Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik are set to resume their partnership on a regular basis at the Denmark Open in Odense, and their reunion will begin with a demanding first-round match against Japan’s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi.
The Malaysian world No. 4 pair spent much of the past four months competing with different partners after the Badminton Association of Malaysia reshuffled its men’s doubles combinations in June.
Aaron and Soh did briefly reunite for the World Championships in New Delhi in August, where they immediately demonstrated their enduring chemistry by finishing as runners-up. Following the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, they are now returning to their established partnership for the next phase of the season.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik Face Tough Denmark Open Opener
Their first assignment in Odense is anything but straightforward.
Hoki and Kobayashi are former world champions, having captured the men’s doubles title in 2021, and they also hold a 9-3 advantage over Aaron-Soh in their previous meetings.
- Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik: Malaysia, world No. 4
- First-round opponents: Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi of Japan
- Hoki-Kobayashi achievement: 2021 world champions
- Head-to-head: Hoki-Kobayashi lead 9-3
The difficult opening draw should provide an immediate indication of how quickly the Malaysians can restore their rhythm after months of experimentation.
World Championships Reunion Produced Immediate Results
Despite being separated for several tournaments, Aaron and Soh showed at the World Championships that their long-standing partnership remains capable of challenging the best pairs in international badminton.
They reached the final in New Delhi and finished with the silver medal, reinforcing the argument that their familiarity, defensive understanding and attacking rotation remain valuable at the highest level.
That performance ultimately stood out during a period when Malaysia was testing several alternative men’s doubles combinations.
Aaron Chia Tested With Several Partners
During the reshuffle, Aaron played with multiple partners as Malaysia’s coaches explored different combinations.
He competed alongside Aaron Tai, Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun at different stages, gaining experience with players who brought different speeds and styles to the court.
At the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Aaron partnered Tee Kai Wun, but the combination was eliminated in the second round of the individual men’s doubles event.
That tournament marked the final major stage of the experiment before Aaron and Soh returned to their original partnership.
Soh Wooi Yik Also Competed With New Partners
Soh was also given several new combinations during the trial period.
He partnered Man Wei Chong across four tournaments and later teamed up with young Aaron Tai at the China Masters.
The experiments gave Malaysia’s coaching staff an opportunity to assess both players outside the familiar Aaron-Soh system while also providing younger doubles players with valuable experience alongside established internationals.
Denmark Open Marks Start of Renewed Partnership
The Denmark Open now represents a fresh beginning for Aaron and Soh as a regular pair.
Having already won a World Championships title in 2022, Olympic bronze medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and another World Championships silver in 2026, the Malaysians remain one of the country’s most accomplished active badminton partnerships.
Their immediate challenge will be rediscovering consistency as they return to the BWF World Tour together.
Strong Malaysian Men’s Doubles Presence in Odense
Malaysia will have several other combinations competing in the Denmark Open men’s doubles draw.
Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will begin against fellow Malaysians Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong in an all-Malaysian first-round encounter.
Young combination Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King and professional pair Chia Wei Jie-Teo Ee Yi will also carry Malaysia’s challenge in Odense.
Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, currently ranked world No. 12, are scheduled to face Denmark’s Christian Faust Kjaer and Rasmus Kjaer.
- Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin Rumsani vs Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub/Tan Wee Kiong
- Aaron Tai/Yap Roy King – also entered
- Chia Wei Jie/Teo Ee Yi – also entered
- Man Wei Chong/Tee Kai Wun vs Christian Faust Kjaer/Rasmus Kjaer
Aaron-Soh Begin Next Chapter Against Familiar Rivals
For Aaron and Soh, the Denmark Open is more than another tournament. It marks the beginning of their renewed partnership after months of experimentation within Malaysia’s men’s doubles program.
Facing Hoki and Kobayashi immediately gives them a difficult but meaningful test. A strong performance against the former world champions would be an encouraging first step as the Malaysians rebuild their partnership for the next major phase of the badminton season.
