KUALA LUMPUR: National men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi believes the upcoming All England Championships will serve as the ideal proving ground for Malaysia’s emerging pair Kang Khai Xing–Aaron Tai as they step up to compete at the highest level of international badminton.
The veteran coach, widely known in badminton circles as the “Fire Dragon,” said exposure at the world’s oldest badminton tournament is essential for the long-term development of the young duo, who are viewed as part of Malaysia’s next generation in men’s doubles.
“We see Khai Xing and Aaron as a future pairing for the national team. Competing at the All England is extremely important for their growth,” Herry said after a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM).
“They do not often get opportunities to face the very best pairs in the world, especially those consistently ranked in the top 10. This tournament will give us a clear picture of where they are,” he added.
Herry acknowledged that the pair—both crowned world junior champions in 2024—have shown encouraging improvement in recent months. However, he stressed that there is still work to be done, particularly for Kang Khai Xing, before they can compete consistently at elite level.
“In my view, Aaron is already capable of playing at a high standard. Khai Xing, however, needs to continue improving, especially in terms of speed and physical strength,” he explained.
Currently ranked world No. 35, the Malaysian combination has been given a key target: to maintain performance consistency during the first six months of the season. Doing so would strengthen their case for regular participation in higher-tier World Tour events, including Super 500 and Super 750 tournaments.
Herry also did not rule out possible changes should the pair fall short of expectations within the given timeframe.
“If the progress is not there, we have to be realistic and evaluate our options. Performance and consistency will determine the next step,” he said.
Despite their relative inexperience at top-tier events, Kang Khai Xing–Aaron Tai already have three World Tour titles to their name: the Malaysia Super 100, the Syed Modi International (Super 300), and the Guwahati Masters (Super 100).
The All England Championships next month will therefore represent a significant milestone—not only in testing their competitiveness against the world’s best, but also in shaping their future trajectory within Malaysia’s men’s doubles setup.
