Relentless: Aaron Chia (right) and Soh Wooi Yik in action against Denmark’s Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen during the bronze medal playoff. — Bernama
THE campaign has ended. Now, the campaign has to start.
Although the shuttlers delivered two bronzes in the Paris Olympics and some scintillating, heart-warming performances, there is no time to rest.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have to start planning from now for the next Olympics, says former shuttler Datuk Rashid Sidek.
Other shuttlers need to step up to support bronze medallists Lee Zii Jia and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik if Malaysia hope to end the wait for the elusive gold in badminton in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, he said.
“Overall our players’ performance was okay. At least they managed to contribute two bronze medals,” said Rashid, who also won bronze in the 1996 Atlanta Games.
“It’s not easy to win gold. Everyone wants to win and came well prepared. The important thing was our players showed good fighting spirit. For the next Olympics, BAM need to start planning from now on. More players need to step up to reduce the pressure on the shoulders of Zii Jia and Aaron-Wooi Yik.”
Women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah also managed to reach the semi-finals, creating history, but none of the shuttlers managed to reach the final.
In the mixed doubles, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei also impressed by progressing to the quarter-finals before going down to eventual silver medallists Kim Won-ho-Jeong Na-eun of South Korea. In the women’s singles, Goh Jin Wei gave Korea’s Kim Ga-eun a good fight before narrowly losing in the group stage.
Pearly-Thinaah, Tang Jie-Ee Wei and Jin Wei were all making their Olympic debuts while Zii Jia and Aaron-Wooi Yik were playing in their second Games.
Rashid believes that the shuttlers need to build on this showing for the next Games in four years.
Aaron-Wooi Yik were the sole medallists in badminton in the 2021 Tokyo edition when they also came away with bronze.
Zii Jia and Aaron-Wooi Yik have said they will try again in 2028 to end Malaysia’s elusive wait for the gold and Rashid hopes they can maintain their fitness and performances until then.
Zii Jia and Wooi Yik will be 30 in 2028 while Aaron will be 31.
“All three need to maintain their physical condition until 2028, which is not easy,” said Rashid.
“We also cannot depend on them alone. In the singles, there’s a better chance for two players to qualify for the Olympics, so BAM need to push more players to make the cut.
“In the doubles, it’s harder as two pairs need to be ranked in the top eight to qualify but more pairs still need to go all out to try to make it.
“BAM have quality players but they need to plan well in terms of training system, exposure for tournaments and the most important thing is recovery and injury prevention
“The players also need to be disciplined and look after their bodies,” added Rashid.
Rashid also believes that women’s and mixed doubles also can contribute medals in the next Olympics and both departments should be given the same attention as men’s singles and doubles.
“Based on our women’s and mixed pairs’ performance in Paris, the two departments have a chance to win medals as well in 2028,” said Rashid.
“Pearly-Thinaah and Tang Jie-Ee Wei will be more mature and experienced in 2028. They can fight again for medals.”
