Set for long run on fast lane
Back to first gear: Danish Iftkhar Roslee slowing down to a jog after winning the 200m final at the Super Series MA International Meet. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
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The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Herry hails Aaron-Wooi Yik's fine run as extraordinary
National men's doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: It is rare for players to hit the ground running under the charge of a new coach but doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have shown that they are an exception. And even doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi is surprised with how Aaron-Wooi Yik had turned their game around. On Sunday, Aaron-Wooi Yik captured the Singapore Open by beating a formidable pair in Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae of South Korea to make it one of their best years in terms of winning World Tour titles. It was their fourth final appearance this year and third back-to-back finals. They had won the Asian Championships in April and competed in the Sudirman Cup in China before returning to lift the Thailand Open and finishing as the runners-up at the Malaysian Masters. "They have been playing for three straight weeks and still went on to win the title in is extraordinary," beamed Herry. "I think, there was a drop in their physical form in Singapore and that was expected but they made it up with strong determination to win. I'm proud of them. Aaron-Wooi Yik will begin their campaign in the Indonesian Open in Jakarta on Tuesday (June 3) but Herry is keeping the boys on their feet. "I'm not setting any big targets but I just want them to give their best," added Herry. The world No. 3 will take on Denmark's Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard in the opening round.
The Star
20 hours ago
- The Star
Smashing Aaron-Wooi Yik beat South Korean juggernauts to win Singapore Open
Sheer joy: National men's doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik celebrate after winning. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Men's doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik showed fire in the belly to recover from a game down to lift the Singapore Open title in style. The former world champions fought tooth and nail to beat Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae of South Korea 15-21, 21-18, 21-19 in a fast-paced 65-minute final match to mark an incredible turnaround in their careers this year. There was fear that Aaron may fall apart when the umpire faulted his service twice in the early part of the game but he was not rattled. In fact, he combined superbly with Wooi Yik to launch a series of smashes and smart play to outfox their equally strong opponents. The Singapore Open is their third title this season after winning the Asian Championships in April and Thailand Open last month. Last week, they came close to winning the Malaysian Masters but lost to younger teammates Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in the final. It was also a sweet revenge for the world No. 3 Aaron-Wooi Yik, who train under Herry Iman Pierngadi, after losing to the Korean pair in the semi-finals of the Indian Open in January. Seung-jae, who won the world title with Kang Min-hyuk in 2023, had been in fine form too with his new partner Won-ho but they found it diffcult this time to unsettle the Malaysians, who were solid in the second and third game. The Koreans had captured the Malaysian Open, German Open and All-England this year. Aaron-Wooi Yik will compete at the Indonesian Open in Jakarta next week. RESULTS Men's singles: Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Tha) bt Lu Guangzu (Chn) 21-6, 21-10. Men's doubles: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (Mas) bt Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae (Kor) 15-21, 21-18, 21-19. Women's singles: Chen Yufei (Chn) bt Wang Zhiyi (Chn) 21-11, 21-11. Women's doubles: Kim Hye-jeong-Kong Hee-yong (Kor) bt Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi (Jpn) 21-16, 21-14. Mixed doubles: Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran (Tha) bt Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet (Hkg) 21-16, 21-9.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Dragon boat racers cut through choppy waters
First place finish: Ng (right) is all smiles as he and his team reach the shore after winning a dragon boat race in Tanjung Bungah, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Wading through rough waters while keeping up their stamina was an arduous task, but one Dragon Boat team persevered, reaching the finishing line more than a minute ahead of the rest. Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival with a memorable victory, Penang Municipal Park Rowing Club team captain Ng Wei Liang, 22, said rowing for 4km straight was something new for the team. 'We have participated in various competitions and events, but they are usually 200m or 500m sprints. 'This is our first time taking part in such a lengthy route and the waters were rough, especially around Pulau Tikus island. 'It was a difficult route and with the waves being choppy around the island, coupled with the strong winds, manoeuvring was difficult. 'I am surprised at our speed and happy that we managed to win,' he said, when met at the Penang Chinese Swimming Club in Tanjung Bungah, Penang, yesterday. Ng, whose team raced under the club's banner, clocked in at 18.42mins, while the second-place Penang Titan, clocked in at 19.55mins. Coming in third was Dragon Venture at 22.22mins. Ng said that although the team participated in other Malaysian dragon boat races, this one was special as it was the first time they raced on the actual festival date. 'It is nice that we are racing with different Penang-based teams as well. 'This was a last-minute decision, so it took us a while to find rowers who were available. 'We only managed to have two weeks of training, but it worked out well,' he said. Ng said the team members were pleased with their stamina and coordination. 'I was doubtful we would be able to handle it, especially with limited time for practice, but we are happy that we managed to win,' he added. Penang Chinese Swimming Club president and event organising chairman Victor Tan said that while it was a competition, the celebration was more about bringing Penangites together to celebrate the festival. 'We want them to enjoy the festival on the actual date. 'We had the 300m sprint for the dragon boats as well as other rowing events, including stand-up paddling, canoeing and sculling. 'We had a dumpling-making demonstration as well,' he said. The Dumpling Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, is observed on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. This year, it fell on May 31.
