Tough win: Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik shaking hands with Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani after coming on top in the second round of the Malaysian Open. — S.S. KANESAN/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Olympic Games hopefuls Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi had more than one reason to celebrate after storming into the men’s doubles quarter-finals in the Malaysian Open yesterday.
Both pairs not only won their respective matches but also received a boost as they will enjoy the newly announced benefits that come with the salary package under the Podium Programme.
Yesterday, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh announced the Athlete Employment Contract Scheme (SKPA) that comes with the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Social Security Organisation (Socso) benefits.
“This news is really something positive for all athletes,” said Aaron, who is shaping up well for the Paris Olympics.
The 26-year-old had performed well along with Wooi Yik to beat teammates Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani 21-15, 21-16 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.“We played more consistently than our teammates today (yesterday),” said Wooi Yik.
“We are happy to win but a bit sad to beat our teammates but this is part of sport.”
But it was world No. 12 Yew Sin-Ee Yi who stole the show when they stunned Denmark’s world No. 5 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen 21-10, 11-21, 24-22 in a thrilling match.
It was the professional pair’s first victory over the Danes since beating them in the 2019 China Open.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi had lost twice to Astrup-Rasmussen last year in the World Championships and Denmark Open.
“We knew it will be a tough match against them as they were quite consistent throughout the second half of last year,” said Yew Sin.
“We controlled the first game but we found it hard in the second game as we were playing against the wind and kept lifting the shuttle.
“In the third game, we did better and stayed focused during the crucial points.”
Ee Yi said: “The support from the fans helped us turn around the match when we were trailing.
“This win gives us a lot of confidence and we hope to continue this momentum in the next matches.”
Aaron-Wooi Yik will take on South Korea’s reigning world champions Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae next while Yew Sin-Ee Yi will face Japan’s 2021 world title winners Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi.
