Kuala Lumpur: The main challenge for Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, at the Paris 2024 Olympics lies in potentially facing the world’s top three pairs in the semifinals.
National badminton legend Razif Sidek believes that reaching the finals would significantly increase Malaysia’s chances of winning its first Olympic gold medal.
According to Razif, the fourth-ranked Malaysian pair should comfortably progress through Group A, despite the main competition from China’s top seeds, Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang.
“In my view, they are the only pair capable of bringing home a medal for Malaysia,” Razif told Malaysian media. “Their path to the quarterfinals seems manageable, and if they face no major hurdles, I believe Aaron-Wooi Yik can secure the gold, though much depends on their performance in the semifinals.”
In the semifinals, they may face formidable pairs such as India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, or Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto. These encounters are expected to heat up the badminton action at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena.
The Malaysian pair has a record of two wins against the Chinese duo, eight wins out of eleven encounters with the Indian pair, and four wins out of eight against the Indonesian pair.
Razif, who, along with his brother Jalani Sidek, was Malaysia’s first Olympic medalist in 1992, emphasized that fitness will be crucial for Chia/Soh’s success in Paris. “Their style of play is strong, but their fitness needs to be top-notch to maintain confidence,” he said.
Chia/Soh are drawn in Group A with Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang, Ben Lane-Sean Vendy (England), and Adam Dong-Nyl Yakura (Canada). Only the top two pairs from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.
Razif praised the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) for arranging simulation matches and creating a competitive atmosphere similar to the Paris 2024 setting at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara. BAM also organized a final week-long training camp in Lille, 219 kilometers from Paris, before moving into the Olympic Village.
Representing Malaysia at the Paris Olympics are women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan/M. Thinaah, mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei, men’s singles players Lee Zii Jia and women’s singles player Goh Jin Wei.
The Paris 2024 Olympics will take place from July 26 to August 11.
