because they have been together for so long."
Aaron-Wooi Yik's Chemistry Remains Undeniable
Herry reiterated that the reshuffle is not simply about creating new partnerships. It is also designed to expose the players to different teammates and provide them with broader experience.
"Of course, these changes in partnerships bring a lot of positive things for the players," he said.
Still, Aaron-Wooi Yik's strong World Championships showing provided a significant reminder that their chemistry remains intact despite the recent reshuffle.
Their silver-medal run has therefore kept the possibility of a reunion alive, with the pair's long-term future set to become clearer when BAM conducts its comprehensive assessment towards the end of the year.
