Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi is racing against time to get Man Wei Chong ready for next week’s Japan Open, where the shuttler is set to make his World Tour debut with new partner Soh Wooi Yik.
With the BWF World Tour returning to Asia after the Canada Open, much of the badminton news attention in Malaysia will be on the new Man Wei Chong-Soh Wooi Yik combination in Tokyo.
The pair will begin their Japan Open campaign against Chinese Taipei’s twin brothers Lee Fang Jen and Lee Fang Chih in the men’s doubles first round at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
Man Wei Chong Still Short of Full Fitness
According to Herry, Man Wei Chong has only recently returned to training after recovering from a right knee injury. His last tournament appearance came in May during the Thomas Cup group stage in Horsens, Denmark.
After two weeks of training, Herry said Wei Chong is still not back to his best condition and is currently only around 70 to 75 percent ready.
“He is not yet at 100 percent. There are still a few areas that need to be strengthened,” Herry said.
The Indonesian coach explained that Wei Chong has been given specific training as part of his recovery and match-readiness program, especially to sharpen his reactions against fast attacking shots.
“I have arranged targeted training for him as part of the recovery plan, especially when facing sudden attacking shots. That requires quick reaction, and right now his response is still a little slow,” he added.
First Test for Man Wei Chong and Soh Wooi Yik
The Japan Open will be the first real test for Wei Chong and Soh Wooi Yik as a new men’s doubles partnership.
Wooi Yik, an Olympic bronze medalist, brings experience, court coverage, and defensive quality, while Wei Chong is known for his speed, attacking instincts, and front-court involvement.
However, with Wei Chong still working his way back from injury, the pair may need time before they can show their full potential. Their opening match against Lee Fang Jen and Lee Fang Chih will give the Malaysian coaching team an early look at their chemistry under match pressure.
Malaysia Sends Strong Men’s Doubles Group to Japan Open
Malaysia will have several men’s doubles pairs in action at the Japan Open.
Besides the new national pair of Man Wei Chong and Soh Wooi Yik, former world junior champions Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai will face China’s seventh seeds Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi in the opening round.
Junaidi Arif and Yap Roy King will take on the United States pair Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith.
Among the independent pairs, Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong face a tough opening match against Japan’s former world champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi.
Fresh from winning the Indonesia Open, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will begin against China’s Hu Ke Yuan and Lin Xiang Yi.
Meanwhile, the Malaysia-Korea combination of Goh V Shem and Choi Sol Gyu will open against China’s fourth seeds Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang.
Joint Training With Singapore Adds Variety
Herry also said Malaysia’s joint training session with Singapore’s men’s doubles squad this week has been useful preparation ahead of the Japan Open.
Former Malaysia coach Paulus Firman, now serving as Singapore’s men’s doubles coach, brought seven Singapore players to the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara for a week-long training stint.
Singapore’s players are preparing for upcoming tournaments, including the Taiwan Open from July 28 to Aug. 2 and the Korea Masters from Aug. 4 to 9.
Herry said the arrangement benefits both sides because it gives Malaysian players different opponents and new training patterns.
“My principle is simple. Paulus told me he wanted his players to follow the training plan I had arranged for this week,” Herry said.
“We are preparing for next week’s Japan Open, where Malaysia will have three national pairs competing. Singapore does not have players in the Japan Open, but they are preparing for the Taiwan Open and still have about two weeks before that tournament.”
“When my players train against different opponents, they naturally become more focused. Having another team involved brings more variation and improves the quality of training,” he added.
Japan Open a Key Early Test for Malaysia’s New Doubles Direction
The Japan Open will provide an important first look at Malaysia’s reshuffled men’s doubles structure, especially the new Man Wei Chong-Soh Wooi Yik partnership.
For now, the main concern is Wei Chong’s physical condition. At only 70 to 75 percent, he may not yet be able to play at full speed, but Tokyo will give him and Wooi Yik a chance to start building match understanding.
For Malaysian badminton fans, the focus will be on whether this new pairing can show enough promise to justify a longer trial. The results may not tell the full story immediately, but the Japan Open will offer the first signs of what this partnership could become.
