Top pairs riding high ahead of Paris stint
Country: South Korea
World ranking: 1
Best performance: Making their debuts together Seung-jae captured the title with Kang Min-hyuk in 2023 but has formed an even more potent partnership with Won-ho. The duo, who only combined in January, have been the standout men's doubles pair this year, winning five titles including the prestigious All-England. Their hot form makes them the pair to beat in Paris. Seung-jae will be out to add to his incredible double gold in men's and mixed doubles in 2023.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik
Country: Malaysia
World ranking: 2
Best performance: Champions in 2022
The 2022 champions have found new levels this year under legendary Indonesian coach Herry Iman Pierngadi. Herry has turned Aaron-Wooi Yik into multiple title winners just within six months. They won the Asian Championships, Singapore Open and Thailand Open and finishing second in the China Open and Malaysian Masters. Aaron-Wooi Yik are known to raise their game in major events and expect them to do it again.
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani
Country: Malaysia
World ranking: 3
Best performance: Third round
Have not managed to maintain their best form this year after a stunning 2024 but still won the Indian Open in January and finished runners-up in the Japan Open last month.
At their best, the pair can be formidable and showed signs of returning to top form in Japan. Based on the draw, the independent duo could face Aaron-Wooi Yik in the semi-finals which will ensure a Malaysian representative in the final.
Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto
Country: Indonesia
World ranking: 4
Best performance: Two bronze in 2019 and 2022
The experienced duo have not reached the heights they scaled previously this year but Fajar's memorable short stint with Shohibul Fikri saw them winning the China Open. This has fired up Fajar to do the same with Rian at the world meet. They came close to reaching the final twice before settling for bronze. They are a tough nut to crack if they are on form and will be keen to mark their 11-year partnership by winning their first gold.
Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang
Country: China
World ranking: 6
Best performance: Bronze in 2023
Weikeng-Wang Chang too have not been at their best this year but are capable of rising to the big occasions. They are hungry to win their first world title. The pair came agonisingly close to the Olympic gold a year ago in the same venue before losing narrowly to Taiwan's Lee Yang-Wang Chi-lin in a thrilling final. They never seemed to recover from the heartbreak but will be out to raise their game and make amends in the world meet.
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