New Delhi, India: Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik are just one victory away from securing their third BWF World Championships medal after advancing to the men’s doubles quarterfinals of the 2026 edition in New Delhi.
The Malaysian world No. 4 pair progressed without having to take the court in the third round after compatriots Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun withdrew before their scheduled all-Malaysian encounter at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky confirmed that Tee was unable to compete after suffering from diarrhea, forcing Man and Tee to concede the match.
The walkover moves Aaron and Soh into the last eight, where one more victory would guarantee them at least a bronze medal at the World Championships.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik One Victory Away From Another World Medal
Aaron and Soh already have a special history at badminton’s biggest individual championship.
They became Malaysia’s first badminton world champions when they captured the men’s doubles title at the 2022 World Championships in Tokyo.
A year later, they added a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships in Copenhagen.
They also reached the quarterfinals at the previous edition, and their latest run in New Delhi has once again placed them on the doorstep of the medal rounds.
A victory in their next match would guarantee Aaron and Soh at least their third World Championships medal together.
- 2022 World Championships: Gold medal
- 2023 World Championships: Bronze medal
- 2026 World Championships: Quarterfinalists, one victory away from another medal
Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun Forced to Withdraw
The third-round match had been expected to provide an intriguing all-Malaysian battle between two combinations that have featured prominently during Malaysia’s recent men’s doubles restructuring.
Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun had reached the third round after defeating China’s Huang Di and Liu Yang 21-14, 21-15.
However, their campaign came to an unfortunate end before they could face Aaron and Soh after Tee became unwell.
Rexy said the focus now is on Aaron and Soh taking advantage of their opportunity and producing their best badminton in the quarterfinals.
“Hopefully they play well and just give their best performance.”
Aaron-Soh Continue Reunion at World Championships
The tournament has also marked a return to their original partnership after the Malaysian coaching team temporarily separated Aaron and Soh as part of a wider experiment with new men’s doubles combinations.
Aaron spent time partnering Aaron Tai, while Soh also competed with different national teammates before the former world champions reunited for New Delhi.
Their first match back together at the World Championships was far from easy.
Aaron and Soh had to recover from a game down in the second round before defeating Thailand’s Peeratchai Sukphun and Pakkapon Teeraratsakul 15-21, 21-11, 21-18 in 58 minutes.
They will now enter the quarterfinals with an additional day of physical recovery after advancing through the third round without playing.
Aaron-Soh Await Quarterfinal Opponents
The Malaysians are set to face the winner of the match between China’s Hu Ke Yuan and Lin Xiang Yi and Denmark’s 13th-seeded Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard.
Regardless of which partnership advances, Aaron and Soh will know exactly what is at stake.
Victory would guarantee another World Championships medal and further strengthen their record at an event where they have consistently produced some of their best performances.
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin March Into Quarterfinals
Malaysia also received excellent badminton news from professional pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who booked their own place in the men’s doubles quarterfinals.
The sixth-seeded Malaysians defeated Chinese Taipei’s 14th seeds Chiu Hsiang Chieh and Wang Chi-Lin 21-17, 21-17.
Sze Fei and Izzuddin maintained control in both games and were able to close out the important points without being forced into a decider.
- Winners: Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin Rumsani of Malaysia
- Defeated: Chiu Hsiang Chieh/Wang Chi-Lin of Chinese Taipei
- Score: 21-17, 21-17
- Round: Men’s doubles round of 16
Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae Await Sze Fei-Izzuddin
Sze Fei and Izzuddin now face one of the toughest possible tests in the quarterfinals when they take on South Korea’s top seeds Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae.
Kim and Seo booked their place in the last eight with a commanding straight-game victory over England’s 10th seeds Ben Lane and Sean Vendy.
The Korean pair won 21-13, 21-16 to maintain their title challenge.
- Winners: Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae of South Korea
- Defeated: Ben Lane/Sean Vendy of England
- Score: 21-13, 21-16
- Quarterfinal: Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae vs Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin Rumsani
The quarterfinal is scheduled for August 21 on Court 2 and is estimated to begin at around 4:20 p.m.
Alwi Farhan Ends Ayush Shetty’s Run
In men’s singles, Indonesia’s 11th seed Alwi Farhan ended the impressive campaign of India’s Ayush Shetty with a straight-game victory.
Alwi defeated the home player 21-19, 21-11 to secure his place in the quarterfinals.
The opening game was closely contested, but after edging it 21-19, the Indonesian took much firmer control of the second and allowed Shetty only 11 points.
- Winner: Alwi Farhan of Indonesia
- Defeated: Ayush Shetty of India
- Score: 21-19, 21-11
Chou Tien Chen Cruises Past Yushi Tanaka
Chinese Taipei’s sixth seed Chou Tien Chen also reached the men’s singles quarterfinals with a convincing performance against Japan’s Yushi Tanaka.
Chou won 21-14, 21-9, controlling both games and never allowing the Japanese player to seriously threaten his progress.
- Winner: Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei
- Defeated: Yushi Tanaka of Japan
- Score: 21-14, 21-9
- Quarterfinal opponent: Alwi Farhan of Indonesia
Chou and Alwi are scheduled to meet in the quarterfinals on August 21, with their match estimated to begin around 6 p.m. on Court 2.
Kunlavut Vitidsarn Ends Garret Tan’s Breakthrough Run
American teenager Garret Tan’s memorable World Championships campaign came to an end against Thailand’s second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
Tan had become one of the tournament’s biggest stories after the world No. 92 stunned India’s Lakshya Sen 21-19, 19-21, 21-17 in the previous round.
Kunlavut, however, proved too strong in the round of 16.
The Thai star defeated Tan 21-10, 21-10 to advance comfortably into the last eight.
- Winner: Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand
- Defeated: Garret Tan of the United States
- Score: 21-10, 21-10
Although Tan’s run ended, defeating Lakshya in his first senior World Championships ensured that the 18-year-old American leaves New Delhi with one of the most significant victories of his young career.
Alex Lanier Sets Up Quarterfinal Against Kunlavut
France’s ninth seed Alex Lanier continued his own strong tournament by defeating Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus 21-17, 21-12.
Lanier was pushed harder in the opening game but pulled away more comfortably in the second to secure his quarterfinal place.
- Winner: Alex Lanier of France
- Defeated: Ng Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong
- Score: 21-17, 21-12
- Quarterfinal opponent: Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand
Lanier and Kunlavut are scheduled to meet on August 21 on Court 2, with the match estimated to begin around 2:40 p.m.
Victor Lai Knocks Out Loh Kean Yew
Canada’s Victor Lai continued an impressive World Championships campaign by eliminating Singapore’s 13th seed Loh Kean Yew.
The seventh-seeded Canadian edged a tight opening game 22-20 before taking the second 21-18 to complete the straight-game victory.
- Winner: Victor Lai of Canada
- Defeated: Loh Kean Yew of Singapore
- Score: 22-20, 21-18
Lai’s reward is a quarterfinal against Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke.
Rasmus Gemke Stuns Jonatan Christie
Gemke produced one of the notable men’s singles results of the round by eliminating Indonesia’s third seed Jonatan Christie.
Christie made a dominant start and took the opening game 21-11, but Gemke responded strongly.
The Dane won the second 21-13 before completing the comeback with a 21-18 victory in the deciding game.
- Winner: Rasmus Gemke of Denmark
- Defeated: Jonatan Christie of Indonesia
- Score: 11-21, 21-13, 21-18
- Quarterfinal opponent: Victor Lai of Canada
Victor Lai and Gemke are scheduled to meet on Court 1 on August 21, with the match estimated to begin around 2:40 p.m.
2026 World Championships Men’s Singles Quarterfinals Take Shape
The latest results have created several intriguing badminton matchups in the men’s singles quarterfinals.
- Alwi Farhan of Indonesia vs Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei
- Alex Lanier of France vs Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand
- Victor Lai of Canada vs Rasmus Gemke of Denmark
With several leading contenders already eliminated earlier in the tournament, the men’s singles draw remains wide open heading into the last eight.
Malaysia Targets Multiple Men’s Doubles Medals
For Malaysian badminton, attention now turns firmly toward the men’s doubles quarterfinals.
Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik are one victory away from adding a third World Championships medal to the gold they captured in 2022 and the bronze they earned in 2023.
At the same time, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have an opportunity to secure a medal of their own, although standing in their way are top seeds Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae.
With two Malaysian partnerships among the last eight, the country remains firmly involved in the battle for the men’s doubles medals in New Delhi.
For Aaron and Soh, another quarterfinal has brought them back to a familiar position. One more victory would put them on the World Championships podium for the third time and add another major achievement to one of the most successful men’s doubles partnerships in Malaysian badminton history.
