Split top doubles pair for Olympic gold: Malaysia Badminton Association

In a significant strategic gamble, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is contemplating breaking up its top men's doubles pair, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, in a determined effort to secure the nation's first Olympic gold medal in badminton at the 2028 Games. The bold proposal has been discussed among key figures within BAM, including Performance Committee Chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei, National Doubles Coaching Director Rexy Mainaky, and Head Coach Herry Iman Pierngadi.

BAM's leadership believes in proactively experimenting with new partnerships rather than waiting until the last minute. The goal is to identify a combination with the highest potential to win Olympic gold. Lee Chong Wei emphasized the need for courage in changing pairings, suggesting that trials for new combinations would commence after the Indonesia Open, potentially including tournaments in Japan, Korea, Denmark, and France.

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We have to be brave in changing partners. We will test after the Indonesia Open, perhaps in Japan, Korea, Denmark, and France. The coaches will decide who partners whom.

Among the potential new pairings being considered is pairing Aaron Chia with emerging talent Tee Kai Wun, while Soh Wooi Yik could team up with Man Wei Chong. These combinations would be tested over several tournaments as part of a long-term assessment. Lee stressed the importance of starting these experiments sooner rather than later, particularly with the 2028 Olympic qualification year approaching. He stated that the focus should be on identifying which partnership can deliver the country's first Olympic gold.

However, the current partnership of Chia and Wooi Yik will remain intact for crucial upcoming tournaments, including the World Championships and the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, to ensure they qualify for these events. This strategic split aims to optimize the chances of achieving the ultimate goal of an Olympic gold medal, reflecting a high-stakes approach to Malaysia's badminton aspirations.

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We shouldn't wait until the last minute. Next year is an important year for Olympic qualification. Usually, people only start testing in January, but I think it's better we start now, after or before the Asian Games. We need to see which combination can contribute the first gold medal for the country.