Malaysian pairs ready to rock the world [WATCH]

New Straits Times

26-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The current generation of Malaysian men's badminton doubles who have captured five global titles so far this year have drawn comparison with the golden era of 2007.
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, soon to be installed as world-ranked No. 1, have won the India Open, world No. 3 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have won the Thailand Open and Asian Championships, and world No. 8 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun have captured the Malaysia Masters (on Sunday) and Indonesia Masters in January.
In 2007, Malaysian men's doubles was a major force on the world scene. Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong captured five international titles, including the Malaysia Open and All England, to become world No. 1. Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah lifted the Asian crown, and Chan Chong Ming-Hoon Thien How won the New Zealand Open under Rexy Mainaky's first stint as the men's doubles head coach (2005-2012).
Now with Malaysia having three men's pairs in the world top 10, Rexy, who is now the national coaching director, said the current batch have the potential to match the "2007 era" under new men's doubles head coach Herry IP.
"I hope this set of players can match the era when I first came here where we had five or six pairs who were in the world top 15 or top 10," said Rexy.
"With our new coach (Herry) who had also coached me in my playing days, I'm positive about this new group of seniors like Aaron-Wooi Yik and the others.
"This is the first all-Malaysian final (Wei Chong- Kai Wun beat Aaron-Wooi Yik) in the Malaysia Masters after 12 years and this shows progress.
"But this doesn't mean that we have to be satisfied because we have won many titles. They used to play with speed and power, but now are able to control their emotions and stay focused when things get tough. We must keep this going.
"However, South Korea have a pair (a threat to Malaysia) whom we must be aware of while China have a few, as well as Denmark."
On Sunday at the Axiata Arena, Wei Chong-Kai Wun became the first local pair to win the Malaysia Masters in 12 years since Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah's feat in 2013.
Apart from the established pairs, Malaysia have others like Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King (world No. 22), Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri (No. 41) and world junior champions Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing (No. 58) with the potential to follow in their footsteps.
However, the country's big guns cannot rest on their laurels as South Koreans Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae, who skipped the Malaysia Masters, will return to action, beginning with the Singapore Open starting tomorrow.
World No. 10 Won Ho-Seung Jae have swept two Super 1000 titles, the Malaysia Open and All England, and with new head coach Park Joo Bong leading South Korea again, the Malaysians must be prepared.
Malaysia's doubles stars should capitalise on the momentum and target the Super 1000 titles at the Indonesia Open on June 3-8 and China Open on July 22-27.
A solid outing in these two big tournaments will set up the Malaysians for a genuine title bid at the World Championships in Paris on Aug 25-31.