Rexy wants Malaysia to make winning badminton world titles a habit

New Straits Times

04-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: National coaching director Rexy Mainaky wants Malaysia to make winning at the World Championships a habit, not a one-off.
The former Olympic and world men's doubles champion believes consistent success at the highest level will inspire younger players in the national team to aim higher.
Rexy was speaking about Malaysia's senior men's doubles pairs, who are among the favourites to win the world title in Paris on Aug 25-31.
World No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik ended the nation's long wait for a world title in Tokyo in 2022, and Rexy believes history can repeat itself if the pairs maintain their red-hot form on the World Tour.
Rexy also tipped women's doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, ranked world No. 3, to be potential dark horses in Paris.
Aaron-Wooi Yik will be joined by world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, while independent pair and world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are the hot favourites in Paris.
"The seniors must show the younger pairs that it's not just a dream — we can win the World Championships again," said Rexy at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara on Friday.
"We've already won one, and now we should target more. In Paris, we're looking to Aaron-Wooi Yik, Wei Chong-Kai Wun or even Pearly-Thinaah to deliver.
"Success at that level will show the younger pairs that it's possible — it's something Malaysia has done before."
The national pairs have enjoyed a dream first half of the season.
Aaron-Wooi Yik won three titles — the Badminton Asia Championships in April, Thailand Open in May and Singapore Open in June — while Wei Chong-Kai Wun bagged the Indonesia Masters and Malaysia Masters titles.
Pearly-Thinaah added the Thailand Open title to their resume and finished runners-up at both the Indonesia Masters and Indonesia Open.
Rexy now wants the momentum to continue at the Japan Open (July 15-20) and China Open (July 22-27) as part of their build-up to the World Championships.
"It's easy to become a champion. Staying consistent — that's the real challenge," said Rexy.
"But our players have shown hunger, and that's a good sign. Aaron-Wooi Yik and Wei Chong-Kai Wun have said they want more than what they've achieved. That's the mentality we want — never satisfied with rankings or titles."
He also confirmed that Wooi Yik has recovered from a recent hand issue caused by fatigue and is back in full training.
"Things are looking positive, and we're hopeful for strong results in Japan and China before heading to Paris," added Rexy.