Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, are not ready to let their recent disappointment slide. After a painful loss to Japan’s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi at the 2025 Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, the world No. 4 duo has made it clear: they are aiming for a strong comeback and are more determined than ever to turn the tide in future matchups on the Badminton World Tour.
During the crucial group stage clash against Japan, Aaron and Wooi Yik were given the responsibility to secure Malaysia’s winning point. Instead, they faced a familiar hurdle — a resilient Hoki-Kobayashi pairing that has consistently proven to be a thorn in their side. The Malaysians fought hard but ultimately fell 12-21, 22-20, 23-21 in a tense three-game thriller. With this result, their head-to-head record against the Japanese pair has now worsened to nine losses and just two victories.
The loss was a bitter pill to swallow, not only because it contributed to Malaysia’s narrow 3-2 defeat. But also because it allowed Japan to top the group. As a result, Malaysia were pitted against tournament favourites China in the quarter-finals — a daunting challenge that ended in a swift 3-0 defeat.
Controversial Lineup Decision Raises Eyebrows
The decision to field Aaron-Wooi Yik instead of the higher-ranked Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin. Who had recently beaten the same Japanese pair in the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC). Raised questions among fans and analysts alike. Many speculated that the coaching staff’s decision was driven by long-term confidence in Aaron and Wooi Yik’s chemistry and experience. But in hindsight, the gamble didn’t pay off.
However, Aaron isn’t letting the criticism get to him. Upon returning to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) from Xiamen, he shared his thoughts with the media.
“We genuinely believed we could win that match. On paper and based on our preparations, we had the upper hand. But we couldn’t close it out,” said Aaron. “It’s frustrating because we had the momentum at times, but perhaps our desire to finally beat them led to overthinking during key moments.”
Aaron also credited Hoki-Kobayashi’s mental strength and consistency, noting that their confidence may stem from their superior head-to-head record.
“Mentally, they’re tough. That’s something we need to overcome. When you’ve lost so many times to the same pair, it does affect you psychologically — but we’re working on it. We’ll be better prepared next time.”
The Road to Redemption Starts Now
Despite the loss, Aaron believes they are not far off from turning the tables. The 2024/25 season has seen them make progress, including a historic first Asian title at the BAC. In fact, it was in Ningbo — the very tournament where Kobayashi made his return from a knee injury — that Aaron-Wooi Yik showed their growth and potential to dominate.
“We gave everything on the court. We trained hard, we studied their game, and our strategies were solid,” Aaron continued. “Now it’s about execution and mental clarity during pressure points. We know where we fell short and what needs to be done.”
The duo won’t have to wait long for another chance. Their next opportunity could come as soon as the Malaysia Masters, where Hoki-Kobayashi are also confirmed to play. Before that, Aaron-Wooi Yik will be competing in the Thailand Open (May 13–18), giving them another platform to regain momentum.
Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik Focused on the Bigger Picture
While this latest defeat stings, Aaron and Wooi Yik are staying focused on their long-term goal. Maintaining consistency, climbing the rankings, and peaking at major events. They remain one of Malaysia’s brightest hopes for Olympic and World Championship success. And setbacks like these only serve to sharpen their focus.
“We’re not done yet. One loss won’t define us. In fact, it fuels our motivation to come back stronger,” said Aaron, closing with quiet confidence.
With tournaments lined up and form trending upward, fans can expect a fiery rematch — and perhaps. Redemption — when these two world-class pairs cross paths again.
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