Aaron-Wooi Yik reach Malaysia Masters semi-finals [WATCH]
World No. 3 Aaron-Wooi Yik defeated world No. 16 Kjaer-Sogaard 21-13, 21-19 in the last eight.
They will meet Denmark's world No. 1 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in the last four.
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The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
Aaron-Soh ready to step aside, backing younger pairs for SEA Games
Malaysia men's doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: It is rare for the world No. 2 men's doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to give up the chance to represent the country at the SEA Games in Thailand. But they are prepared to pass the baton to Malaysia's next generation of players, confident in the men's doubles depth to deliver the gold at the biennial Games from Dec 9-20. They can then focus on the World Tour Finals from Dec 17-21, which clashes with the SEA Games. The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are aiming to send their strongest squad to win the gold and Aaron believes they have several capable combinations who can deliver, even without him and Wooi Yik in the line-up. Apart from Aaron-Wooi Yik, Malaysia also have other strong pairs, including world No. 22 Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King and world No. 43 Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri. World No. 7, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun may also have to be on standby for the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou in December as both pairs are currently in the best position to qualify. "I'll be ready, but I'm handing that mission to players like Arif-Roy King or Haikal-Hon Jian, as I have already played in the SEA Games. "This will be a good opportunity and stepping stone for them," said Aaron, who won gold at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines. Last December, BAM had announced their intention to send a strong team to the Thailand Games following a disappointing outing at the 2023 edition in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. On that occasion, BAM fielded a line-up of younger players. Not only did they return without a gold medal, missing their target of one gold, but the women's team also suffered a shock 0-3 defeat to the Philippines in the quarter-finals. Roy King and Hon Jian were both in action in Phnom Penh, but in the mixed doubles. Hon Jian partnered Yap Ling and reached the quarter-finals, while Roy King teamed up with Go Pei Kee Su Yin to make the final before settling for silver. Malaysia's overall haul from the Games was two silvers and four bronzes.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Ranking rise fuels Aidil's ambition
National men's singles shuttler Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin in action while against Taiwan's Huang Yu-kai during the qualifying round of Malaysia Masters at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Professional men's singles player Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin is only 10 spots shy of realising his goal of breaking into the world's top 32. Aidil is currently at No. 42 in the world and is the country's third-best men's singles player behind Leong Jun Hao (No. 25) and Justin Hoh (No. 37). Former Asian champion Lee Zii Jia, despite holding a protected ranking from the Badminton World Federation (BWF), has slipped to No. 52. For Aidil, with just four months left before 2025 comes to a close, he is confident of breaking into the world's top 32, which would in turn allow him to compete in higher-tier tournaments such as the Malaysian Open, expected to be held in January next year. Several tournaments have also been lined up for Aidil in September, including the China Masters in Baoji (Sept 2-7), the Hong Kong Open (Sept 9-14) and the Indonesian Masters (Sept 16-21). However, the Selangor-born shuttler has set his sights on at least reaching the final of a Super 100 event, such as the Malaysia Super 100 in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, from Oct 14-19. This year, Aidil has so far won just one title, which came at the Sri Lanka International Challenge in March. 'In these four months, I have a chance to improve my world ranking and I will give it my all,' said Aidil when met at Sports Affairs in Cheras. 'This year I have one title, but it was only at the International Challenge level. If I can add another, preferably a Super 100 title, it will offer more ranking points even if I only reach the final, and that will help me climb the rankings faster.'' Aidil has also drawn inspiration from China Open finalist Wang Zhengxing, who has steadily climbed to No. 16 in the world and proved his mettle by defeating several top players in the tournament. Among his victims were Kodai Naraoka, Christo Popov and Anders Antonsen before he went down to compatriot Shi Yuqi in the final. Interestingly, just two months before the China Open, Aidil had beaten Zhengxing in the first round of the Thailand Open. 'I admit I was quite surprised to learn that Zhengxing reached the final of the China Open. This is no ordinary tournament as it is a Super 1000 event, and he managed to defeat some top players. 'I also feel it is not impossible for me to do the same, especially since I recently beat him. 'I believe I need a better game plan on court and, at the same time, I must play well. My fitness also needs to improve if I want to compete with top players,' he added.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Aaron hopes to see two all-Malaysian semis at World C'ships
Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia pose after their victory against Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae of South Korea in their men's doubles final match at the Singapore Open badminton tournament in Singapore on Sunday,June 1, 2025. -- Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP PETALING JAYA: 'If possible, I want to see two all-Malaysian men's doubles semi-finals at the World Championships.' That is the wish of world No. 2 Aaron Chia, who hopes that all four Malaysian pairs, including himself and partner Soh Wooi Yik, can make the most of the country's strong presence in the tournament to increase their chances of reaching the semi-finals. Apart from Aaron and Wooi Yik, the men's doubles squad heading to Paris at the end of this month comprise world No. 3 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, and Macau Open champions Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King, who secured their spot at the last minute. Although it is seen as a challenging mission, Aaron, who etched his name in history by winning the 2022 world title with Wooi Yik, believes it is far from impossible given that Malaysia now have among the strongest men's doubles line-ups in the world. If the dream of an all-Malaysian final comes true, the national men's doubles camp will sweep all the medals, including the two bronzes for the losing semi-finalists, as well as the coveted silver and gold. 'I think the men's doubles challenge will not be easy. As you know, Seo Seung-jae-Kim Won-ho were only paired a few months ago and they are already the world No. 1. They are the toughest pair for us. 'Then there are Wei Chong and Kai Wun, and I understand Arif and Roy King have also qualified, so facing our own compatriots might be even tougher. 'I think it would be great if all the semi-final spots are taken by Malaysians. I mean, if all four pairs make it to the last four, we can start preparing to celebrate early (as the title would already be in our hands),' said Aaron when met at Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) Bukit Kiara yesterday. Ironically, when Aaron-Wooi Yik became Malaysia's first badminton world champions three years ago, the country also had four representatives in the men's doubles event. However, the campaigns of the other three pairs ended early, with Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin and Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong bowing out in the second round, while Sze Fei-Izzuddin exited in the third round. The draw for the World Championships will be conducted next Wednesday.
