PETALING JAYA: It is a feeling of gratitude – more than anything – for Olympian Datuk Cheah Soon Kit after men’s doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik liberated the national shuttlers by winning the country’s first world crown in Tokyo on Sunday.
Soon Kit, who paired off Aaron-Wooi Yik when he was the national doubles coach in 2017, said their achievement would change the perception of Malaysian badminton after failing at the World Championships for such long time.
Soon Kit-Soo Beng Kiang were denied glory by Ricky Subagja-Gunawan in Birmingham in 2003 while Rexy Mainaky and Ricky were the stumbling blocks in 1997 as the Ipoh-born shuttler partnered Yap Kim Hock in the Glasgow final.
Soon Kit, who coached the duo for 13 months before Paulus Firman started training them in 2018, said Aaron-Wooi Yik had great potential but it was too early then to judge how far they could go.
“I feel happy and relieved at the same time that they managed to finally land the world title. So many countries have started winning and even our neighbours Singapore have done so.
“So it was high time for us to end the long wait,” Soon Kit.
“I tried with two different partners but we were unable to achieve it.
“During my time, the tournament was held biannually and we didn’t have too many chances but the players have plenty of chances as it is now held every year except for the Olympic Games years.
“What Aaron-Wooi Yik have done is remarkable and the victory has actually freed all Malaysian shuttlers from the unimaginable pressure of doing well at the major events.
“It is still not going to be easy to win the next major but the duo have shown others the way.”
Soon Kit also added it was good for Aaron-Wooi Yik to achieve it earlier in their careers as it will give them the time to achieve more.
Aaron is 25 while Wooi Yik is a year younger and this would give them a go at more major titles, including the Olympics.
“Age does not matter when it comes to winning the major event but winning at a younger age gives them the advantage.
“There is so much more titles that they can go for. They just need to look after their physical condition and perform well always to stay in contention to play in the major events, especially the Olympics,” added Soon Kit.
