Malaysia Masters: Wei Chong-Kai Wun Seize Opportunity To Overcome 'Tired' Aaron-Wooi Yik
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- The demanding schedule faced by 2022 world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik is believed to have given an advantage to national men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun to overcome their seniors in the Malaysia Masters 2025 final here today, though credit must go for their hardwork.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun, entering as the fifth seeds, clinched their maiden title in the tournament by surprising the fourth seeds in the final at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, with scores of 21-12, 15-21, 21-16, in a match that lasted 50 minutes. This victory redeemed their disappointment of being runners-up in the 2023 edition.
Kai Wun said they seized the opportunity after realizing that Aaron-Wooi Yik had reached two consecutive finals within a week, after a hard-fought victory at the Thailand Open 2025 last week, defeating William Kryger Boe-Christian Faust Kjaer of Denmark, 20-22, 21-17, 21-12 in the final.
"Perhaps their performance was slightly affected and their condition slowed down after playing almost every day lately. We played without pressure and didn't think about champion or runners-up; the important thing was to prioritise our performance today," he told reporters here today.
Wei Chong said the communication aspect on court with his partner has also improved after facing a poor run of form previously.
The 25-year-old also appreciated the role played by national men's doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, who helped strengthen their mental resilience during difficult times.
After winning the Indonesia Masters 2025 by defeating home favourites Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto, 21-11, 21-19 last January, the world's eighth-ranked pair's performance dipped, with early exits in four consecutive tournaments, before enjoying the taste of success today.
Kai Wun, delighted with their first home victory, especially over teammates Aaron-Wooi Yik, hopes to maintain the current momentum for the Singapore Open 2025 (May 27-June 1) followed by the Indonesia Open (June 3-8).
"Playing at home is very special to the point where fans didn't know which side to support, but we are happy because first and second place belonged to Malaysian pairs," he said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
'Fire Dragon' Herry IP to face wrath of Indonesian fans at Istora Senayan
KUALA LUMPUR: The Istora Senayan in Jakarta is a venue most non-Indonesian shuttlers dread — and this week, national men's doubles coach Herry IP could face the full wrath of its passionate crowd. Herry, who once produced some of Indonesia's greatest men's doubles stars, is now plotting their downfall as he attempts to lead Malaysia to their first men's doubles title at the Indonesia Open in 15 years. The man known as the Fire Dragon is no stranger to the Istora — once his favourite battleground. But this time, he returns as the enemy. Since joining the BA of Malaysia (BAM) in February, Herry's impact has been electric, guiding national pairs to four consecutive titles on the World Tour since April. Unsurprisingly, his decision to cross over to Malaysia has not gone down well in Indonesia. With the once-dominant Indonesian pairs struggling for form, some fans are pointing fingers at Herry for their downfall. But the veteran coach insists he has no regrets. "It's normal for a coach to face these tough situations," Herry to Timesport. "I just have to enjoy the atmosphere. I'm not worried about the pressure. I've always said I'm a professional and will give my best to the national men's pairs I'm now coaching." Herry had steered Indonesia's men's doubles to nine home titles before moving to Malaysia. But now his mission is to end Malaysia's long drought — the last success coming from Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari in 2008. There's reason for hope. World No. 3 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun are in fine form ahead of the Super 1000 event, which begins Tuesday. Aaron-Wooi Yik have already bagged three titles this year and are entering their fourth tournament in as many weeks. Fatigue could be a factor as they open against Denmark's world No. 16 Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard before a potential second-round showdown with India's 2023 Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty (No. 27). The Malaysians recently beat the Indian pair in the Singapore Open semi-finals. Wei Chong-Kai Wun, meanwhile, have a more favourable path, beginning with Americans Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith (No. 33), and likely facing compatriots Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King (No. 23) for a place in the quarter-finals. Top seeds and world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, an independent pair, should have little trouble overcoming Taiwan's Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen (No. 20) in their opener. Also flying the Malaysian flag are Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong (No. 28) and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No. 32).

The Star
2 hours 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.


New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Red-hot Aaron-Wooi Yik pocket whopping RM708,905 after stellar run
KUALA LUMPUR: High-flying Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have pocketed a whopping RM708,905 from their last four tournaments, clinching titles in three of them. The world No. 3's latest triumph came at the Super 750 Singapore Open on Sunday, where they took home a handsome US$74,000 (RM314,942). Aaron-Wooi Yik also lifted the Badminton Asia Championships title in April (RM157,438), won the Thailand Open (RM159,705) and finished runners-up at the Malaysia Masters (RM76,820). Their red-hot form could soon propel them to the world No. 1 spot, provided they maintain their consistency. Aaron has repeatedly stressed that winning titles, not chasing rankings, is their priority. "I think aiming for titles is the bigger objective. If we play well, our world ranking will automatically go up," said Aaron during the Malaysia Masters two weeks ago. "We have reached world No. 2 but never No. 1 but that is not our main aim. "Ranking doesn't give a big advantage in a very competitive doubles scene now." True to their word, the Singapore success sees their ranking points surge to 89,870. Current world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are on 91,090, while Denmark's world No. 2 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen sit on 90,411. Aaron-Wooi Yik are now just 1,200 points behind Sze Fei-Izzuddin, and a strong showing at the Super 1000 Indonesia Open, which begins on Tuesday, could finally see them crowned as the new world No. 1. Their career-best ranking remains world No. 2, achieved in January 2023.