As the countdown to the 2025 BWF World Championships in Paris begins, Malaysian badminton fans are daring to dream of a historic all-Malaysian men’s doubles final. And one of the nation’s top shuttlers, Soh Wooi Yik, believes that vision is well within reach.
Malaysia’s Men’s Doubles on the Rise
The optimism stems from the recent dominant performance at the Malaysian Masters, where Soh Wooi Yik and Aaron Chia, former world champions, set up an all-Malaysian showdown in the final against compatriots Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun. It was a historic moment as the latter pair clinched the title, ending a 12-year home drought, with the last all-Malaysian pair winning back in 2013 through Goh V Shem and Lim Khim Wah.
This recent success signals a rejuvenation in the men’s doubles department, one that has gained further momentum under the guidance of legendary Indonesian coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, who took over from Tan Bin Shen as Malaysia’s national men’s doubles head coach earlier this year.
Strong Results Fuel High Expectations
With their win at the Thai Open, Aaron and Wooi Yik have shown they are still one of the top pairs in the world. Meanwhile, independent pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are expected to rise to the world No. 1 ranking in the latest BWF update. This further elevates the possibility of a blockbuster all-Malaysian final in Paris, which would be unprecedented in the history of the sport.
“It’s definitely something we’re dreaming about,” said Wooi Yik when asked about the chances of an all-Malaysian final. “Right now, the competition between us is healthy, and Malaysian men’s doubles has become very strong. But we’re not stopping here. The Malaysian Masters is just one step. Our real goals are the World Championships and the Olympics.”
Malaysian Pairs Set for Paris Showdown
According to the initial list of qualifiers, Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun, and Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin have all earned their tickets to the 2025 World Championships. These three pairs are now among Malaysia’s best hopes for a podium finish.
Aaron and Wooi Yik etched their names into the record books in 2022 when they became the first-ever Malaysian pair to win the men’s doubles world title. The other two pairs are still chasing their first medals at the world level and are determined to break through in Paris.
Between the three, they have already collected five international titles this year:
- Aaron-Wooi Yik: Winners of the Asian Championships and Thailand Open
- Wei Chong-Kai Wun: Champions of the Indonesian Masters and Malaysian Masters
- Sze Fei-Izzuddin: Clinched the Indian Open
Looking Ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Wooi Yik also expressed hope that both younger pairs will be able to join him and Aaron at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. “Aaron and I have already played in two Olympics,” said Wooi Yik. “It would be amazing to have two Malaysian pairs at the next Games.”
Under current Olympic rules, each country can only send a maximum of two pairs per category, and only if both are ranked in the world’s top 8 by the end of the qualification period.
Aaron and Wooi Yik have already proven themselves on the Olympic stage, winning bronze medals in both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games, where they were the sole Malaysian men’s doubles representatives.
Chasing the Elusive Super 1000 Title
Despite their many achievements, Aaron and Wooi Yik are still chasing a Super 1000 title, the only major tournament level missing from their resume. Their title collection so far includes:
- Super 300 Korean Masters (2024)
- Super 500 Thailand Open (2024)
- Super 750 Denmark Open (2023)
“Winning a Super 1000 is definitely a goal for us,” said Wooi Yik. “With Coach Herry guiding us, we’re training harder than ever. It’s a process, and we’re learning and adapting with each match.”
Aaron added, “Coach Herry has only been working with us for a few months, so there’s still a lot of room for improvement. We’re adjusting as fast as we can to his style and strategy.”
With three strong pairs in top form, Malaysia’s prospects for the 2025 BWF World Championships are brighter than ever. Whether or not the dream of an all-Malaysian final comes true, one thing is certain: the resurgence of Malaysian men’s doubles badminton is real, and fans around the world should be watching closely.
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