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New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Wei Chong-Kai Wun target Worlds breakthrough
KUALA LUMPUR: Two years ago, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun made an encouraging debut at the World Championships in Copenhagen, battling into the last 16 before falling to eventual bronze medallists Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang of China. Now, the world No. 7 head to the Paris edition from Aug 25–31 as seventh seeds — older, wiser, and determined to turn promise into podium. "This is the biggest tournament in years for me and Kai Wun," said Wei Chong. "Being seeded might give us a slight advantage, but at this level, even unseeded pairs can be very strong. The most important thing is still to deliver our best performance." The draw has handed them a first-round bye, with their campaign set to begin against France's Popov brothers, Toma Junior and Christo. Wei Chong-Kai Wun boast a 2–0 head-to-head record, most recently winning at the Malaysia Open in January, but know the home crowd could tip the balance. "If we get through, the third round could be against England's Ben Lane-Sean Vendy, who are just back from injury, or Korea's Kim Gi Jung-Kim Sa Rang. We've never beaten the Koreans before, so we hope to perform well this time," said Wei Chong. Should they advance, a potential quarter-final blockbuster looms against world No. 1 Kim Won Ho–Seo Seung Jae — a pair they have yet to beat in two meetings. Encouragingly, the Malaysians pushed the Koreans to three games in their last encounter at the Japan Open. "At the World Championships, every pair is strong, so we shouldn't think too far ahead. We just want to give our best in every match," said Wei Chong. Wei Chong–Kai Wun are the only Malaysian men's pair in the top half of the draw, potentially carrying the nation's medal hopes if their compatriots stumble in the bottom half. "Of course we hope to bring back a medal for Malaysia. But we try not to overthink it," Wei Chong said. Compared to their 2023 debut, Wei Chong believes they have improved in both consistency and maturity. "Our performance has improved — not a huge difference, but definitely a better combination than we were in 2023," he said. "The Chinese and Koreans are still our toughest obstacles, as we've not beaten them yet." History shows that Malaysian men's pairs seeded in the mid-tier can still produce deep runs. Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, the sixth seeds, famously stormed to a historic world title in Tokyo in 2022. A year earlier in Huelva, ninth seeds Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi defied the odds to reach the semi-finals. Go back even further to 2009 in Hyderabad, and eighth seeds Zakry Abdul Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari took bronze alongside second seeds Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong. With a favourable early path and such examples to draw inspiration from, Wei Chong-Kai Wun know that in Paris, anything is possible — especially if they can find their best form when it matters most.
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Wei Chong-Kai Wun ready to answer Herry's title demand
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's doubles Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun are unfazed by coach Herry IP's call for a title and are focused on staying consistent ahead of the Japan Open (July 15-20) and China Open (July 22-27). Herry has challenged his charges to deliver a title at either the Super 750 event in Tokyo or the Super 1000 in Changzhou, and the world No. 7 are ready to step up. Wei Chong-Kai Wun have already bagged two titles this season - the Indonesia Masters and Malaysia Masters, making them the country's second most successful men's pair this year, just behind world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who have won three (Badminton Asia Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open). But despite the pressure, Wei Chong insists their focus is on performance over results. "We shouldn't put too much emphasis on the outcome," he said. "If our performance is good, the results will follow." The men's doubles department has enjoyed a strong first half of the season, but sustaining momentum will be a bigger challenge in the second half. Wei Chong believes mental strength is key. "There's pressure, but that's good for our development," he added.
The Sun
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Wei Chong-Kai Wun focus on performance over titles in Japan and China Open
KUALA LUMPUR: National doubles shuttler Man Wei Chong emphasised that he and partner Tee Kai Wun are prioritising performance rather than chasing titles at the upcoming Japan and China Open tournaments. The pair, who have already secured two titles this season, believe maintaining high-level play will naturally lead to positive results. The 25-year-old shuttler stressed the importance of focusing on their game rather than external pressures. 'We should not be overly concerned about the results. If we maintain our performance, the results will come naturally,' Wei Chong said during a training session at Akademi Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara. Reflecting on their semi-final loss at the Indonesia Open, Wei Chong acknowledged the challenge of competing against a home crowd. 'Of course, the Indonesian fans would support them. We just had to deal with the situation and hopefully, learn from it,' he added. The duo has already tasted success this year, winning the Indonesia Masters in January and the Malaysia Masters in May. National men's doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi has set a target for them to secure at least one title in the upcoming tournaments. The Japan Open will take place in Tokyo from July 15 to 20, followed by the China Open in Changzhou from July 22 to 27.
The Star
03-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Wei Chong gains from time on sidelines with coach Herry
Lessons learned: Man Wei Chong (left) and Tee Kai Wun will play compatriots Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi or France's Eloi Adam-Leo Rossi in the Indonesian Open second round. PETALING JAYA: Man Wei Chong may not have featured in the Singapore Open final last week, but the men's doubles shuttler still came away with invaluable lessons that could serve him well at this week's Indonesian Open. While Malaysians celebrated Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik's title-winning feat, Wei Chong quietly made his own gains after being given the rare opportunity to soak up the experience from the sidelines beside national men's doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi. It turned out to be a priceless experience for the 25-year-old, who witnessed first-hand how Herry broke down the game and delivered crucial advice to Aaron-Wooi Yik. He also had a front-row seat to observe how the Olympic bronze medallists handled the pressure during critical moments against South Korea's Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae. That brief but insightful stint on the bench could prove timely as Wei Chong reunites with partner Tee Kai Wun for the Indonesian Open, which got underway yesterday. As last year's runners-up, they made a confident start to their campaign with a commanding 21-6, 21-11 win over the United States' Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith in the opening round. 'We're happy to be back at Istora Senayan and we hope to do well in this tournament,' said Wei Chong in an interview with BWF. They have also put behind them their title-winning run at the Malaysian Masters two weeks ago, where they edged Aaron-Wooi Yik in a hard-fought final. 'I think the Malaysian Masters is behind us. This is a new week, and we need to keep learning from the top players. Hopefully, we can put in a strong performance,' he added. Awaiting them in the second round are either compatriots Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi or France's Eloi Adam-Leo Rossi, who will square off in another first-round clash.
New Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Wei Chong gains valuable insight from coach's chair
KUALA LUMPUR: Man Wei Chong was handed a rare learning opportunity from the coach's chair during the Singapore Open semi-finals, thanks to national men's doubles coach Herry IP. The Indonesian coaching maestro invited Wei Chong to join him courtside to analyse the semi-final clash between Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty on Saturday. World No. 3 Aaron-Wooi Yik went on to win the match, with Wei Chong even offering tips to his senior compatriots during the tense battle. "Sitting on the coach's chair is another way of learning and developing analytical skills," said Herry. "This is a new approach to help Wei Chong and his partner Tee Kai Wun make better decisions during matches." Wei Chong, who won the Malaysia Masters with Kai Wun last week, had lost to Aaron-Wooi Yik in the quarter-finals in Singapore. The world No. 7 will now turn their focus to the Indonesia Open, which starts on Tuesday in Jakarta. The coaching experience could prove useful, as Wei Chong-Kai Wun may meet the world No. 27 Indian pair in the quarter-finals of the Super 1000 event. For Herry, this method is nothing new. The 61-year-old often included senior players on the coach's chair during his three-decade career leading Indonesia's men's doubles team. His list included top names such as Hendra Setiawan, Mohammad Ahsan and Fajar Alfian — all of whom benefitted from watching matches from the strategic vantage point. Malaysian fans can expect more players, including Aaron, Wooi Yik and Kai Wun, to take their turn on the coach's chair under Herry's guidance in future tournaments.
