Latest news with #KienKeat
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Kien Keat dares Aaron-Wooi Yik to smash his five-title record
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Asian Games champion Koo Kien Keat has urged high-flying Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to stay hungry and keep chasing more titles. The world No. 3 have been in red-hot form, winning three of their last four tournaments. Aaron-Wooi Yik have triumphed at the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC), Thailand Open and most recently the Singapore Open. Their only setback came in the Malaysia Masters two weeks ago, where they finished runners-up to compatriots Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun. Kien Keat, who formed a world No. 1 partnership with Tan Boon Heong, holds the Malaysian record for most men's doubles titles in a calendar year — five in 2007. But with half the World Tour season still to go, Aaron-Wooi Yik are on course to surpass that. However, Kien Keat warned that staying sharp mentally and maintaining their hunger would be key. "This is their best run since becoming world champions in 2022," said Kien Keat. "But they must not get comfortable. Winning one or two titles should never be enough. They need to keep their mindset right if they want to win more." He added that the road ahead will only get tougher. "Opponents are now studying their game. The challenge will intensify, and they must stay a step ahead." Kien Keat credited the pair's improved mental strength and tactical clarity to the arrival of coach Herry IP in February. "They used to hesitate in matches, but Herry has clearly made a difference," he said. "You can see their confidence growing. They now stick to their gameplan, even under pressure, and that's a huge step forward." Aaron-Wooi Yik initially struggled on the World Tour, losing six consecutive finals before breaking through at the Super 750 Denmark Open in 2023. They added the Super 300 Korea Open last year. Now on a roll, they will be eyeing another strong showing at this week's Super 1000 Indonesia Open.
The Star
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
End blame game
Wrong decision?: Critics say if Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were fielded Malaysia may not have lost to Japan in the Sudirman Cup. PETALING JAYA: Stop the blaming game. Former world No. 1 doubles player Koo Kien Keat (pic) has raised concerns over criticisms hurled at the coaching staff and the men's doubles players, unfairly scapegoating them after Malaysia returned empty-handed from the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China. Malaysia lost 2-3 to Japan in the final Group C tie and went down tamely at 0-3 to mighty China in the quarter-finals. National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky and doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi were accused of making an error in selecting Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik instead of the world No. 2 pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to face Japan's Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi in the crucial Group C decider on Thursday. The Japanese pair had been a formidable opponent for Aaron-Wooi Yik, who had lost eight of their previous 10 encounters. In contrast, Sze Fei-Izzuddin had recently defeated the Japanese duo just two weeks earlier at the Asian Championships in Ningbo. Asian champions Aaron-Wooi Yik made a promising start in the match but once again crumbled when Hoki-Kobayashi staged a comeback just as victory seemed within reach. They lost 21-12, 20-22, 21-23, and eventually Malaysia suffered a narrow 2-3 loss. Having missed the chance to top the group, Malaysia were drawn to face 13-time champions China in the last eight. Lack of depth in women's department had always seen Malaysia struggle to make a mark in the Sudirman Cup. Kien Keat believes that every decision made by the coaching staff is the result of thorough discussion and collective decision, and not simply based on past records. He further emphasised that blaming Rexy and Herry for the team's failure is unjust, especially considering that the Sudirman Cup was a team event. And in fact, it is not Malaysia's cup of tea, as they lacked a balanced team. 'Let's be clear, this isn't just about the men's doubles team. It's a team event that includes five different disciplines. If you're selected to play doubles and the team lose, usually you will get the blame. 'But why is the focus on who gets picked for the men's doubles in the first place? If the pair wins, then everyone says the coach made a great call. But if they lose, suddenly it's the coach's fault. 'Every coach has their own reasoning behind the decisions they make. I believe the coach and players discuss these matters thoroughly before finalising the lineup. There's a meeting before the team list is submitted. This is a standard procedure, the coach and players work together to determine who is best suited to play. 'I don't get it. There's no need to be too harsh on the men's doubles team. Yes, they should deliver a point, but what's the point of blaming them if things don't go as planned?' said Kien Keat when contacted. To put things into perspective, Indonesia also took a bold gamble by fielding Putri Kusuma in the quarter-finals despite her poor track record, having lost all eight of her previous encounters against Pornpawee Chochuwong. However, Putri defied expectations by stunning the world No. 6 with a straight-game victory, winning 21-18, 21-14. Her triumph sparked a comeback for the Indonesian team, who went on to seal a 3-1 win and book their spot in the semi-finals. The result also ended Indonesia's medal drought, with their last podium finish coming in Nanning in 2019. For Malaysia, the setback ended their hopes of replicating their bronze-medal achievements from the last two editions in Vantaa in 2021 and Suzhou in 2023.
The Star
21-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Short England stint opens doors for Kien Keat
PETALING JAYA: It was a short stint but former doubles great Koo Kien Keat enjoyed every bit of the action as a guest coach with England. And now two other countries are trying to engage Kien Keat's services under a similar approach. The 39-year-old Kien Keat was full of praises after completing his one-month stint in March, which also saw him managing the doubles players during the All-England in Birmingham. 'It was a first for me and I found this system of having a guest coach quite good,' said Kien Keat, who won the All-England title with partner Tan Boon Heong at the 2007 edition. 'Two countries have communicated their intention of collaborating with me in a similar arrangement. Kien Keat said the presence of legends as coaches albeit short stints would break the monotony of training. 'It also helps a player to vary his or her game and build the player as an all-rounder,' said Kien Keat. 'And I think it works best if a player had been under a same coach for a long time. The presence of another coach, though for a short while, can add value and excitement in his or her game.' Kien Keat said building the trust of the players during the short time would also make all the difference. 'Without the trust, it will be difficult to transfer the knowledge. Three months probably would be ideal but one month is also good enough,' added Kien Keat, who currently works as an event organiser.
