Malaysia's Man Wei Chong-Soh Wooi Yik Suffer Early Exit at Japan Open

Malaysian men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong and Soh Wooi Yik experienced a disappointing start at the Japan Open badminton championships in Tokyo, suffering a defeat in their opening match.

The newly formed partnership, which saw Wooi Yik separated from his original partner Aaron Chia by head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, struggled to find momentum and synergy on court. They lost to the world No. 18 pair, Lee Fang Chih and Lee Fang Jen of Taiwan, with a score of 23-21, 17-21, 16-21 after a 62-minute battle in the round of 32.

Other Malaysian professional pairs also faced early exits. Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong were defeated by the world No. 10 Japanese duo, Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi, in straight games. Similarly, the mixed-nationality pair of Choi Sol Gyu (South Korea) and Goh V Shem (Malaysia) lost convincingly to China's world No. 5 pair, Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang.

These early departures mean that only two Malaysian men's doubles pairs, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Mohd Rumsani and Kang Khai Xing-Aaron Tai, will continue in the tournament, competing in the second round.