Former national coach Paulus Firman has voiced his support for Herry Iman Pierngadi's decision to temporarily split Malaysia's top men's doubles pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, describing it as a calculated move aimed at strengthening the national squad for the future.
The restructuring, which has sparked debate among badminton fans, is part of Herry's long-term strategy to build greater depth in Malaysia's men's doubles department ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Under the new combinations, Aaron will partner Yap Roy King, while Wooi Yik has been paired with Wan Arif Wan Junaidi. The revised pairings are expected to be tested at upcoming international tournaments as the coaching team evaluates their potential.
Paulus believes the decision reflects Herry's willingness to explore new options rather than relying solely on established partnerships. He said experimenting with different combinations could uncover stronger pairings and provide Malaysia with more competitive options on the international stage.
The Indonesian also pointed out that many successful badminton nations have benefited from regularly reshuffling their doubles partnerships to maximise each player's strengths. While the changes may take time to produce results, he believes they could prove valuable in the long run.
Source: Free Malaysia Today
Aaron and Wooi Yik have enjoyed considerable success together, including winning the 2022 World Championships and becoming one of Malaysia's most consistent men's doubles pairs. However, the coaching staff believes the current reshuffle offers an opportunity to assess new partnerships without closing the door on a future reunion.
Herry has previously stressed that the split is not necessarily permanent, with the pair capable of reuniting if the new combinations do not deliver the desired results.
For now, the focus will be on how quickly the new pairings adapt as Malaysia continues its preparations for the next Olympic cycle, with the coaching team hoping the bold gamble will ultimately strengthen the country's medal prospects.
