Latest news with #BoonHeong
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Boon Heong bets on Zii Jia's spark and Aaron-Wooi Yik's steel at worlds worlds
Experienced: Soh Wooi Yik (right) and Aaron Chia have won two medals in the Olympics and they have showed that they can handle the pressure. — AFP PETALING JAYA: One returns as underdog, the other as past champions. But former great Tan Boon Heong has faith in both men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia and doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to deliver at the World Championships starting on Monday in Paris. The world meet in Paris mark a comeback for Zii Jia and chance to rediscover his spark after five months out with an ankle injury. As for the 2022 winners Aaron-Wooi Yik, it is about proving again why they are Malaysia's most reliable big-stage performers. Boon Heong believes both stories could still end in glory. 'For Zii Jia, the first and second rounds at the worlds will be very important. If he can find a way past these rounds, he could pull off something special,' said Boon Heong. Zii Jia, whose rankings has dropped to No. 52 in the world, will open his campaign against South Korea's world No. 38 Jeon Hyeok-jin. A win could see him go up against China's world No. 4 Li Shifeng for a place in the third round. 'We don't know how is his current physical condition but all the fans are hoping he can get a good result.' The 27-year-old Zii Jia's best performance in the prestigious event so far came in the 2021 edition in Huelva, Spain where he made it into the quarter-finals before going down to Denmark's Anders Antonsen. In the last two editions in 2022 and 2023, Zii Jia lost in the third round. Unlike Zii Jia, Boon Heong says Aaron-Wooi Yik have the knack of rising to the big occasions, notably winning bronze medals in the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics, 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and 2023 world meet in Copenhagen. 'Aaron-Wooi Yik are more confident in major events. Their achievements speak for themselves,' said Boon Heong. 'They have won two medals in the Olympics and they have showed that they can handle the pressure. 'They definitely have a chance to win their second world title, especially with the competition looking open this time.' Boon Heong himself has an impressive record in the big tournaments with Koo Kien Keat. The 37-year-old and Kien Keat won a bronze and silver in the world meet in the 2009 and 2010 editions respectively and captured gold in the 2006 Asian Games. Boon Heong believes that Aaron-Wooi Yik's potential opponents are not as formidable as they were before though and can be beaten. The duo need to navigate a difficult draw with a possible last eight clash against either China's Paris Olympics silver medallists Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang or India's 2022 Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty awaiting. 'Weikeng-Wang Chang and Satwiksairaj-Chirag have not won any titles so far this year,' said Boon Heong. 'The Chinese and Indian pairs are not as strong as they were in the past few years, so Aaron-Wooi Yik have a chance to beat either pair. 'For me, the draw is not important. Whoever they face, they need to stay focused.' For Aaron-Wooi Yik, they are aiming to reach their sixth final this year after claiming the Asian Championships, Singapore Open and Thailand Open and finishing runners-up in the China Open and Malaysian Masters.
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Boon Heong bets on Zii Jia's spark and Aaron-Wooi's steel at world meet
Paris Olympic Games bronze medal winners Lee Zii Jia, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. —AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star PETALING JAYA: One returns as underdog, the other as past champions. But former great Tan Boon Heong has faith in both men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia and doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to deliver at the World Championships starting on Monday (Aug 25) in Paris. The world meet in Paris mark a comeback for Zii Jia and chance to rediscover his spark after five months out with an ankle injury. As for the 2022 winners Aaron-Wooi Yik, it is about proving again why they are Malaysia's most reliable big-stage performers. Boon Heong believes both stories could still end in glory. "For Zii Jia, the first and second rounds at the worlds will be very important. If he can find a way past these rounds, he could pull off something special," said Boon Heong. Zii Jia, whose rankings has dropped to No. 52 in the world, will open his campaign against South Korea's world No. 38 Jeon Hyeok-jin. A win could see him go up against China's world No. 4 Li Shifeng for a place in the third round. "We don't know how is his current physical condition but all the fans are hoping he can get a good result." The 27-year-old Zii Jia's best performance in the prestigious event so far came in the 2021 edition in Huelva, Spain where he made it into the quarter-finals before going down to Denmark's Anders Antonsen. In the last two editions in 2022 and 2023, Zii Jia lost in the third round. Unlike Zii Jia, Boon Heong says Aaron-Wooi Yik have the knack of rising to the big occasions, notably winning bronze medals in the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics, 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and 2023 world meet in Copenhagen. "Aaron-Wooi Yik are more confident in major events. Their achievements speak for themselves," said Boon Heong. "They have won two medals in the Olympics and they have showed that they can handle the pressure. "They definitely have a chance to win their second world title, especially with the competition looking open this time." Boon Heong himself has an impressive record in the big tournaments with Koo Kien Keat. The 37-year-old and Kien Keat won a bronze and silver in the world meet in the 2009 and 2010 editions respectively and captured gold in the 2006 Asian Games. Boon Heong believes that Aaron-Wooi Yik's potential opponents are not as formidable as they were before though and can be beaten. The duo need to navigate a difficult draw with a possible last eight clash against either China's Paris Olympics silver medallists Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang or India's 2022 Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty awaiting. "Weikeng-Wang Chang and Satwiksairaj-Chirag have not won any titles so far this year," said Boon Heong. "The Chinese and Indian pairs are not as strong as they were in the past few years, so Aaron-Wooi Yik have a chance to beat either pair. "For me, the draw is not important. Whoever they face, they need to stay focused." For Aaron-Wooi Yik, they are aiming to reach their sixth final this year after claiming the Asian Championships, Singapore Open and Thailand Open and finishing runners-up in the China Open and Malaysian Masters.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Can Zii Jia survive early rounds in Paris?
KUALA LUMPUR: The straight-talking Tan Boon Heong has raised questions over Lee Zii Jia's competitiveness at the Paris World Championships from Aug 25-31. Boon Heong, a former world No.1 doubles with Koo Kien Keat, said: "Men's singles... that's a question mark. A big question mark. "We don't really know what Zii Jia's form is like right now." The unseeded Zii Jia is unpredictable and is known for crashing out in the early rounds of tournaments on the World Tour. However, Boon Heong also said that the enigmatic Zii Jia is capable of delivering something special if he shows no signs of rustiness in his first two matches in Paris. The independent shuttler is now ranked world No 52 after dropping out of the top 10 after he was sidelined for several months by injury. Zii Jia faces South Korea's world No. 38 Jeon Hyeok Jin in the first round, and if the Malaysian advances, he is likely to meet China's world No. 4 Li Shi Feng in the second round. "He hasn't competed in quite a while, so he definitely needs to regain that match feeling. That's why the first and second round matches will be very important. "If he can get a breakthrough there, then maybe he can go far, he can deliver something special," said Boon Heong. Zii Jia, who won an Olympic bronze medal at the same Paris venue last year, holds a 3-1 head-to-head record against Hyeok Jin but trails 4-2 against Shi Feng. Zii Jia has often proved critics wrong when his back is against the wall, and he looks capable of beating the inconsistent Shi Feng in their projected second round. Zii Jia, whose , could face another Chinese challenger, world No. 11 Lu Guang Zu, in the third round. A win there could spark a dream run for Zii Jia, leading to a potential quarter-final showdown with Japan's world No. 8 Kodai Naraoka, and closer to medal range. Zii Jia has not won a worlds medal, with a quarter-final finish in Huelva, Spain in 2021 being his best showing to date.
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Boon Heong backs Aaron-Wooi Yik to rise to the challenge in Paris
PETALING JAYA: Former shuttler Tan Boon Heong believes that men's doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik's knack of rising to the big occasions gives them a strong chance of capturing their second gold in the World Championships. Aaron-Wooi Yik are hoping to add to their historic 2022 title in the world meet this time from Aug 25-31 in Paris. The world No. 2 pair have proved countless times that they can be counted on to deliver in major tournaments, notably winning bronze medals in the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics, 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and 2023 world meet in Copenhagen. Boon Heong has backed Aaron-Wooi Yik, who have been in fine form this year, to go far in Paris again. "Aaron-Wooi Yik are more confident in major events. Their achievements speak for themselves," said Boon Heong. "They have won two medals in the Olympics and they have showed that they can handle the pressure. "They definitely have a chance to win their second world title, especially with the competition looking open this time." Boon Heong himself has an impressive record in the big tournaments with Koo Kien Keat. The 37-year-old and Kien Keat won a bronze and silver in the world meet in the 2009 and 2010 editions respectively and captured gold in the 2006 Asian Games. For Aaron-Wooi Yik, they are aiming to reach their sixth final this year after claiming the Asian Championships, Singapore Open and Thailand Open and finishing runners-up in the China Open and Malaysian Masters. The duo need to navigate a difficult draw with a possible last eight clash against either China's Paris Olympics silver medallists Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang or India's 2022 Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty awaiting. Boon Heong believes that both their potential opponents are not as formidable as they were before though and can be beaten. Weikeng-Wang Chang and Satwiksairaj-Chirag have not won any titles so far this year. "The Chinese and Indian pairs are not as strong as they were in the past few years, so Aaron-Wooi Yik have a chance to beat either pair," said Boon Heong. "For me, the draw is not important. Whoever they face, they need to stay focused." Meanwhile, Malaysia will also be banking on world No. 3 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Macau Open champions Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi (No. 22) in the men's doubles in Paris.
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Boon Heong: BAM must give Chong Wei more power
PETALING JAYA: Give Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei more power, says former shuttler Tan Boon Heong. He had called on the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to hand Chong Wei more freedom in his role as an independent council member. BAM have appointed the former men's singles world No. 1 and three-time Olympic silver medallist to help realise the national body's 'Tangkis 2030' vision. On Saturday (Aug 16), BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz launched 'Tangkis 2030', which outlines five major targets, including winning the Thomas Cup in 2026, securing a gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and producing world No. 1 players in three out of five categories, and two long-term goals. Boon Heong believes that Chong Wei could play an important role in achieving these goals, but needs to be given more power to share and execute ideas. 'If Chong Wei comes in, he can help BAM, but the association need to give him more power to plan and execute ideas,' said Boon Heong. 'We need to wait and see if he will be given the freedom to make changes. There's no point appointing him if he is only allowed to join meetings. 'He knows A to Z about badminton. So, I hope he can bring about positive changes,' added Boon Heong.
