PETALING JAYA: Simulation matches. Sparring with Taiwanese. Three training sessions.
No stone have been left unturned in men’s doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik’s preparation during their final push towards the Paris Olympics and it underlines their determination to make a difference this time.
Aaron-Wooi Yik are Malaysia’s best bets for a medal and the pair have been single-minded in the run-up to their second Olympics appearance from July 26-Aug 11.
Wooi Yik however knows all the best preparation will be futile if they fail to translate it into their game.
“The simulation matches we had were of high quality and we had been training hard for a month in the final lap,” said Wooi Yik.
“What’s important now is to replicate our performance in training during the Olympics.”
Wooi Yik was the first to show the intent last month as he chose to stay at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) hostel until their departure to Paris today and had also requested the third training sessions at night.
Aaron, although staying out, has been spending more time at ABM to focus on training and this has seen the pair improve their physical condition tremendously.
Their request to have the world No. 60 Chiang Chen-wei-Wu Hsuan-yi for sparring was also granted by the Road to Gold committee.
The Taiwan pair had been around for a month.
The simulation match between Aaron-Wooi Yik against compatriots Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun was held on Wednesday last week.
One of the courts was set with A boards to resemble the setting at the badminton venue – the Adidas Arena in Porte de La Chapelle – to create the competition atmosphere at the ABM.
Aaron recalled that China Badminton Association (CBA) had transformed a stadium for simulation matches recently.
“We played against Sze Fei-Izzuddin and also Man-Tee during the simulations matches. It gave us the tournament feeling before we head to the Olympics,” said Aaron.
“It may not be not be like what CBA did where the whole stadium was set up like the Paris venue. Could be because of budget but it was still good enough.
“Although Wooi Yik stayed at the hostel, I spent more time at ABM and followed coach Tan Bin Shen’s programme where we had three sessions a day. There is a lot of improvement in terms of our physical condition and fitness.
“The Paris Olympics also feels like playing for the first time as we played at an empty venue without spectators in Tokyo in 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions.”
Both Wooi Yik and Aaron also appreciated the efforts of other pairs in the national team including Sze Fei-Izzuddin, Wei Chong-Kai Wun, Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri and others for sparring with them.
The Olympic-bound squad will travel to Aire-sur-la Lys, a town at the outskirts of Paris to have a 10-day training camp before heading to Paris for the Games.
